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Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?

February 2, 2026/in Getting Started/by Eric Radtke

Choosing an online ground school is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make as a student pilot. A quick search will turn up plenty of “best ground school” lists and AI-generated summaries, but those superficial answers rarely explain what actually matters once flight training begins. Learning styles vary, goals differ, and the right choice depends on more than a few bullet points.

Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List

January 30, 2026/in Having fun, News/by Eric Radtke

Seaplane flying challenges pilots to think differently—about wind, water, and judgment. It’s a rewarding blend of skill, awareness, and freedom that belongs on every pilot’s bucket list.

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?

February 2, 2026/in Getting Started/by Eric Radtke

Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List

January 30, 2026/in Having fun, News/by Eric Radtke

Seaplane flying challenges pilots to think differently—about wind, water, and judgment. It’s a rewarding blend of skill, awareness, and freedom that belongs on every pilot’s bucket list.

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Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?

February 2, 2026/in Getting Started/by Eric Radtke

The best course goes beyond written test prep.

Choosing an online ground school is one of the first and most important decisions you’ll make as a student pilot. A quick search will turn up plenty of “best online ground school” lists and AI-generated summaries, but those superficial answers rarely explain what actually matters once flight training begins. Learning styles vary, goals differ, and the right choice depends on more than a few bullet points.

Still, when student pilots search for “the best online ground school,” or “what online training should I choose,” they’re usually asking this question: Which course will prepare me to pass the written test; help me succeed in the airplane during flight training; and allow me to walk into my checkride prepared?

To answer that, it helps to define what “best” actually means.

In This Article:

What Makes an Online Ground School “The Best”?
A Closer Look at Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course
How Sporty’s Measures Up to the “Best Ground School” Criteria
Flight Maneuver Training
From Written Test to Checkride Confidence
Who Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course Is Best For
Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for You?
Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Survey

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What Makes an Online Ground School “The Best”?

A good ground school helps you pass the written test. A great one supports your entire training journey from first solo to checkride and beyond. Based on instructor experience and student outcomes, several factors consistently matter most.

1) Instructional Quality

The best courses are developed by experienced CFIs and peer-reviewed.

The best ground schools are:

Developed by experienced CFIs and peer-reviewed
Aligned with FAA publications and the Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
Updated regularly as training standards and technique evolve

2) FAA Knowledge Test Preparation

Effective test prep goes beyond rote memorization:

Practice questions and study sessions reinforce understanding
Written test prep supports flight training and checkride success
The endorsement process is clear and objective

3) Learning Tools Beyond Video

Modern ground schools need more than video lessons.

Modern ground schools need more than video lessons:

Tools that are customizable and identify weak areas
Summaries and support tools for retention
Flexible study options for different learning styles

4) Flight Maneuver Training and Practical Application

Ground school should directly support flying:

Visual, step-by-step maneuver training
Instructor commentary and insights into common errors
Clear links between ground lessons and in-airplane application

5) Checkride and Oral Exam Preparation

The best programs continue well beyond the written test:

Scenario-based training
Delivery that explains concepts, not just gives answers
Training that builds confidence and a plan for continued proficiency

A Closer Look at Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course

Sporty’s has been a trusted name in pilot training for decades, and its Learn to Fly Course is one of the most widely used online ground schools in the world. Designed as a complete training system, the course provides lifetime access and updates at no additional cost.

The current 2026 edition reflects a shift toward more immersive instruction, with expanded flight maneuver training and aviation-specific AI tools that support students throughout their training experience.

How Sporty’s Measures Up to the “Best Ground School” Criteria

Instructor-Led, Real-World Training

Sporty’s course content is developed and maintained by experienced flight instructors, with lessons aligned to FAA publications and the ACS. The emphasis is on understanding why concepts matter, not just memorizing rules and numbers.

FAA Knowledge Test Prep That Builds Understanding

Written test prep is integrated throughout the course, not treated as a standalone. Students earn their FAA knowledge test endorsement by completing structured practice exams that reinforce learning and mimic actual FAA knowledge tests.

Modern Learning Tools Designed for Pilots

One of Sporty’s standout strengths is its aviation-specific AI tools. Unlike generic chatbots, these are built and tested by instructors to support pilot training.

Students can:

Use ChatFAR to ask any FAR-related question and get plain-language explanations
Use ChatDPE to practice interactive Q&A sessions to mirror a real FAA checkride
Use ChatCFI to ask any aviation question and get in-depth answers with helpful links

These tools function like an on-demand virtual instructor.

Flight Maneuver Training

The 2026 course introduces new 4K flight maneuver videos covering key private pilot tasks, including slow flight, stalls, steep turns, and more. Instructor-focused segments break each maneuver down step by step, highlight common mistakes, and explain examiner expectations.

From Written Test to Checkride Confidence

After completing the FAA knowledge test, students can upload their results to receive a custom ACS-based study guide. Missed topics are decoded and linked directly to course content—an especially valuable tool for oral exam prep.

Who Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course Is Best For

Sporty’s tends to work especially well for:

Student pilots who want depth, not shortcuts
Pilots balancing training with busy work, school, or family schedules
Learners who benefit from structured review and modern tools

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for You?

The “best” online ground school depends on how you learn and what you value most. Some students prioritize speed over traditional instruction, while others want the most comprehensive training possible.

