Ground Schools

IA offers several different ground schools to help the student prepare for the FAA knowledge exam, the practical test, flight reviews and even airline interview preparation.

These classes are designed to be interactive and interesting, and convey aeronautical knowledge in a practical manner.

Classes are continuous, so refer to the calendar of events to see what is being offered, or call us at 303-858-1600 for more information.  You may also click on the Registration link to sign up.

• 06/04/2013 - Private/Sport Certificate Ground School - New Class:

  The purpose of this ground school is to help the student learn the concepts necessary to become a proficient Private or Sport Pilot.  This should prepare the student to pass the FAA Private or Sport Pilot Knowledge Exam but more importantly give the student a real-world feel for why the concepts are important to an aviator.

  The next session of the class is scheduled to begin June 4, 2013.  To be held every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the IA offices, it is an 10-week program that will cover all of the topics in depth.  There will be several guest instructors and extra-curricular activities.  The cost is $295 plus required materials.

  Contact Kevin Shepard or Taylor Albrecht, 303-858-1600, GroundSchools@flywithia.com to sign up or for more information.

  

   

• 06/05/2013 - iPad Transition - ForeFlight Basic (KAPA):

  iPad Transition – ForeFlight Proficiency – Basic

  ForeFlight has been the leading selling aviation i-App for a long time.  Originally developed for the iPhone, it is one of the most fully-featured and easy to use aviation apps available.

  In this class we’ll cover the basics of ForeFlight by using a real-world VFR flight plan to explore the depths of information available.

  We require taking iPad Fundamentals for Aviation as a pre-requisite or contacting us for a quick assessment.  Tuition for the class is $99.

  

• 06/05/2013 - iPad Transition - ForeFlight Advanced (KAPA):

  iPad Transition – ForeFlight Proficiency Advanced

  ForeFlight has been the leading selling aviation i-App for a long time.  Originally developed for the iPhone, it is one of the most fully-featured and easy to use aviation apps available.

  In this class we’ll cover more advanced features of  ForeFlight by using a real-world IFR flight plan to explore the depths of information available.

  We require taking iPad Fundamentals for Aviation and iPad ForeFlight Basic as pre-requisites or contacting us for a quick assessment.  Tuition for the class is $99.

  

• 06/06/2013 - Private Certificate Ground School - Regular Class:

  This ground school meets regularly every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

  Contact Kevin Shepard or Taylor Albrecht, 303-858-1600, GroundSchools@flywithia.com to sign up or for more information.

  

   

Aviation Weather Seminars

Michael Cetinich, Meteorologist from Jeppesen, will continue his excellent weather classes in 2012.  These help pilots of all levels better understand the atmosphere and aviation weather. Sessions include: theory and classroom lecture, sample flight planning scenarios, and aviation accident reviews where weather has been a causal factor.

Please join us for these interactive and informative sessions on the following dates below.  All classes are held at Centennial Airport (KAPA), either at the Independence Aviation classroom or the Ramada Hotel and Suites and run from 9:00 am until Noon.

Download Aviation Weather Seminars details in PDF format

• 06/15/2013 - Summer Weather Hazards:

  Density Altitude = Pressure Altitude corrected for non-standard temperature.

  This seminar is presented by Michael Cetinich, meteorologist with Jeppesen.  There are three segments.

  The first segment will look at what weather patterns commonly exist during the Summer months, and the weather hazards associated with them. Specifically we will look at hazards associated with thunderstorms, coastal stratus, tropical cyclones and haze. We take a look at specific summer patterns in Colorado including the North American Monsoon.

  The second segment we will take an in-depth look at the Skew-T Log P diagram. We will look at the what elements are displayed on the diagram, and what the implications are. We will look at indexes that are derived from the diagram, such as the Lifted Index, K Index and CAPE and how these are used in understanding stability and thunderstorm forecasting.

  The third segment we will do a flight scenario, planning a flight and evaluating the weather associated with the flight.

  The seminar qualifies for FAA Safety WINGS program knowledge credit.

  *** NOTE ***
  The 2013 version of this fantastic seminar will be held at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport.

