Now open · Free during early access

Ground First

Walk into your checkride prepared.

Virtual PPL/CPL ground school for helicopter pilots

Every subject in the Airman Certification Standards, taught by the instructors who train U.S. Army aviators and evaluate helicopter air ambulance pilots. Self-paced, on any device.

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No card required · You'll never be charged automatically

Join during early access and keep free access to every module released before launch.

Mikkel Jensen James Martin

Taught by Mikkel Jensen, HAA Check Airman, and James Martin, U.S. Army IERW instructor

Who teaches you

Learn from the instructors
who train the professionals.

U.S. Army

Instructs officers in the Army's Initial Entry Rotary Wing program

Check Airman

Evaluates Part 135 helicopter air ambulance pilots

Chief Instructor

Former Chief Instructor at a Florida helicopter school

Real-world ops

Gulf of Mexico, single-pilot IFR, Bell, Airbus and Robinson

How it works

Built the way checkrides are flown.

Scenario-based questions mirror the oral, so the exam feels like something you've already done.

01

Start anywhere in the syllabus

Jump to the subject you're weakest on, or work straight through. Every module stands on its own.

02

Learn the why, not just the answer

Written by a check airman and an Army flight instructor, the lessons explain the reasoning an examiner expects you to know.

03

Check yourself as you go

Every topic ends with a knowledge check, and every section ends with a quiz that prepares you for the FAA knowledge test.

Early access

Open now. Free while it rolls out.

Ground First is released in phases. While new modules are still rolling out, the entire course is free. You won't pay anything until every phase is available.

Open now New modules released in phases Free until every phase is live

Sign up during early access and you keep free access to every module released before launch.

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The curriculum

Your path to the checkride.

This list is live. New lessons appear here the moment they're published.

Course Content

Helicopter Flight
Flight Controls 4 Topics
Lesson Content
0% Complete 0/4 Steps

Coming next

Helicopter SystemsComing soon
Aviation WeatherComing soon
Federal Aviation Regulations and PublicationsComing soon

Checkride-ready

Every knowledge area covered. Walk in knowing what the examiner will ask.

Create free account

No card required · Free during early access

Meet your instructors

Taught by pilots who train
the professionals.

Ground First is written by two high-time helicopter instructors. One trains officers for the U.S. Army. The other is the check airman who evaluates helicopter air ambulance pilots. You learn the material the way they teach and test it.

Mikkel Jensen

Mikkel Jensen

Check Airman · Helicopter Air Ambulance

Part 135 Check AirmanHAA Instructor PilotCFI

Mikkel is a Part 135 Instructor Pilot and Check Airman for Helicopter Air Ambulance operations. As a check airman he is the evaluator: he checks air ambulance pilots against the standard, which is exactly the standard Ground First teaches you to meet.

He built his foundation as a CFI in the Robinson R22, R44 and R66, then flew the Bell 206 and Bell 407 in the demanding conditions of the Gulf of Mexico, and the Airbus H125 and H135 in single-pilot IFR across the Pacific Northwest.

James Martin

James Martin

Flight Instructor · U.S. Army Aviation

U.S. Army IERW InstructorFormer Chief InstructorCFI

James instructs officers in the U.S. Army's Initial Entry Rotary Wing program, where new Army aviators learn to fly helicopters. Before that he was a CFI and then Chief Instructor at Palm Beach Helicopters in Florida.

He earned his helicopter certificates at Mauna Loa Helicopters on Oahu, flies the Robinson R22 and R44, Bell JetRanger and Airbus UH-72A Lakota, and holds SEL, MEL and SES airplane ratings.

Questions

Before you start.

Is it really free?

Yes. While new modules are still rolling out, the entire course is free. You won't pay anything until every phase is available.

What does it cover?

The knowledge areas of the Airman Certification Standards for private and commercial helicopter pilots. Every topic ends with a knowledge check, and every section ends with a quiz that prepares you for the FAA knowledge test.

Will I be charged later?

Never automatically. We don't ask for a card to sign up. When every module is live we'll announce pricing, and anyone who joined during early access keeps free access to every module released before launch.

Is it for private, commercial, or both?

Both. Ground First covers the private and the commercial helicopter certificates, so you can keep using it as you move from one to the next.

Do I need to be at a flight school?

No. Ground First works on its own or alongside any flight school or independent instructor.

Does it replace my instructor?

No. It prepares you for the knowledge test and the oral exam. Your flight instructor still reviews your preparation and gives the endorsement you need to take the knowledge test.

How do I get access?

Create your free account and you're enrolled straight away. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can stop anytime and pick up on any device.

Who writes the lessons?

Mikkel Jensen, a helicopter air ambulance check airman, and James Martin, a U.S. Army Initial Entry Rotary Wing instructor. Every lesson is written in-house.

Show up prepared
to your checkride.

Free during early access. No card required.

Create free account Try a free lesson