tvnewspilot

Does anybody recommend the KINGS for the Commercial written. I know everybody loves Shepherd Air.. but I just don't like the memorization method..

Thanks

Stoked27

I used the King school for my Commercial course and I still used Sheppard for the test prep. Sheppard was more comprehensive covering all topics and it was easier on my eyes (the King school had very tiny font that wasn't zoomable enough on many of the "figures"). After hours of studying with King it bothered me, but the font was more of an issue with the King Instrument test prep with all the charts being referenced.

Rote memorization is the first step before understanding the information, so if you don't feel like you understand the Sheppard Air material well enough you should be reviewing the explanations and open the referenced book material (Sheppard tells you exactly which page of which handbook to read more on the topic). Of course, Sheppard Air gives you the added bonus of subliminally recognizing questions when they actually appear on the real test, but to say Sheppard is only for pure rote memorization just means you're trying to cut corners. The opportunity is there to learn the material with Sheppard just as much as King. Before switching to a different product, try digging deeper into the material asking yourself "why" the Sheppard answer is the correct answer. Before moving onto the next test prep practice question, make sure you understand it.

It's all what you make of it. IMO King Schools gives you less opportunity to make more of it. There will always be some people who say Sheppard users don't learn the material, but that's assuming everyone is cutting corners. The material is there for you to learn it... it's on you to put in the effort if you care enough to.

Cheese7

King Schools is pretty much nothing but memorization too, just in video/powerpoint format. You'll hear John King say about 1,000 times: "what the FAA wants you to know for the test is...". He just stands in front of a green screen with a power point behind him and reads the test questions and answers really fast. If you're an auditory learner, this might be better for you, but most people are visual learners. There are a few decent videos mixed in, but some of them look like they're from the early 90's. It's funny to watch John and Martha go forward and backward in time from video to video.

If you want to learn (not just memorize), I would get Sheppard Air, then click the "Explanation" box for each question. In the explanation window, they will give you references (most of them FAA books, AC's, or FAR/AIM section references). Go to these references and actually read/study from the reference material.

A good review book is "Commercial Pilot Test Prep" from ASA.

And then for the oral exam, the Commercial Pilot Oral Exam Guide, also from ASA.

prayforwaves117

Took the written 3 weeks ago. Got a 97% with King and Sheppard for Commercial.

If you bought King for any other course, call them and ask for a returning customer discount. I did this for IRA since I bought it for PPL and did the same for CAX. Saved like $70 something I think.

Tater023

I used Sheppard and received 94% when I took the test yesterday.

As someone mentioned earlier, with Sheppard, I found it very helpful to read the explanation boxes, and then dig deeper into the appropriate manual referenced in the explanation. Some of it helped knock the rust off of the private pilot material, and some of it was completely new.

I wouldn't go into it thinking you have to memorize every question and answer. Try to understand the material as much as you can. I'm 43, and the neurons just don't fire like they used to. For me, it would have been harder to memorize everything. I also took my time with it, versus some who cram over the weekend. To each his own.

BravoPapa

I’ve always used the King courses combined with Gleim. First time through the commercial written I did too. Let that run out and had to take it again not too long ago and only used the Sheppard because I’d heard so much about it. I would have used the King course again with it but didn’t want to spend the money (my commercial course from them was bought many years ago off EBay and is outdated now). But I recommend King combined with Sheppard or Gleim. And you can get the endorsement to take the written from any of them.

hockey27

I would recommend using Sheppard

Matt1234

I’ve used Sheppard Air for all my tests! I have never scored below 90 on any of them! I did the IGI exam after my IRA in 13 minutes! Good program to knock out the knowledge tests!