Live 1-on-1 Ground Training via Zoom

Know ItBefore YourOral.

Personalized ground training sessions focused on building deep aeronautical knowledge — so you walk into your oral exam confident, prepared, and ready to fly.

View Courses How It Works
Gold
Seal CFI / CFII
1-on-1
Live Zoom Sessions
PPL · IR · CPL
All Levels Covered
Programs

Ground Training for Every Level

Live sessions tailored to your certificate level. We focus on genuine understanding — not memorization — so your knowledge holds up under DPE questioning.

Private Pilot ✈️
PPL Oral Prep

Build the foundational knowledge your DPE will probe. We work through the ACS standards conversationally so you can explain — not just recall — what you know.

  • Aerodynamics & aircraft systems
  • Weather interpretation & go/no-go decisions
  • FAR/AIM regulations in plain language
  • Airspace, charts & cross-country planning
  • Simulated oral Q&A practice
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Instrument Rating 🧭
IFR Oral Prep

IFR orals are demanding. We'll walk through approaches, holds, regulations, and system failures until you can confidently talk through any scenario your examiner throws at you.

  • IFR regs, clearances & ATC procedures
  • Approach plates & minimums deep-dive
  • Holding patterns & missed approach logic
  • IMC weather & flight planning decisions
  • Simulated oral Q&A practice
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Commercial Pilot 🏅
CPL Oral Prep

Commercial orals expect a higher standard. We focus on advanced aerodynamics, complex systems, and commercial regulations so you present as the professional pilot you're becoming.

  • Commercial privileges, limitations & regs
  • Advanced aerodynamics & performance
  • Complex & high-performance aircraft systems
  • Weight & balance for commercial ops
  • Simulated oral Q&A practice
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All Levels 📚
General Ground

Not prepping for a specific checkride? These sessions cover core aeronautical knowledge topics at any stage of training — great for filling gaps, building confidence, or staying sharp.

  • Airspace structure & classifications
  • Aircraft systems
  • Aerodynamics
  • VFR charts & navigation
  • Cross-country planning
  • FAA regulations
  • Aeronautical decision making
  • Meteorology
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John Schaffer — CFI, CFII, Regional FO
Gold Seal
CFI / CFII
Regional FO
Active Airline Pilot
2025
S. Central Nominee
Gold Seal
CFI / CFII
Regional FO
Airline Pilot
2025
S. Central Nominee
Your Instructor

Hi, I'm John.

Gold Seal CFI CFII Regional Airline FO Aggie Class of '22

I'm a Texas A&M grad who started my career as an office engineer in Austin — working commercial construction. My third project put me at Austin Bergstrom Airport, watching planes land all day long. That was it. I was hooked.

I was the first pilot on my side of the family — but the 9th on my wife's. My father-in-law, a Boeing 777 Captain for a major airline, took me from my very first solo all the way to CFI and CFII in just 7 months. I quit my engineering job and went all in.

I went on to teach at a Part 61 flight school out of David Wayne Hooks (DWH), helping students earn their PPL, Instrument Rating, and Commercial certificates. I earned my Gold Seal CFI/CFII and was nominated Best Flight Instructor for the South Central Region in 2025. Today I fly as a First Officer for a regional airline — and I started Checkride Ready to give back.

"I started Checkride Ready because I know what it takes to walk into an oral prepared — and I want every student to have that edge. I'm not here to replace your CFI. I'm here to be a second set of eyes, sharpen your knowledge, and make sure you show up ready to impress your examiner."
Book a Session with John
Why Checkride Ready

Built for How Pilots Actually Learn

No test-cramming. No memorized answers. Just real understanding that holds up when a DPE is sitting across from you.

🎥
Live 1-on-1 via Zoom

Every session is live with a real instructor — not pre-recorded videos. Sessions adapt to you, your aircraft, and your specific knowledge gaps in real time.

🎯
Oral Exam Simulation

We run mock oral sessions so the real thing feels familiar. You'll practice explaining concepts out loud — exactly what your DPE will ask you to do.