For pilots looking for trusted, instructor-led content; strong FAA knowledge test preparation; modern tools that support real learning; and dedicated checkride prep, Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course sets the bar. It’s available for $299 and includes lifetime access and unlimited updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sporty’s a good online ground school for first-time student pilots?

Yes. The course is designed for students with no prior experience and progresses logically, with strong instructor guidance and simple, visual explanations.

Does Sporty’s include a written test endorsement?

Yes. Students receive their FAA knowledge test endorsement by completing the required video training and practice tests within the course.

Is Sporty’s ground school updated regularly?

Yes. The Learn to Fly Course is updated continually with questions and content, and all updates are included free for existing users.

Can Sporty’s help with oral exam and checkride prep?

Yes. ACS-based review tools, AI features like ChatDPE and ChatCFI, lesson summaries, and plain-language explanations support oral exam and practical test preparation.

Can I access the course on multiple devices?

Yes. The course is available on iPad, iPhone, Android, web, and smart TVs, with progress synced automatically via the Sporty’s Pilot Training app.

Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List

January 30, 2026/in Having fun, News/by Eric Radtke

Most pilots reach a point where flying becomes second nature. You know the flows, you know the airspace, and you anticipate what’s coming next. The good landings far outnumber the not-so-good. That’s not a bad thing—it’s proficiency. But it’s also when many pilots start looking for something that challenges them to think a little differently. Seaplane flying does exactly that.

Seaplane flying challenges pilots to think a little differently.

Flying on water forces you to slow down, look outside more, and make decisions based on what you see instead of what’s painted on the runway. Wind matters more. Surface conditions matter more. Judgment matters more. The airplane hasn’t changed—but the environment has, and so has the way you fly it.

That’s why so many pilots eventually put a seaplane rating on their “someday” list. Maybe because it feels exotic, but also because it sharpens skills that carry over to every other kind of flying.

Flying Where the Runway Doesn’t Exist

Water is never static. It moves, reflects, deceives, and demands respect. Seaplane pilots don’t just land on it—they read it as part-mariner, part pilot.

That’s part of what makes seaplane training so valuable, even beyond the rating itself. You learn to evaluate conditions visually instead of relying on pavement markings and how to anticipate how wind, surface texture, and obstacles interact. Few maneuvers illustrate this better than glassy water landings.

With no wind and a mirror-smooth surface, depth perception disappears. The water offers no visual cues. What looks calm and inviting can quickly become unforgiving if the approach isn’t disciplined and precise.

In the video above, you’ll see how a proper glassy water landing relies on planning, power, pitch, and patience—holding a precise attitude, managing descent rate, and resisting the urge to flare. It’s one of the clearest examples of how seaplane flying sharpens a pilot’s judgment.

Training That Goes Beyond the Checkride

Filmed on location in Florida, Maine, and Alaska, and hosted by aviation legend, Patty Wagstaff, the new Seaplane Rating Course from Sporty’s shows seaplane flying as it really happens—on moving water, in changing conditions, and in some of the most beautiful flying environments in the world.

The training walks pilots from foundational skills like taxiing, takeoffs, and landings, into more advanced territory:

Glassy and rough water operations
Confined areas and river flying
Flap management and hull speed awareness
Docking, beaching, and securing a seaplane

These aren’t abstract concepts. They’re practical techniques rooted in experience—the kind of knowledge pilots don’t always find in a checklist or POH.

The training walks pilots from foundational skills like taxiing, takeoffs, and landings, into more advanced territory.

Learning from Experience—And Enjoying the View

One of the unique aspects of the course is its 360°/VR Adventure Flying module. These aren’t lessons or tests. They’re immersive flights designed to let pilots simply experience seaplane flying.

From classic floatplanes in Alaska to unique aircraft in unforgettable settings, the adventure chapters offer a front-row seat to real-world seaplane operations and a behind-the-scenes look at how the course was created. It’s also provides an opportunity to relax, observe, and absorb.

It’s the kind of content that reminds you why you started flying in the first place.

The Course includes immersive flights designed to let pilots simply experience seaplane flying.

An Aspiration Worth Chasing

Not every pilot will earn a seaplane rating. But many will find themselves drawn to it—by the challenge, the scenery, and the chance to fly in a way that feels both demanding and deeply rewarding.

If you’ve ever looked at a quiet lake and imagined what it would be like to lift off from its surface, this kind of training isn’t just educational—it’s an invitation.

Learn More

The Seaplane Rating Course is available for $99 at Sportys.com and includes lifetime access and updates. The content is available on all of your devices via the Sporty’s Pilot Training app.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?

Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?

Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for Private Pilots?

What Makes an Online Ground School “The Best”?

A Closer Look at Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course

How Sporty’s Measures Up to the “Best Ground School” Criteria

Flight Maneuver Training

From Written Test to Checkride Confidence

Who Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course Is Best For

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Survey

What Makes an Online Ground School “The Best”?

A Closer Look at Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course

How Sporty’s Measures Up to the “Best Ground School” Criteria

Flight Maneuver Training

From Written Test to Checkride Confidence

Who Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course Is Best For

Is Sporty’s the Best Online Ground School for You?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sporty’s a good online ground school for first-time student pilots?

Does Sporty’s include a written test endorsement?

Is Sporty’s ground school updated regularly?

Can Sporty’s help with oral exam and checkride prep?

Can I access the course on multiple devices?

Why Seaplane Flying Belongs on Every Pilot’s Bucket List

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