Private & Commercial Ground School — 1-on-1 with a CFI
Whether you're preparing for your Private Pilot knowledge test, working toward your Commercial certificate, or just trying to nail down a topic that hasn't clicked yet — I offer focused, one-on-one ground school sessions tailored to exactly where you are in your training.
As a Certified Flight Instructor with hands-on experience in the Cessna 172, I teach concepts the way they actually apply to flying — not just for passing a test. Sessions are flexible, conversational, and move at your pace.
What we can cover:
Aerodynamics & aircraft systems (C172-specific)
Weather, meteorology & TFRs
Navigation, airspace & ATC procedures
FAA regulations (14 CFR Parts 61 & 91)
Weight & balance and aircraft performance
Aeronautical decision making & crew resource management
Written test prep & practice question review
And more!
Who this is for:
Student pilots preparing for the Private Pilot
Pilots building toward their Commercial certificate
Anyone struggling with a specific topic who wants a focused deep-dive
Students who want instruction aligned to FAA ACS standards and real checkride expectations
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Held Pilot Certifications*
CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor)
Commercial ASEL (Airplane Single Engine Land)
Commercial AMEL (Airplane Multi Engine Land)
Complex Endorsement
Training Stages (Can offer)
Private Pilot License (Certificate) - PPL
Commercial Pilot License (Certificate) - CPL
Aircraft Experience (Instructed in)
C172S
Aircraft Experience (Piloted)
C172S
PA-44
Live Training Types
Online Ground School Instruction
Flight Planning and Meteorology
Checkride Prep
Time Zone
Mountain Standard Time
Rates
$30/hour
Ground School Programs Experience
King Schools
Gleim Aviation
Pilot Institute
Sporty's
Finer Points
Flight Sim Experience
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS)
Location
Reviews (0)
About
Hello, I'm Ryan D.
My path to aviation was anything but direct. I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a pre-med psychology major convinced I was headed toward medicine. However, during my senior year I caught the flying bug and never looked back.
After graduating UIUC, I went straight into flight training while balancing working in a hospital. What began as a passion quickly became a profession, and now I am almost done with my flight training. Currently working on CFII.
The psychology background hasn't gone to waste either. Understanding how people learn, process information under pressure, and make decisions in high-stakes environments makes me a better instructor. Flying is as much a mental game as it is a physical skill, and I bring that perspective to every session.
My pre-med coursework pushed me deep into physics, chemistry, and biology. Subjects that turned out to be far more relevant to aviation than I ever expected. That foundation gives me the ability to break down complex aerodynamic and physiological concepts in a way that actually makes sense to student pilots.
If you're a student who's ever felt overwhelmed by the volume of ground knowledge required for your certificate, you're not alone, and you've come to the right place.
My path to aviation was anything but direct. I graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as a pre-med psychology major convinced I was headed toward medicine. However, during my senior year I caught the flying bug and never looked back.
After graduating UIUC, I went straight into flight training while balancing working in a hospital. What began as a passion quickly became a profession, and now I am almost done with my flight training. Currently working on CFII.
The psychology background hasn't gone to waste either. Understanding how people learn, process information under pressure, and make decisions in high-stakes environments makes me a better instructor. Flying is as much a mental game as it is a physical skill, and I bring that perspective to every session.
My pre-med coursework pushed me deep into physics, chemistry, and biology. Subjects that turned out to be far more relevant to aviation than I ever expected. That foundation gives me the ability to break down complex aerodynamic and physiological concepts in a way that actually makes sense to student pilots.
If you're a student who's ever felt overwhelmed by the volume of ground knowledge required for your certificate, you're not alone, and you've come to the right place.