Private Pilot Ground School Overview

Epic Flight Academy offers a step-by-step process for becoming a pilot. After being accepted as an Epic flight cadet, the first course you will take is Ground School. Classes are typically held for 8 weeks in the main classroom at Epic Flight Academy for 2.5 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Captain Judy Rice is your instructor. However, during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are providing ground school online. The online course lasts 12 weeks, and you can complete it from the comfort of your home.

About Ground School

Epic’s Private Pilot Pilot Course Ground School is taught in conjunction with our Virtual Flight Academy and Aviation Skills Development flight simulator instruction. We literally teach it “on the ground” instead of “in the airplane,” which is why it’s called “Ground School.” During this time, however, you will also take flight lessons. This way, you can apply what you’re learning in the classroom inside the airplane. We believe in teaching theory and practice at the same time. Learning aviation terminology and concepts from the textbook is important, but it’s also important to experience these things firsthand.

Topics Taught in Ground School

Ground School provides the basic knowledge you need to become a licensed pilot, so it covers a broad range of topics. Whether you’re a domestic student or an international student, you’ll want to learn the best study skills, which we teach you. Because the course is only 8 weeks long, you will want to make the most of every day. So, after class, you will want to review and practice the material we’ve covered. In Ground School, we teach the basics of flight training, and we prepare you for your FAA tests. We help you study and prepare for these important milestones. Epic’s Ground School provides the foundation that ensures your flight training success. Here are the topics you will learn about:

• aircraft systems
• instruments
• airplane parts
• aerodynamics
• Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
• aeronautical decision-making
• aeromedical factors (e.g., hypoxia, motion sickness)
• airport operations
• airspace
• weather theory
• services
• aircraft performance
• weight and balance
• navigation
• sectional charts
• NOTAMs
• weather charts
• runway diagrams

While attending Ground School, you can also receive additional instructional support if needed, such as one-on-one ground school instruction covering specific topics. For international students, we can also provide English tutoring to support your Aviation English skills, if needed. Once you successfully complete your pilot training at Epic, you are certified by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) to IACO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Level IV English. We welcome students of all nationalities. Aviation connects the world!

Success in Ground School

We have found that our students are here because they have a dream to become a pilot, and we love teaching people how to fly! With your enthusiasm and our knowledge, you will learn the Ground School material quickly. All of our instructors are highly qualified not only in aviation, but also in teaching methods. They use every excellent educational strategy to make learning easy. We take great pride in our students’ success rates, which is why you will never be just a face in a classroom. We get to know you personally and become a true partner in your success. When you pass your FAA written exam, we are right there to celebrate with you!

View Ground School Schedule.

Schedule Options

Ground school lasts four weeks. Flight students have the option to attend day classes or night classes, which run Monday-Friday for 2.5 hours. Day classes are held from 1330 to 1600 (1:30 pm to 4:00 pm). Night classes are held from 1730 to 2000 (5:30 pm to 8:00 pm).

Meet Your Ground School Instructor

Luke Bazel works as a flight instructor and has had aviation in sight for as long as he can remember. Being raised under the final approach path of runway 29 into New Smyrna Beach, Luke learned very quickly he wanted to become a pilot. After completing his Associate’s degree, he chose to begin his flight training at Epic in September 2020. He has completed all of his flight training here at Epic Flight Academy. When Luke is not flying, he spends his time surfing, skateboarding, and playing guitar. Luke hopes to bring fun and excitement into aviation learning as he helps new students follow their dreams and pursue their passions

After Ground School

After you complete Ground School, your Private Pilot License training continues with your Certified Flight Instructor. You are on your way!

“Sometimes, flying feels too godlike to be attained by man. Sometimes, the world from above seems too beautiful, too wonderful, too distant for human eyes to see…” -Charles A. Lindbergh