In this episode of Behind the Prop, Bobby Doss and Wally Mulhern explore how pilot training can—and should—better integrate ground knowledge with real-world flying skills. Titled “From Ground to Sky: The Equal Journey,” the discussion challenges the long-standing separation between classroom learning and cockpit experience, arguing that true pilot proficiency comes from blending the two from the very beginning.
Wally shares insight from airline training at United, where modern programs no longer rely on weeks of traditional classroom ground school. Instead, pilots complete short, focused computer-based training at home and transition almost immediately into flight training devices. By learning systems, normal procedures, and abnormal scenarios while seated in the cockpit and actively manipulating switches, pilots gain a deeper, more durable understanding than rote memorization ever provides. This hands-on approach reduces disengagement and accelerates learning by tying knowledge directly to action.
Bobby contrasts this with common practices in general aviation, where students are often encouraged to “get ground school out of the way” before flying. He explains why this mindset is flawed, emphasizing that interacting with taxiway signs, runway markings, airspace, and procedures in real time creates understanding that flashcards and videos cannot. Ground knowledge, he argues, should be continuously reinforced throughout flight training—not treated as a one-time hurdle.
A major theme of the episode is navigating the overwhelming number of training resources available today. Both hosts stress that the “best” ground school is the one aligned with a student’s flight school and instructor syllabus. Using mismatched materials often creates confusion and slows progress, even if those alternatives are cheaper or more popular.
The conversation then shifts to the critical gap between passing a written exam and being ready for a checkride—or real-world flying. Wally shares checkride examples where applicants knew answers by memory but struggled to apply them in practical situations, particularly with weather minimums and airspace requirements. Bobby adds personal experiences where rote knowledge failed under real operational pressure, reinforcing the need for contextual learning.
The episode also addresses modern avionics training, clarifying misconceptions about navigation identification and encouraging pilots to properly use available technology, including visual identifiers and autopilots, as safety tools.
The takeaway is clear: great pilots are not just “good sticks.” They are aviators who seamlessly combine ground knowledge, judgment, and flying skill to make sound decisions in real-world conditions.