GROUND SCHOOL CLASSES

CLASS IS IN SESSION

AT AERODYNAMIC


We offer a new style of Ground School – one designed to prepare you for the knowledge to pass the checkride (the final flight test) and judgment required to be a safe, competent pilot capable of making informed decisions.

Each class will go in depth on Tasks in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which are the standards you must meet or exceed during the final examination (checkride) to earn your pilot license.

These courses will develop your understanding of what to study, teach you the expectations of knowledge, skill and judgment to become a private / sport or instrument pilot and prepare you for the oral portion of the checkride.

Upcoming class schedule

Call our office to enroll today

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A small propeller aircraft with the registration N712ME on a grassy tarmac, with a man in the cockpit wearing headphones and sunglasses, surrounded by residential houses in the background.

Why take A class?

This class is a cost-saving alternative to much of the ground instruction you will need with your instructor. It is also a great way to meet other students and develop friendships with people of all ages going through the same experience you are. We recommend attending class as you begin flight training or concurrently if you’ve already begun flying.

Class will be taught by our flight instructors, all of whom are actively teaching both flight & ground training with us.

These courses are strongly encouraged if you or someone you know will be obtaining either a Private/Sport Pilot Certificate or an Instrument Rating.

Choose your CLASS

Popular

Sept 20 - Nov 22, 2025

$330

Private Pilot

Ground School

Learn more

DATES - TBD

$330

Instrument rating

Ground School

Learn more
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Former Student

Graham’s ground school is the best! He is encouraging, patient, and has a way to make the material interesting and easy to retain. His instruction helped me pass the private pilot written exam with a 93%.”

Private Pilot

Ground School

$330

Class will be from 9 am to 12 pm beginning on Saturday, September 20, 2025 and runs through November 22. This session will last 10 weeks. Please sign up through our San Jose office. The course will cost $330 total or $40 per class for drop-in attendance.

Teacher: Stage Check Instructor Graham Harbman, a former Navy pilot.

  • Introduction to pilot training, pilot qualifications, how to use FAA and other resources

  • Aircraft systems, equipment malfunction, and emergency operations

  • Performance, limitations, and weight & balance

  • Airworthiness requirements, FAA regulations, and NTSB

  • Aerodynamics, spin awareness, human factors, aeronautical decision making, and aeromedical factors

  • Airspace, ATC Communication, and collision & wake turbulence avoidance

  • Weather theory

  • Weather resources and application to local training and cross-country flight planning

  • Cross-country flight planning, pilotage, dead reckoning, and night operations

  • Navigation systems, radar services & final review

Cost is for the entire course, books and materials not included, or you may take individual classes for $40 per session. You can join the class at any point and continue through the next session, or simply drop in for sessions that interest you. To get the most out of the class, some homework and studying is required.

Please call or email the front desk to sign up for either in-person or virtual class at (408) 320-9614 or  info@aerodynamicaviation.com.

Instrument Rating

Ground School

$330

Class dates are 1PM to 4PM and to be determined for the 2025 season. This session will last 10 weeks. Please sign up through our San Jose office once available. The course will cost $330 total or $40 per class for drop-in attendance.

Teacher: Gold Seal CFII Thao Do

    • Introduction to Instrument Flying

    • IFR Resources

    • Pilot Qualifications, Currency, Proficiency

    • Flight Instruments

    • Instrument Scanning

    • Basic Attitude Instrument Flying

    • Partial Panel

    • Unusual Attitude

    • Big Picture: IFR Flying Structure

    • IFR Clearance

    • VOR, Track and Intercept Radials

    • DME Arc

    • Instrument Landing System (ILS)

    • Localizer (LOC)

    • Localizer Type Directional Aid (LDA)

    • Global Positioning System (GPS)

    • Area Navigation (RNAV)

    • LPV, LP

    • LNAV/VNAV, LNAV, LNAV+V

    • Holding Patterns

    • Procedure Turn

    • Circling Approach

    • Missed Approach

    • Departure, Enroute, Arrival

    • Low Altitude vs High Altitude Operations

    • IFR Cross Country Flight Planning

    • IFR Meteorology: Weather Theory, Weather Services

    • Clouds, Visibility, Air Masses, Fronts, Icing, Thunderstorm

    • Aeronautical Decision Making

    • IFR Human Factors

    • Spatial Disorientation

    • CRM

    • Risk Management

    • Instrument Malfunctions

    • Loss Communication Scenarios

    • IFR Emergencies

Cost is for the entire course, books and materials not included, or you may take individual classes for $40 per session. You can join the class at any point and continue through the next session, or simply drop in for sessions that interest you. To get the most out of the class, some homework and studying is required.

Please call or email the front desk to sign up for either in-person or virtual class at (408) 320-9614 or  info@aerodynamicaviation.com.