Gold Seal Online Ground School
Gold Seal Ground School is a long-established online pilot training program (founded in 2006 by Master CFI Russ Still) that now boasts over 350,000 registered pilots. It offers FAA knowledge test preparation for all levels: Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial, Rusty Pilot (flight-review refresher), and Remote Pilot (Part 107 drone) courses. The program promises a comprehensive, FAA-aligned syllabus delivered through highly interactive multimedia lessons.
Ground School for Student, Instrument, and Beyond
Gold Seal caters to every stage of a pilot’s journey. Its flagship Private Pilot course is ideal for ab-initio students. For those aiming higher, it also offers an Instrument Pilot Ground School and a new Commercial Pilot Ground School. There is a specialized Rusty Pilot course designed as a flight-review-style refresher for pilots returning after a long break. Additionally, Gold Seal provides a Remote Pilot (Part 107) course for drone operators.
Student Success and Satisfaction
Gold Seal boasts high completion and pass rates (backed by its 100% guarantee). Students pay a one-time fee and Gold Seal pledges “pass or we pay”—meaning if you complete the course but fail the FAA test, Gold Seal reimburses the exam fee.
In pilot reviews, users frequently report high scores on the FAA written test after Gold Seal study. These successes came with minimal prior experience. Reviewers also praise the instructors: one noted the staff has “real passion for teaching” and emphasizes understanding rather than rote facts. In sum, Gold Seal often receives near-perfect recommendation rates and repeatedly earns high scores for user satisfaction.
Expert-Led Instruction
The program content is developed and delivered by highly qualified instructors. Founder Russ Still’s credentials (ATP, CFI/CFII, FAA Gold Seal instructor, eight-time Master CFI) set a high bar. In practice, Gold Seal’s courses list “Instructor: Multiple,” meaning lessons are presented by a team of CFIs (many with Master CFI awards). These instructors ensure the content is up-to-date and pedagogically sound.
Gold Seal's mission is to make aviation education enjoyable and accessible while fostering a community of safe, confident pilots through our interactive online training.
Interactive Features & Teaching Approach
Unlike passive video lectures, Gold Seal’s lessons are highly interactive. Many of the videos include interactive content that allows you to reinforce your knowledge as you go. The program employs rich visual aids and animations – in fact, Gold Seal advertises “industry-leading 3D animations” to immerse the learner in a virtual cockpit environment. These multimedia features make abstract concepts (like aerodynamics and navigation) tangible and engaging. As a result, students report the experience is “easy and fun to understand” with “a lot of unique tools” aiding comprehension. Instructors monitor progress online, and the system archives every quiz so both student and instructor can track weak areas.
Gold Seal Ground School's website
Why Gold Seal stands out among Online Ground Schools
Gold Seal Online Ground School offers a richly interactive, instructor-led curriculum that many pilots find both effective and enjoyable. Its combination of multimedia lessons, regular progress tracking, and generous guarantees gives students confidence. In all programs, Gold Seal allows students to sample free lessons before buying, and then grants lifetime access to the full curriculum. In summary, its catalog covers the FAA’s Private/Instrument/Commercial exams as well as ancillary courses, making it a one-stop solution for pilot ground training.
Earn FAA WINGS Credit!
Earn free FAA WINGS credit on approved courses when you print the course Certificate of Completion. This valuable credit provides many benefits including Flight Review credit, possible reduction in insurance rates, and the award of Basic, Advanced, and Master Wings from the FAA.