STRUGGLING WITH GROUND KNOWLEDGE? Figure Out HOW You Actually Learn Most Effectively

Here Are the Tools to Find Out AND What To Do Next

Improve Your Learning with a website called VARK-Learn.com

Learning to fly requires mastering a wide range of concepts—everything from aerodynamics to regulations, and from flight maneuvers to emergency procedures. However, the process of absorbing all this information isn’t the same for everyone. Just as pilots have different flight styles, they also have different learning styles.

One tool that can help flight students discover their optimal learning type is VARK-Learn.com. With a simple quiz, VARK helps students identify their learning preferences—whether they’re Visual, Auditory, Reading/writing, or Kinesthetic learners. Let’s explore how understanding your learning style can make a world of difference in your flight training, and how you can use VARK to create a customized approach to study and practice.

Why Knowing Your Learning Style is Important for Flight Students

Flight training is complex, combining both theoretical knowledge and practical application. Whether you’re learning about weather patterns, studying sectional charts, or practicing maneuvers in the cockpit, understanding how you process information can accelerate your learning process.

Imagine you’re a visual learner, but most of your study materials are text-heavy. Or, maybe you’re a kinesthetic learner, but you’re mostly sitting and reading to study and you should try walking around or getting on an elliptical machine while reading. These mismatches can make retaining information more difficult and increase frustration. By identifying your learning style, you can adapt your study habits and flight training to fit your natural preferences, leading to better retention and faster progress.

The VARK-Learn.com Learning Style Screening Quiz

VARK-Learn.com offers a free, easy-to-use quiz that helps you determine your learning style or combination thereof. The quiz takes just a few minutes and is designed to give you insight into how you learn best. Once you’ve completed the quiz, VARK provides tailored recommendations on how to adjust your study and flight training techniques to suit your learning style. This personalized information can be a game-changer in how you approach your studies.

Common Learning Styles and How They Impact Flight Training

Here’s a brief recap of the four main learning styles and how they can affect flight training:

• Visual Learners
  Visual learners understand concepts best through images, diagrams, and charts. In flight training, this could mean using cockpit diagrams, flight simulation software, or even creating mind maps to visualize complex procedures.

• Auditory Learners
  Auditory learners thrive in environments where they can listen and engage in conversations. They may find it helpful to attend lectures, listen to podcasts, or participate in discussions with instructors about flight procedures.

• Reading/Writing Learners
  These learners excel with written information—notes, manuals, and textbooks. They may benefit from writing detailed notes, summarizing chapters, and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or other written resources.

• Kinesthetic Learners
  Kinesthetic learners are “learn by doing” types. They may struggle with abstract concepts or too much reading but excel when they can physically engage in hands-on activities. Flight simulators, real-world flight practice, and tactile experiences like using flight training tools (e.g., yoke, throttle controls) can be essential for these learners. Any movement while combined with reading, watching, or listening to new information could very well boost learning for the ‘K’ crowd.

How VARK Helps Tailor Learning Strategies

Once you’ve identified your learning style through the VARK quiz, the website provides personalized recommendations to help you make the most of your training. Here are a few examples of how you might use your learning style to tailor your study methods:

• Visual Learners
  VARK might suggest you use flight simulation programs to visualize flight paths, study aviation charts and diagrams, or watch instructional videos to see the theory in action.

• Auditory Learners
  For auditory learners, VARK could recommend listening to aviation podcasts, discussing complex topics with fellow students or instructors, or recording your flight lessons and reviewing them. Jason Schappert’s audiobook, ‘Pass Your Private Pilot Checkride’ is one that has helped hundreds, if not thousands, of PPL candidates prep for their oral examination.

• Kinesthetic Learners
  Kinesthetic learners may be encouraged to get hands-on experience as much as possible. This includes practicing flight maneuvers, spending more time in the cockpit, and using physical tools like flight models to simulate in-flight scenarios.

By offering customized learning strategies based on your quiz results, VARK-Learn.com empowers you to create a study routine that suits your unique needs.

Implementing Your Learning Strategy

Once you know your learning style, it’s time to take action! Here are some steps you can take to implement VARK’s strategies:

1. Organize your study routine: Use the recommendations from VARK to prioritize your study methods. For example, if you’re a visual learner, focus on diagram-heavy resources and flight simulations.

2. Track your progress: As you apply your new strategies, keep track of how well you’re retaining information and performing in practical sessions. If you feel something isn’t working, adjust your approach.

3. Use a mix of strategies: Many students have a combination of learning styles. VARK will give you guidance on blending different techniques to maximize your learning.

4. Be patient: Flight training is a journey. Be flexible with your learning process and give yourself time to adapt to your new study methods.

5. Try Moving While Studying: This could be the key to unlocking a kinesthetic aspect to your learning type AND it’s good for you!

Try the VARK quiz. Embrace your learning style and set yourself up for success. Good luck and let us know if this was helpful!