King Schools v.s Sporty's (IFR)

[jrsx]

I know there are other threads that exist debating between King School's and Sporty's for pilot ground schools. I just wanted to get some more opinions and experiences regarding preparation for the IFR written exam. I am leaning toward King because my experience with their products seems more engaging, and Sporty's IFR course seems very dry, monotonous, and boring. What's your opinion?........Let me know     
 


 

[atcman23]

Personally I'm not sure but I think you already pointed out the biggest difference.  Do you want a few laughs while you learn (King) or do you want to fight to stay awake?  I'm not saying there's anything wrong with Sporty's products; all of them are very detailed and full of knowledge.  But John King can be funny at times, if not a little too over bearing. 

I have heard several people say that they liked the King courses a bit better than others that are out there.

Good luck!

[domin752]

If your just looking for Instrument Written prep, buy the Gleim book or software, memorize the answers and take the written. FAA written exams are mostly rote memory exams. Then if you want get the sporty's or King stuff go for it, but I recommend the Jeppesen Instrument book for actual Instrument knowledge and to study for your oral exam.

[otto_pilot]

Look for my private and ifr training i used the Cessna Multi Media for my 141 training. It sucked John and Martha are the worst out there. They are not funny, although i gain alot from the videos. They are over bearing with their dumb jokes. I now go to ccbc and take a class for my 141 ground school so much better. I understand people cant just go to a college for something like that but I know i would much rather take a class for ground training.

[atcman23]

Yes I forgot about the Gleim books...they are OK but the books are bland... it's like reading the stock reports in the newspaper (feels like it too).  The Jeppesen book is a great resource, especially if want to go on to your Commercial license .  The downside to the jepp book is the price; it's not the cheapest thing out there.  While I agree about John and Martha somewhat littering their products with silly jokes, they are knowledgeable people (I've seen John from some interviews talking about things and he does know his stuff).  Again, the Sportys DVDs are also great resources (I've watched several of the Sporty's DVDs).  Me personally, if I had to choose between King or Sportys, I'd probably pick Sportys because they are a bit more thorough.  I've only seen bits and pieces of Kings' courses from introductory CDs they used to send me years ago in the mail.

[Steelrman]

Clips

[tucraceman]

Damn what's with all the John and Martha haters.  Learning IFR is one of the most boring things out there.  I mean when was the last time you saw something about VOR service volumes and thought "COOL!".  I'm guessing never.  John and Martha are knowledgeable and yes to do splatter their videos with cheesy jokes but it takes off the monotony of actually learning the stuff.
~D

[atcman23]

Damn what's with all the John and Martha haters.  Learning IFR is one of the most boring things out there.  I mean when was the last time you saw something about VOR service volumes and thought "COOL!".  I'm guessing never.  John and Martha are knowledgeable and yes to do splatter their videos with cheesy jokes but it takes off the monotony of actually learning the stuff.
~D

I would tend to agree here, they do keep you interested in the topic at hand.  I'm definitely not a 'hater' of their material, I was just going by overall context.  I think it really comes down to personal preference and what closely matches how you learn and retain information, not so much, "this one is better over the other because I said so."  Just pick whatever you feel more comfortable with and what you think may help you learn the topic better.

[sk8rguy178]

try searching on youtube for clips and you can decide for yourself, everyones opinion is going to be vastly different. both will give you the knowledge you need, the only thing different is your own preference of being taught

[dylanh]

King videos...by FAR. Martha is HOT!

[aviator_06]

I like both but King has a little edge. Sportys videos have put me asleep a couple times.