Jump start your career as a professional pilot!

Private Pilot Ground School (PPGS) is a unique, fast-paced, three-week summer course that provides the opportunity for Washington State rising 9th-12th grade students to explore the fundamentals of being a professional pilot while creating a base of aeronautical knowledge needed to successfully pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written exam. Offered at no cost!

Your instructors are licensed pilots and educators who will engage you in hands-on learning in The Museum of Flight’s state-of-the-art flight simulator lab in the Aviation Learning Center and through team projects. You’ll meet fascinating professionals in the aviation industry and take field trips to local aviation and aerospace companies.

Private Pilot Ground School will help you build a foundation in aviation that will help you excel regardless of the career pathway you choose to pursue.


Note: Because this is a public school class, we are only able to serve residents of Washington state.

Program Details:

Dates: June and July 2025 (no class on July 4)
Time: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM; Monday-Friday
Location: The Museum of Flight and Raisbeck Aviation High School (adjacent to the Museum)
Age: Rising 9th-12th grade students (Must be a Washington State resident)

Note: Students must provide their own transportation to and from The Museum of Flight.

Program Fee: No Cost
Credits: Participants can earn up to 0.5 high school CTE credits and 5 college credits through the Puget Sound Skills Center. To qualify, participants cannot miss more than two days of class.

Learn More About Earning Credit


Why Should You Sign-Up?

  • You'll learn the fundamentals of becoming a pilot in a hands-on environment
  • You'll create a base of knowledge needed to pass the FAA private pilot written exam
  • You'll get hands-on in our state-of-the-art flight simulation lab
  • You will meet and network with aviation industry professionals
  • You'll explore local aerospace companies
  • You'll have the opportunity to earn 0.5 High School Credits and 5 College Credits
  • And receive opportunities for internships and scholarships!


NOTE: Private Pilot Ground School is not a summer camp. 

PPGS is a formal credit-bearing high school summer school course run through the Puget Sound Skills Center. This means participation in this program is placed on your transcript and will reflect your overall GPA. The program includes graded tests, quizzes, and projects and is equivalent to a semester-long course. Students must attend class daily for the entire day, but you are able to miss up to two days before receiving a non-passing grade. If you know that you will not be able to attend the course in its entirety, you should evaluate if you want to participate in the program to ensure it won’t show up as a non-passing grade on your transcript.

How to Apply:

Thank you to those who joined us for summer 2024! Check back in the spring for summer 2025 information. If you wish to be notified when the 2025 application opens, please fill out the Program Interest Form at the link below.

Program Interest Form



Delta Air Lines is the Exclusive Airline Funding Partner
for 2024 Private Pilot Ground School

Delta Air Lines



For more information, contact GroundSchool@museumofflight.org or call 206-764-0276.