  

  or call 303-858-1600 to register.

• 08/24/2013 - Aviation Weather Decoded:

  Ever wonder what the real weather looks like behind those METARs and TAFs?

  The first segment will look at all of the various text weather reports and products, and decode what they provide, where they come from, and how to interpret them. This section can provide additional insight into products pilots use with every briefing, such as METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, Area Forecasts and more.

  The second segment we will take an in-depth look at online weather resources. We will explore a variety of sites, what information is available, how to get to what you need, and how to understand what you are seeing.

  The third segment we will do a flight scenario, planning a flight and evaluating the weather associated with the flight.

  

  or call 303-858-1600 to register.

• 10/19/2013 - Winter Weather Hazards:

  Seriously?  Clocks fall back already?  Oh yes, that means the looking at the fall colors from an aerial point of view, and the impending cold and low density altitudes of Winter!

  Mike Cetinich will give us his cool presentation on winter weather hazards with his usual interesting and interactive way.

  The first segment will look at what weather patterns commonly exist during the Winter months, and the weather hazards associated with them, specifically we will look at turbulence, icing, IMC and precipitation.

  The second segment we will take an in-depth look at turbulence. We will look at the theory of turbulence and explore how turbulence occurs in the atmosphere and the impacts to aircraft.  We will explore low level versus high level turbulence, and the difference between convective and clear air turbulence. We will also explore mountain wave turbulence in detail. Finally we will look at tools to detect current and forecasted turbulence..

  The third segment we will do a flight scenario, planning a flight and evaluating the weather associated with the flight.

  

  or call 303-858-1600 to register.

• 12/14/2013 - Mountain Flying Hazards:

  Many a pilot has ventured into the cumulo-granite west of Denver an found an unfortunate end.  Mountain flying is like none other, with various wind and weather patterns that require careful study.

  Michael Cetinich of Jeppesen will provide us with valuable information about weather phenomena to be careful of as we pursue flight over those wonderful Rockies.  The seminar is presented in three parts.

  The first segment will look at weather patterns specific to mountainous terrain. We will explore mountain/valley circulations, upslope and downslope flow, and how terrain influences thunderstorms, IMC, icing and turbulence.

  The second segment we will take an in-depth look at climate patterns and influences. How El Nino and La Nina affect weather patterns across the U.S., and specifically Colorado. How Madden-Julian Oscillations (MJO) affect local weather. We will look at the latest ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) forecast and see if we can determine the kind of winter we will have in Colorado and across the country.

  The third segment we will do a flight scenario, planning a flight and evaluating the weather associated with the flight.

  

IA Safety Seminars

These courses promise to expose even the most seasoned aviator to new and cutting edge information. Why spend the massive quantities of time researching various topics when you have IA instructors doing it for you?!? Come join us for the presentations followed by Q&A on every odd numbered month from 9:00 am to noon.

Some of the topics that have recently been covered are WAAS Procedures and Jeppesen Charts, ADS-B and what it means to us and more. We also take a fresh perspective on various topics that you may not have considered. The regs, or FAR’s as many call them, are a sinister and formidable opponent for all too many pilots, however, it doesn’t have to be this way. Once you truly expose the FAA regulations for what they are you may begin to see why certain rules are structured the way they are, and you will also have the ability to use them to your advantage instead of being hindered by them. These topics and more are regularly covered in our monthly meetings and we are always open to suggestions from our clients on what they would like to see us present next.

Download IA Safety Seminars details in PDF format

Special Events

Various other special events here at Independence Aviation

• 05/19/2020 - Rocky Mountain Light Sport Expo:

  The Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) category is the fastest growing segment of aviation. While the Rocky Mountain west is one of the hotbeds of LSA activity in the US, until now there has not been a show in this region specifically dedicated to this segment of the aviation community. Thanks to the Colorado Pilots Association, that is changing!

  The Rocky Mountain Light Sport Exposition is taking place May 18 & 19, 2013 at Front Range Airport (KFTG).  IA will have our fleet of light sport aircraft on display.

  Plan to drop by and say hi at this fantastic aviation event!