MAXIMIZE YOUR LEARNING POTENTIAL: Understanding Your Learning Style Can Help You Succeed as a Student Pilot
As a student pilot, you're juggling a lot: mastering flight maneuvers, navigating airspace, and learning aviation theory. But did you know that one of the keys to your success might be something as simple as understanding how you learn best? Let’s explore how knowing your personal learning style can make your study sessions more efficient and effective, helping you not only breeze through your written exams but also prepare for those high-pressure oral exams on checkride day.
Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’m just not a very good student with the books, historically.”? It could just be that you’ve never identified which learning style is best for you. There is certainly no one-size-fits-all when it comes to learning and retaining information.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR LEARNING STYLE
Everyone has a preferred way of learning. Understanding whether you're a visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or reading/writing learner can make all the difference.
Visual Learners: These learners grasp concepts best when they can see diagrams, charts, and videos. Some have a photographic memory but just think that’s how everyone remembers things. This can be a very special trait when it comes to retaining all of the charts and graphs in your PHAK (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge). If this isn’t you, DON’T WORRY!
Auditory Learners: They retain information better when it’s heard, such as through lectures, podcasts, or audiobooks. If you’re someone that remembers funny movie quotes or you find that you know all the words to a song after listening to it only once or twice, this might be your sweet spot. It’s usually as simple as reading out loud to yourself if you can’t find your learning materials in audio format. These lucky folks can often learn while completing other simple tasks like doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, exercising, etc. Try it!
Kinesthetic Learners: These learners thrive when they can physically engage with the material, such as practicing flight maneuvers or using flight simulators. This might account for a lot of the individuals who think they’re not great students when, in fact, they just have to upload the information while they’re in motion in some way.
Reading/Writing Learners: This is the most traditional way of learning and these students do best with written material, such as textbooks, notes, and written guides. Taking notes is a super power for this group, but that’s not the case with everyone. We still suggest you take notes on classroom material unless you’ve discovered that it can work against your knowledge retention. In this case, work ahead of the upcoming class material (Your instructor will always tell you what’s coming next) and you can review the information during class rather than hearing it for the first time that day.
THE SCIENCE OF LEARNING
Studies on Learning Efficiency: Research has shown that combining different learning methods can help reinforce memory and understanding. For example, a study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology found that reading is still one of the most effective ways for most people to retain detailed information.
Reading for Retention: Reading allows you to engage with the material at your own pace, which gives your brain time to absorb and organize information. If you tend to zone out, please consider removing or limiting distractions like music with lyrics or any other screen media. There is NO SUCH THING as multitasking when it comes to learning. Multitasking, in reality, is nothing more than high-speed switching of your focus back and forth and it can lead to mental exhaustion if one is trying to retain information while reading if other inputs are vying for your attention.
Supplementing with Other Modalities: However, relying on just one method might not always be enough. Supplementing reading with audiobooks and videos can help reinforce concepts from different angles, especially for auditory and visual learners.
Audiobooks and Podcasts: Great for auditory learners and those with busy schedules. You can listen to FAA regulations, aircraft systems, and flight maneuvers while commuting or during downtime. Jason Schappert’s Pass Your Private Pilot Checkride is a great resource when you reach the checkride prep phase of your training. Use it!
Videos and Flight Simulators: Visual learners will benefit from seeing procedures in action. Tutorials and YouTube videos on specific maneuvers can offer a clearer picture, and flight simulators can give a hands-on experience without leaving the ground. This won’t help as much with your written and oral exams but if you’re sticking all of your maneuvers and other procedures because you’re locking them in using a sim, we’re all for it and can save you $$$ during your training.
PRACTICAL TIPS
Tailor Your Approach: Based on your learning style, tailor your study methods for maximum efficiency:
If you're a visual learner, use diagrams, charts, and videos. Draw out flowcharts of airspace structures or create flashcards with key terms and procedures.
Auditory learners should listen to podcasts, aviation lectures, or use audiobooks during travel or free time. Repetition will solidify complex concepts.
Kinesthetic learners can benefit from hands-on experience, so practice flight maneuvers in a simulator or use apps that simulate flight control.
Reading/writing learners should focus on reading through textbooks, making notes, and writing summaries of complex topics.
Use a Combination of Methods: No matter your primary learning style, research shows that a multimodal approach leads to better retention and understanding. Try using a mix of study techniques and evaluate what combination works best for you.
PREPARING FOR YOUR EXAMS
Written Exam: The written exam is largely based on recall and knowledge. Here’s where understanding your learning style can really help.
Oral Exam: The oral exam during your check ride is a different beast—it tests not just your knowledge but your ability to articulate that knowledge. If you know you’re an auditory or kinesthetic learner, practice explaining key concepts out loud to a study buddy or instructor. You can even simulate the oral exam by asking yourself questions and responding aloud.
Simulated Practice: Combining multiple styles will also help in practice flights and check rides. A kinesthetic learner can benefit from reviewing procedures through videos or simulations and then practicing those maneuvers in the air.
FINAL NOTES
Everyone Learns Differently: Don’t get discouraged if your learning style doesn’t match the traditional study methods. There’s no “right” or “wrong” way to study—only the way that works best for you.
Patience and Persistence: Mastering aviation knowledge takes time, but by aligning your study strategies with your personal learning style, you’ll set yourself up for success.
Stay Consistent: Regular study, practicing techniques in the air, and reviewing the material in the way that suits you best will ensure that when the time comes for your written and oral exams, you’ll be well-prepared and confident.
Understanding how you learn and using that knowledge to structure your study habits is one of the best things you can do as a student pilot. With the right tools, you can approach both your written and oral exams with confidence. So, take a moment to reflect on your learning style and tailor your study routine to work with it. The sky’s the limit!