Complete your theoretical knowledge course for the LAPL(A) or PPL(A) at Waterford Aero Club!
As part of the training requirements for either the LAPL or PPL courses, you must complete ground school with an Approved Training Organisation. The ground school provides training towards the nine Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) exams covering the following subjects:
- Air Law
- Human Performance
- Meteorology
- Flight Planning & Performance
- Operational Procedures
- Communications
- Principle of Flight
- Aircraft General Knowledge
- Navigation
The online ground school is designed to be completely modular with students able to choose the subject(s) they wish to take for each IAA exam sitting. All nine subjects are offered four times per year so students can progress at their own pace and in line with their flight training.
The class schedule for 2023 is:
| Class 0123 | Class 0223 | Class 0323 | Class 0423 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class Delivery | 6th Feb – 9th Mar | 1st May – 5th Jun | 1st Aug – 31st Aug | 1st Nov – 30th Nov |
| Mock Exams | 18th Mar | 10th Jun | 2nd Sep | 9th Dec |
| IAA Application Deadline | 27th Mar | 19th Jun | 11th Sep | TBC (Jan 2024) |
| IAA Exams | 17th – 19th Apr | 10th – 12th Jul | 2nd – 4th Oct | TBC (Jan 2024) |
A sample schedule from class 0123 gives you an idea of the typical scheduling for each subject (days may vary but number of hours per subject will be the same).
| Air Law | February 16th, March 9th (19:00-21:00) |
| Human Performance | February 8th & 15th (19:00-21:00) |
| Meteorology | February 10th & 17th (19:00-22:00) |
| Navigation | February 20th & 27th (19:00-22:00) |
| Flight Planning & Performance | February 6th & 13th (19:00-21:00) |
| Communications | February 23rd (19:00-21:00) |
| Principles Of Flight | February 24th, March 3rd (19:00-22:00) |
| Aircraft General Knowledge | February 21st & 28th (19:00-21:00) |
| Operational Procedures | March 6th (19:00-21:00) |
| Mock Exams | 18th March (in Waterford) |
Want to enroll?
Each module can be purchased individually so you can choose how many subjects to study in one class block. Students purchase access to our Computer Based Training (CBT) covering all nine subjects for a one off fee of €200 (this grants access to the system for 24 months). The system includes all training materials and revision questions required to provide the knowledge both to pass the IAA exams and to gain a practical understanding of each subject.
Once enrolled on the CBT course students can then select the individual modules they wish to study in each based on the timetable that suits best. The fee per subject is €70 and includes:
- On-line classes
- Practice questions
- Email access to an instructor if you require any additional support / assistance
- Revision notes
- Mock exam
- IAA exam recommendation
For those not already members of WAC, associate membership is available at €50 to facilitate enrolment on the course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any entry requirements?
No, there are no prior educational or experience requirements to enroll on the ground school
course.
I am not a member of Waterford Aero Club – can I enroll?
Yes, non-members are welcome to join the club as an associate member (€50 per year) and
complete the ground school classes. You can join up online here!
What is the CBT for and how should I use it?
The course is structured to allow you to study the materials in your own time using the CBT. The CBT is like an interactive book and can be accessed via any web browser on a PC/laptop/tablet. It is designed to take you through each concept using a combination of explanations, graphics and videos culminating in a quiz at the end of each section so you can confirm you understood the material correctly.
Once you have an understanding of the material from the CBT you attend the online revision classes with your instructor and they will provide you with revision notes to summarise the course material and help you focus your preparation for the exams.
How long do I have to complete the exams?
The regulations in respect of the examinations are set by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and administered in Ireland by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).
- All nine exams must be completed within an 18-month period starting with the date of your first exam attempt.
- The exam results are then valid for 24 months from the date the last exam was passed, i.e. you must pass your LAPL or PPL flight test within those 24 months
What is the format of the exams?
The exams are computer-based, multiple choice type questions, with each exam ranging from 20 to 60 minutes in duration. The pass grade for each exam is 75%. Here is an example of the question and answer format:
Q: What is the meaning of the abbreviation “VMC”?
A. Instrument flight conditions
B. Variable meteorological conditions
C. Visual meteorological conditions
D. Visual flight rules
Do I have to physically attend classes in Waterford?
No, the entire course is designed to be delivered online over zoom and is scheduled for a mix of evenings and weekends. You will only have to attend Waterford on one Saturday morning per module to complete the mock exams.
How much does it cost to take the IAA exams?
The IAA publish details of the exam fees on their website here: https://www.iaa.ie/personnel-licensing/pilot-licences-(eu-regulations)/examination-dates—multiple-choice-questions-(mcq)/ppl-examinations. It is more cost effective to take the exams in the groupings suggested by the IAA as they charge the same fee for one subject or all subjects in that block.
I am doing an ICAO licence conversion and only need to study Air Law and Human Performance – is that possible?
Yes, each subject is purchased individually so you can choose the subject or subjects you require. A reduced fee of €75 is available if CBT access is required for only Air Law and Human Performance.
I am learning to fly at another school / club, can I still complete my ground school with Waterford Aero Club?
Yes, the exams can be completed with any training organisation and this can be confirmed with your club/school directly.
Can I take all nine subjects in the one sitting?
Yes, this is possible, but you would need to commit to a significant amount of study and revision time and it’s unlikely to be achievable for someone working full time. For each subject you should allow for approximately three hours of online class time, four to eight hours of self study and one hour for the mock exam.
We recommend that you take the exams over two or three sittings. You should also speak to your flight instructor and get their guidance as to when you are likely to complete your flight training so you can coordinate the completion of both the flight and ground elements.
At what point in my flight training should I start ground school?
Our advice is to start as early as possible. It is best to discuss this directly with your flight instructor. However, you will need knowledge of Air Law before you solo and Navigation before your cross countries for example.
Can I finish my exams with Waterford Aero Club after passing some already?
Yes, once the previous exams were complete in Ireland. PPL exams must be completed within one State/Authority. Please contact us to confirm if you have any queries regarding existing exam credits.
Once approved to take the IAA exams, how long is that approval valid for?
The approval (or recommendation) is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. If you have not taken the exams you were approved for within this period, the IAA will require a new approval form before you can register to take further exams.
