THE 87 CHALLENGE
Free Private Pilot Ground School — Here's How It Works.
See If You Qualify for the 87 Challenge.
This is the same free Pilot Roadmap Consultation you'll find sitewide — this version is tailored to the 87 Challenge.
Enroll in our 12-week Private Pilot Ground School. Score 87% or higher on your first attempt at the FAA Knowledge Test, and we credit 100% of your tuition back toward your flight training — so ground school doesn't cost you anything extra, it just becomes the first step of your training.
In your free 45-minute consultation, we'll cover:
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The 87 Challenge & how it fits your goals
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Timeline & costs for the full pathway
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Financial aid options
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Free flight simulator session, in person
Included when you book
The Pilot Roadmap Handbook — every question new students ask us most, from cost to timeline to test day, condensed into one guide. It lands in your inbox the moment you schedule.
Ready to Reserve your Spot?
Interested? Let's Talk!
Fill out the form, and we will contact you right away to get you rolling or answer any questions you have
OR you can contact us today!
Start Your Pilot Journey the Smart Way
Join the next Private Pilot Ground School at Aurora State Airport and build the foundation every confident pilot needs.
Live instruction, structured study plan, and a results-driven system designed to get you through your written exam with confidence.
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📍 Fly North Aviation - Aurora State Airport
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🗓 September 19th (Sat), September 29th (Tue)
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⏱ Duration (12 weeks)
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Options: Saturday Course (8am-12pm) OR Tuesday/Thursday Course (6pm-8pm)
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FREE 45-MINUTE SESSION AT THE SCHOOL
What Happens During Your Pilot Roadmap Session
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Team meeting & goals
School tour
Map the 87 Challenge
Simulator flight
We sit down and talk through what you actually want out of flying — timeline, budget, and what's realistic for your life.
Meet the instructors, walk the aircraft, and see Aurora State Airport up close before committing to anything.
We walk through exactly how the tuition credit works, your timeline, and financial aid options — then build your ground school path, in-person or online.
Take the controls of our FAA-approved full-motion simulator — free, before you spend a dollar on training.
THE FINE PRINT
Free? Here's Exactly How It Works.
You enroll in our 12-week Private Pilot Ground School — the same course that gets you ready for the FAA Knowledge Test. Score 87% or higher on your first attempt, and we credit 100% of your tuition back toward your flight training. Every dollar of it.
That means if you put in the work, ground school doesn't cost you anything extra — it just becomes the first step of your flight training. It's the same standard we hold every student to, taught by instructors who've walked new pilots through this exact first step.
We run new ground school classes every January, May, and September, so there's always one starting soon — and if in-person doesn't work for your schedule, we have flexible online options too.
Ready to Reserve your Spot?
Ed Winkler
“Enrolling in the ground school has helped me cement concepts that I study by having a platform to ask questions. Love it and the students in my class"
Isaac
"They've made learning fun again, and I genuinely love being a part of this community".
Why Students
Get Stuck
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Radio calls feel too fast
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Airspace feels confusing
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Weather feels unpredictable
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It’s hard to connect book knowledge to real flying
Most students do not struggle because they arent doing enough. They struggle because no one has broken it down clearly yet.
Why
In-Person Beats Online
Real-Time Instruction
Ask questions as they come up and get answers immediately.
Better Retention
Discussion-based learning helps concepts stick.
Shared Experience
Learn alongside other future pilots and hear how lessons connect to actual flying.
What’s Included in Our Private Pilot Ground School
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12 weeks of live, instructor-led classes
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Full 40-hour FAA private pilot ground school curriculum
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Weekly reading and study plans
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Preparation for the pre-solo exam
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Preparation for the FAA written test
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Preparation for the oral portion of the checkride
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Free re-attendance in a future ground school as a refresher
FAQs
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Do I have the confidence to be a pilot?
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Every pilot starts exactly where you are right now. Ground school builds your knowledge step by step over 12 weeks, and your free simulator session lets you feel what flying is actually like before you commit to anything. Most students tell us confidence came from doing it, not from feeling ready first.
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What does the 87 Challenge actually cost?
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Ground school tuition is $689, plus a $289 course kit. Score 87% or higher on your first attempt at the FAA Knowledge Test, and we credit 100% of that $689 tuition back toward your flight training — so ground school effectively costs you nothing beyond the kit.
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How long does ground school take?
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12 weeks, whether you go in-person or online. New classes start every January, May, and September, so you're never far from a start date.
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Do I need my own plane?
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No. Ground school is classroom knowledge only — no aircraft needed at this stage. When you move into flight training, you'll fly school aircraft alongside a certified instructor.
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What if I don't pass with 87% on the first try?
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The 100% tuition credit is tied to hitting 87%+ on your first attempt at the FAA Knowledge Test. [Placeholder — exact retake policy and whether a partial credit applies needs to be confirmed before this goes live; not yet documented in the signed 87 Challenge Agreement.]
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Is ground school online or in person?
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Both. Join us in person at Aurora State Airport, or complete the course online on your own schedule — either path counts toward the 87 Challenge.
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