PilotWorkshops Private Pilot: The Missing Lessons Course

If Only My Instructor Had Taught Me That
The Private Pilot Certificate truly is a license to learn. There are so many aspects of flying that it’s impossible to cover them all in primary training. That makes it challenging for newer pilots to expand their comfort zone and break through barriers on their journey to becoming an experienced pilot.

Even seasoned pilots suffer from knowledge gaps that stay with them as their experience grows. This can cause hesitation, frustration, and feeling overwhelmed as they seek out new flying challenges.

This video course covers the things you wish someone had explained completely in the first place … the things that can make the difference between struggling, and flying with confidence … the things that make it easier to fly with modern tools and in complex airspace.

These Missing Lessons offer useful tools and techniques that can help you reach a new level of proficiency.

Briefings, Lessons, and In-Flight Demonstrations

The Missing Lessons videos are presented in a simple, easy to follow format.

Each end-to-end flight begins with a preflight briefing as a teaching opportunity, followed by real-time analysis of each step of the flight as it unfolds—all with live ATC communications. This combination of briefings and flying in the simulator will help you understand the material at a deeper level.

There are also single exercise flights that pick up where traditional training left off. These fill in the gaps between passing the test and applying a skill in the real world.

These missing lessons come from an instructor’s experience and perspective. So even if you’re a CFI there are pro tips and techniques you may never have seen or taught.

If you’re an experienced pilot , the demonstrations may reveal the fix to a problem that has plagued you for years, or offer new techniques to try on your next flight.

If you’re a rusty pilot , this is a great first step toward getting back in the air, and if you’re a student pilot you’ll be light years ahead in learning.

Using GPS, Autopilot and ForeFlight in the Wild
Throughout the course, we’ll demonstrate ways you can use cockpit technology to reduce stress and workload. Taking full advantage of all your cockpit resources at the right time is a fundamental skill for today’s pilot.

GPS: We fly with the Garmin GTN 750 and Garmin GNS 430, but most of these tips and concepts apply to any modern GPS navigator. You’ll learn the best way to set up and utilize these tools in-flight.

Autopilot: Private Pilots often struggle with their autopilot—specifically when to use it and how to use it. We’ll give you strategies for using this valuable tool and demonstrate the techniques in-flight.

ForeFlight: A good flight starts with a good plan. We’ll show you how to maximize the power features in ForeFlight for solid planning, as well as little known tricks to monitor your flight and make informed decisions that can keep you out of trouble.

Meet Your Instructor

Ryan Koch

CFII, Director of Product Development

Ryan is responsible for the design and development of our new online training courses and pilot-friendly manuals, and oversees the course development team. He is also an active flight instructor specializing in instrument flight, is a flight simulator expert, and has experience doing remote flight instruction via simulators.

Ryan was the driving force behind the development of several PilotWorkshops online courses, including Instrument Rating Accelerator, IFR: The Missing Lessons, Garmin GTN: Next Level, and Advanced IFR. Ryan is also a contributing expert for PilotWorkshops’ IFR Mastery series and is a regular participant in the Instructor’s Roundtable. He teaches ground schools, runs ATC communications courses for both IFR and VFR pilots, and has developed curriculum for a variety of IFR proficiency programs, and a simulator-centered high school aviation program.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I access the Private Pilot Missing Lessons videos?

A: Your training is available online at Sportys.com/mycourses and in the Pilot Training App available on iOS and Android. You can watch it on any computer, tablet or phone.

Q: Will my online access ever expire?

A: No. Once you register your login credentials, they will never expire. You will always have access to the program.

Q: Can I watch the videos offline?

A: Yes, you can download the videos for offline viewing from the Sporty’s Pilot Training iOS or Android app.

Q: Can I access the videos from more than one computer or device?

A: Yes – with your login info, you can access the site from any device as often as you want for personal use.