Learn to Fly: Private Pilot Ground School at Nicolet College

Learn more about Nicolet as an FAA Authorized Testing Center. (PDF)

March 12 - May 14, 2024
Nicolet College, Rhinelander
Cost: $650
Register online here: : https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/7160/event/1368198

Nicolet College will offer its next Private Pilot Ground School this Spring. Learn about the joys of flight, what it takes to become a pilot, and the many career options there are in the aviation field. Over 200 Wisconsin companies have ties to the state's aerospace sector, and more than 26,000 people are employed in Wisconsin by companies that support aviation businesses and aerospace manufacturing.

Nicolet College is now an FAA Authorized Training Center. You can drive or fly in with campus located only 10 minutes from RHI Airport. Taxi service is also available. Click here to learn more about Aviation at Nicolet.

Here’s what will be studied:

Have you always been interested in learning to fly? Learn the fundamentals of flight required for your FAA Private or Light Sport Pilot license. Content includes pertinent FAA regulations, principles of aerodynamics, airplane systems and performance, instruments, aero-medical and human factors, aviation weather, airspace, airport operations, charts and navigation, cross country flying, and the various aviation career opportunities.

Upon successful completion of this course and completion of an online exam-prep study course, you will be furnished with the knowledge to complete the FAA written knowledge test. This 30-hour course will be taught by local Flight Instructors with years of aviation experience in a variety of aircraft. Classes will be held in a combination of in-person and online presentations, with an additional tour available to expand your aviation knowledge. Whether you actually want to pursue flight training or a career, or are just interested in learning about aviation, you’re welcome to attend. FAA Airman Knowledge Testing (written exams) are now available at Nicolet College in Rhinelander through PSI. See separate tab on this website for more information.

Class Details

The ground school is scheduled to begin on March 12, 2024. It will run 10 weeks, and is set to conclude on May 14. Exact class days are being finalized at this time, but will likely include Tuesday nights and Saturday mornings. Classes will primarily be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander. There will also be other nearby locations. A finalized schedule should be available by Feb. 2nd.

The course will also include an online learning component for aeronautical knowledge and test prep. Computer and online access will be required to complete the course. The course will also feature a number of aviation guest speakers, covering a variety of topic areas associated with the class. There will be special highlights regarding aviation careers.

There is also a field trip being scheduled for this course. It will be on a Saturday in spring. The date has not been set yet, but we plan to include a variety of airports, aircraft, and aviation businesses. Details will be available as the class progresses.

Registration Information

The course cost will be $650. It includes everything listed below.

You can register for the class here: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/tix/7160/event/1368198

Ground School class will be limited to 20 students to provide personal support to each student. If you’re interested, please register soon.

The cost of this course includes:

• Ten weekly in-person class sessions taught by FAA-licensed Certified Flight Instructors (CFI’s)
• A weekly online Zoom meeting with instructor(s) to aid in your studies.
• Daily email support from your instructor(s) to answer your questions.
• Guest speakers. Details to be confirmed.
• Field trip to airports and aviation businesses. (Transportation is not included, but all locations will be within an hour of Rhinelander)
• GLEIM Deluxe Private Pilot Kit with Audio Review, which includes:
• Online access to the Gleim Private Pilot Online Ground School and FAA Test Prep (12 months)
• Online access to the Gleim Aviation Communications and Security Related Airspace courses.
• Private Pilot audio lectures – live stream or download to your phone or personal device.
• 6 hard-copy textbooks and FAA regulations (FAR/AIM) to aid in studies.
• Pilot logbook
• Flight planning FAA chart, E6B flight computer and plotter. (current Green Bay sectional covering northern Wisconsin)
• Pilot Flight Bag

Meet the Instructors

Curt Drumm, Lead Instructor
Curt has been a professional pilot, flight instructor, and aviation business owner for over 20 years. He learned to fly in Los Angeles, and holds Airline Transport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor ratings, among others. Curt has logged nearly 5,500 hours in a variety of aircraft including single and multi-engine airplanes, seaplanes, and air charter aircraft. He currently teaches Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Nicolet College.

Other instructors will be added at a later date. Stay tuned.

Flight Training and aircraft rental will be available through private flight schools. More information to come on that soon.