Hello gang, I took my ground school at my local community college.
There might also be a coastline community college in your area.... it's a college that has classroom instruction in different buildings, and or schools... (eg. high schools, grammer schools...etc.), with one facillity acting as the administration for enrollment. It was cheaper than the Local FBO at JWA airport. I took the actual flying instruction through the connections of the ground instructor. There is a lot to learn, and you have to love the books... but it is well worth it when you solo that first time. Try to schedule your flight instruction the same day as your ground school class.... or the day after, that way you can put what you've learned to use , while it's fresh in your mind. I took both of my lessons on Saturdays. I also waited until I had at least 10 hours of ground instruction under my belt before I climbed into the left seat of the plane. You have to have a good grasp on the theory of flight, before you can put it to use in the practial realm. The Cessna 152 is cheaper than the 172. You can get checked out in larger planes after you get the basics down first, so stick with the 152 for your initial flight training. After I passed my FAA check ride... I got checked out in a Piper Warrior, and I love the low wing aircraft.... it makes it easier to see the runway while turning from downwind to base, and then to final leg of the approach to landing, since the wing drops out of the way and you can see where you're turning to ... unlike a high wing aircraft (Cessna) that drops to blocks your view when turning... something to think about! Don't be afraid to ask questions from your instructor about things that aren't clearly understood. and don't be intiminated to change to another instructor if there's a personality conflict.... I switched instructors three times.... until I got with one that I felt could communicate the lessons. There are some great pilots out there.... but they lack communicating skills... and are not the best at teaching. Stick with it.... practice what you've learned... there's nothing better than becoming a pilot!
