The club has no formal ground instruction classes. Students are expected to study the references suggested in the lesson plans prior to the lesson. Just showing up on the weekends is not enough. If you expect the instructor to cover the information in detail, you will find that it cuts into the time available for flying. If you read the information you should be familiar enough to pick up the rest quickly. Do feel free to ask the instructor about anything that you are not clear about.

For the written test, there are a variety of home study courses available in the form of books, online courses, internet study websites, CDROM, and video courses. Ask the instructors and other students what they have had good luck with as they change constantly. The most effective courses have you answer the actual questions from which the FAA makes up tests and explain why the FAA thinks the selected answer is correct or incorrect. The most effective time to start studying for the written test seems to be after soloing. If you have any difficulties studying for the written test, let an instructor know and assistance can be arranged.

After passing the written, anything you can find to read about soaring will add to your experience and make the practical test easier and provide valuable background for your future soaring endeavors. Be aware that different authors have different viewpoints and recommend different ways of doing things. If you have a problem resolving these conflicts feel free to discuss with an instructor.