This curriculum is structured around 14 CFR §61.105(b) and prepares students for the FAA Private Pilot Airplane Airmen Knowledge Test (PAR). All 12 required knowledge areas are covered with direct reference to the applicable regulation.
Private Pilot Ground Training - Course Outline
Structured around 14 CFR §61.105 for Private Pilot certification.
12 modules · 32 total instructional hours
| # | Subject Area | Reference | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Applicable FAA Regulations Pilot certification requirements, privileges, limitations, and currency requirements for private pilots. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(1) | 3 |
| 2 | Accident Reporting Requirements NTSB notification and reporting requirements following aircraft accidents and incidents. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(2) | 1 |
| 3 | Use of the Aeronautical Information Manual and FAA Advisory Circulars Navigation of official FAA publications including the AIM, NOTAMs, and applicable Advisory Circulars. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(3) | 2 |
| 4 | Aeronautical Charts for VFR Navigation Sectional chart reading, pilotage, dead reckoning, and GPS navigation for VFR flight. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(4) | 4 |
| 5 | Aviation Weather and Sources Weather theory, METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, winds aloft forecasts, and critical weather avoidance including windshear. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(5) | 4 |
| 6 | Safe and Efficient Aircraft Operations Collision avoidance, wake turbulence, stall awareness, and traffic pattern operations. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(6) | 3 |
| 7 | Density Altitude Effects of density altitude on aircraft performance, takeoff distance, and climb rate. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(7) | 2 |
| 8 | Weight and Balance Weight and balance calculations, CG limits, loading schedules, and effects on aircraft handling. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(8) | 3 |
| 9 | Aircraft Performance Performance chart interpretation, takeoff/landing distances, cruise performance, and fuel planning. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(9) | 3 |
| 10 | Preflight Action and Obtaining Runway Information Preflight weather briefing, NOTAMs, TFRs, and obtaining current runway/airport information. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(10) | 2 |
| 11 | Aeronautical Decision-Making and Judgment DECIDE model, hazardous attitudes, risk management, IMSAFE checklist, and crew resource management principles. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(11) | 3 |
| 12 | Physiology of Flight Hypoxia, hyperventilation, spatial disorientation, carbon monoxide poisoning, and high-altitude flight considerations. | 14 CFR §61.105(b)(12) | 2 |
| Total instructional hours | 32 | ||
Supplemental reference materials
The following FAA publications are used throughout the course. All are available free of charge from the FAA website.
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) · FAA-H-8083-25
- Airplane Flying Handbook · FAA-H-8083-3
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) · current edition
- Aviation Weather (AC 00-6) · FAA Advisory Circular
- Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45) · FAA Advisory Circular
Students are not required to purchase textbooks. All required reference material is either provided in the student portal or available free from the FAA.
How students work through the material
Each module begins with assigned reading from the applicable FAA publication, followed by instructor-led instruction. Each module concludes with a multiple-choice knowledge check. Students must score 70% or higher on each module check before proceeding — the same standard required on the FAA knowledge test.
Practice tests covering the full 60-question FAA test format are available in the student portal after the foundational course blocks.