Instrument Ground School · Starts Oct 5
Is an instrument rating right for you?
Find out in our ground school.
Fly North's Instrument Ground School starts Monday, October 5 at Aurora State Airport. Monday and Wednesday nights, in person or live online, with a replay of every class.
Score 87% or higher on your FAA instrument written and we credit 100% of your tuition toward instrument flight instruction with Fly North. That is the IFR 87 Challenge.
Instrument flying is not as hard as it looks
You already know how to fly an airplane. Instrument training puts everything you have learned together: the weather, the navigation, the charts and the air traffic control system. Ask instrument students what they love most and they say the same thing. It finally makes sense, and it is some of the most fun flying you can do.
This class is the low-cost way to find out if you want to go all the way. You learn how the system works, how to read it and what the flying looks like, before you commit to instrument flight training.
Private pilots who want to do more with their certificate.
More flying, in more conditions, with ATC working for you instead of scaring you.
Pilots headed for a career.
Try one class for $80 and decide.
Pilots who are curious but not sure.
A structured, instructor-led start on the written and the foundation for your instrument flight training.
Pilots who tried self-study and stalled.
Twice a week, with real instructors, so you keep moving and can ask the questions that matter.
Who is this class for?
Class Details
STARTS
Monday, October 5, 2026
SCHEDULE
Monday and Wednesday, 6:00pm to 8:30pm
FORMAT
In person at Aurora State Airport or live online. Every meeting is recorded, so a missed night never puts you behind.
LAST CLASS
Wednesday, December 2 (no class Thanksgiving week)
LENGTH
8 weeks, 16 meetings, 40 hours of instruction
BRING
ForeFlight on your iPad or phone. All course materials are digital.
What you will learn: five stages
1
Attitude instrument flying
How to fly the airplane by reference to the instruments.
2
Navigation
How the equipment, charts and ForeFlight work together to get you where you are going.
3
Procedures, regulations, and weather hazards
The rules of the system and the weather that can break it.
4
Approaches and departures
Approach charts, holds, and how to brief and fly a procedure.
5
En route, weather, and exam readiness
Putting it all together, ACS review and oral exam preparation.
What you get for $799
16 instructor-led meetings, 40 hours.
The same course on 1:1 ground instruction would run about $3,200.
Sheppard Air instrument test prep
For the FAA written exam, included.
One free hour in our flight simulator with an instructor
After Stage 2, to put the scan and navigation skills into practice.
Your written-test endorsement
Included when you complete the course.
Online course module access
Replays of every meeting, stage quizzes, and stage exams so you always know where you stand.
Retake any stage in a future class for free
Drop in for a topic refresh. We run ground school three times a year.
Digital materials
The FAA Instrument Flying Handbook and the FAA weather handbooks. Printed copies are optional and available to buy.
$3,200 value
$50 retail
$158 normal rental
OUR GUARANTEE
The Fly North IFR 87 Challenge
We back our training. Complete the course and score 87% or higher on your FAA instrument rating written exam, and we credit 100% of your ground school tuition toward instrument flight instruction with Fly North. It also includes free attendance at any future class.
The fine print, in plain English: attend or replay all 16 meetings and pass each stage quiz. Take the written within 60 days of finishing the class. The credit applies to flight instruction with Fly North and is valid for 12 months from your exam date.
FAQs
Priority flying
Finish the course, pass the written within 60 days, and you move to the front of our schedule for instrument flight training.
Why Fly North
A clear path from ground school to instrument flight training. Real instructors, real experience, real standards, and no wasted time. With ground school and the FAA written out of the way, you are on the fast track to your instrument rating and can concentrate on flying and practicing the approaches. We have a large team here and here are just a few instructors you might meet during your classes.
Ground School Director
Steve Thornton
CFII
Sunghu Simon Yoo
CFII
Victoria Kelly
Get started
Seats fill until the first class on October 5.