🗓️
Flexible Scheduling

Book sessions around your training schedule. Whether you need one session a week or an intensive checkride prep weekend — we work around you.

👨‍✈️
Real Pilot, Real Answers

Your instructor brings practical, real-world experience to every session. You'll understand the why behind the regulation, not just the rule itself.

Attitude Indicator
What Students Say

Straight from the Students

Reviews submitted as part of John's AOPA Flight Training Experience Award nomination — South Central Region, 2025.

John has been my flight instructor over the past 4 months. He is continually improving and expanding his own skill set, but also makes every effort to impart his knowledge in an effective and pragmatic way. The theory jumps from the pages to the controls. He stresses operational safety — learning to fly has its stressful moments, but it should also be fun while maintaining a high degree of responsibility.

★
Student Pilot
AOPA Nomination Review · 90/100

John is very knowledgeable in the aspects of flying with a desire to teach. He goes above and beyond to make sure his students learn and understand the various components of flying. He is able to break down complex concepts into simple and understandable information. With his excellent technical skills and easy-going personality, he has helped me develop the ability to fly an aircraft.

★
Student Pilot
AOPA Nomination Review · 88/100

John was instrumental in my success when I was finishing up my commercial certificate. He prepared me well for the checkride and continues to reach out to stay in touch with my progression as a pilot. He is the perfect example of a professional instructor, always taking the time to answer questions and make corrections with patience and wisdom.

★
Commercial Student
AOPA Nomination Review · 86/100

John is always prepared for each flight and lesson. He is very skilled at tailoring the information to each student and their learning style, as well as utilizing teaching and visual aids. He encourages his students to go out, meet, and network with others in the aviation community — he is clearly passionate about flying and teaching.

★
Student Pilot
AOPA Nomination Review · 90/100

He's very professional and keeps a level head while also pushing his students to be safe pilots. In the time that he's instructed me, I've seen him get many students comfortable and checkride ready. I would recommend him to anyone!

★
Student Pilot
AOPA Nomination Review · 90/100

From early morning journeys to midnight expeditions, John was always ready for anything. His unwavering dedication, patience, and passion for aviation have not only made me a better pilot but also a more confident individual. I am immensely grateful for his guidance and mentorship, which have left a lasting impact on my aviation journey.

★
Instrument Student
AOPA Nomination Review · 89/100
Pricing

Simple, Transparent Rates

All sessions are live 1-on-1 via Zoom. No subscriptions, no hidden fees — just focused ground training when you need it.

Single Hour
$50
per hour
  • 1 hour of live Zoom instruction
  • Tailored to your certificate level
  • Any topic — oral prep or ground instruction
  • Follow-up Q&A via email
Book Now
Most Popular
3-Hour Block
$140
save $10 · $46.67/hr
  • 3 hours of live Zoom instruction
  • Ideal for focused checkride prep
  • Progress tracked across hours
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Follow-up Q&A via email
Book Now
5-Hour Block
$225
save $25 · $45/hr
  • 5 hours of live Zoom instruction
  • Full oral exam preparation sprint
  • All topics covered systematically
  • Mock oral exam included
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Follow-up Q&A via email
Book Now

Sessions are paid directly to John via Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal prior to scheduling.

Book a Session

Ready to Prep?

Reach out directly and we'll get a Zoom session scheduled around your training timeline.

Email
John_schaffer@outlook.com
Phone / Text
(936) 676-9776

DISCLAIMER: Checkride Ready provides supplemental ground training and oral exam preparation only. These sessions do not constitute an FAA-approved ground school course and do not fulfill any regulatory training requirements. Checkride Ready does not issue endorsements for the FAA written (knowledge) test or for checkrides. Students are responsible for obtaining all required endorsements and completing all regulatory prerequisites through a certificated flight instructor (CFI). This service is intended solely as preparation to help students build knowledge and confidence ahead of their oral examination.