King Training Kits - Which one for IR Training

Jaybird180

Jaybird180

Final Approach
Joined
Dec 28, 2010
Messages
9,036
Location
Near DC
Display Name
Display name:
Jaybird180
I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on getting a King IFR Training Kit, just trying to decide which one has the best value.

IMO, the "Get it All" kit has a lot of fluff, FAA pubs that I have electronically and gizmos that I'll probably never use but once or twice -not my cup of tea to stockpile "stuff".

OTOH the "Written and Checkride" kit is missing some of the stuff that appears to have some value to it that comes in the above mentioned kit.

Those of you that went the King route, which kit did you purchase and Why? How much value did you get out of the extra stuff they give for free?
http://www.kingschools.com/ground-school/instrument-rating/courses/comparison
 
I'm kinda wondering how well you'd do with none of it.

Looking back at my experience, I did my usual MO of overspending, including the King Course and more.

Looking back, much of what I remembered from King, I got as good or better from the free FAA publications, and the text books from Bob Gardner and Peter Dogan and one other, then lots and lots of decent FREE You Tube videos explaining different concepts.

Then top off the finer details I got from my experience with PIC and Ron Levy (plus an instructor or two afterwards) and I got a much better level of detail and understanding and retention than I did the King offering.

Now the King's are okay. But I'm thinking you can save much/most of that $400 for the basic (or add $200 for the additional flotsam!? wowsers!) and apply that to something more practical.

I know I would have.
 
Last edited:
I was thinking the same thing and put myself on a study course of the FAA pubs cover-cover. Life got in the way and I don't remember where I stopped and it irks me to redo it.

The way I plan to do it is to get the written out of the way - just provide the answers the FAA wants THEN learn how to fly IFR for real with an instructor.

I just completed an analysis of what I think I would get value out of regarding the extras and based on that, the Get It All came out $34 more valuable to me. Maybe I'll eBay the stuff I don't want for $1 each item.

(or add $200 for the additional flotsam!? wowsers!)
Click to expand...
What does that mean?
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flotsam_and_jetsam

I was referring to paying an additional $200 for for items that are more of a want than a need.

Some of the video material might be useful, but you can find just as good or better from various free resources (including the various FASSTeam and WINGS seminars)
 
You don't need any of that crap. FAA book are pretty darn good these days and they're a ton less corny than the Kings. The only extra book I'd recommend is 'Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators'.
 
Captain said:
You don't need any of that crap. FAA book are pretty darn good these days and they're a ton less corny than the Kings. The only extra book I'd recommend is 'Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators'.
Click to expand...

Is your opinion the same if I tell you that I'm a visual learner?
 
Hi Jaybird. I went the King route. I don't regret spending the money. I easily passed the written the first time out The only thing I found difficult was staying awake during the videos.
 
I did FAA pub study to brush up for the PPL written and the King-produced Cessna training for the IR written.

I thought the slides and videos in the Cessna training were generally good, neither too slow and boring (like Sportys) or too technical like the FAA pubs. And for the $250 I paid for it ($300 OTD), I thought it was a good way to study for the written and laid a good foundation for the actual training. Heck, I went back to learn/review all the G1000 stuff when I took my first G1000 flight recently.
 
I went with both the written and check ride IFR videos from King. I to am a visual learner. During my PPL, I struggled with the Gleim system that my school issued as is was read and regurgitate which is not how my brain is wired to learn. I purchased the PPL King videos and glad I did and then knew I was gonna go that route for my IFR.

Could you do without it...sure, but I have always personally had a challenge learning by just reading even through school. SHOW me how to do it and I have a picture permanently seared in my brain. I would say the practical test video was a little less valuable than the written course, but I liked the fact that they went through and talked through a mock oral and checkride.

Yes, your CFI is supposed to prepare you for all that, but for me I was much more relaxed during my Oral having gone through the videos with a better understanding of what to expect. Often the anxiety is that you don't know what you don't know and you are afraid you won't know it!

They are indeed corny and outdated at times, but the content was just what I needed!
 
Last edited:
Jaybird180 said:
I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on getting a King IFR Training Kit, just trying to decide which one has the best value.

IMO, the "Get it All" kit has a lot of fluff, FAA pubs that I have electronically and gizmos that I'll probably never use but once or twice -not my cup of tea to stockpile "stuff".

OTOH the "Written and Checkride" kit is missing some of the stuff that appears to have some value to it that comes in the above mentioned kit.

Those of you that went the King route, which kit did you purchase and Why? How much value did you get out of the extra stuff they give for free?
http://www.kingschools.com/ground-school/instrument-rating/courses/comparison
Click to expand...


One nice thing about the Kings videos is that if you get the online version, you can download them on your phone (or Ipad), and then stream them in your car to listen to while driving. I have one of those blue tooth connectors to play it on my radio in the car. I did that to help prepare for the written. Sort of an improvised books on tape study guide.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top