flyCowboys vs King Schools

King Schools has been a trusted name in aviation education since 1974, known for their video-based courses featuring John and Martha King. But in 2026, is passive video learning still the best way to pass your FAA written exam? Here is an honest comparison.

Quick Comparison

A side-by-side look at the key differences

Feature	flyCowboys	King Schools
Price	$29.99/mo or $167.99/yr	$279 one-time
Mobile App		Limited
AI Personalization
AI ATC Radio Practice
Flight Logbook Included
Pass Guarantee	100% refund	Money-back
Content Updates	Monthly	Annually
Study Method	AI + Active Recall	Video Lectures
Practice Questions	3,500+ (PPL + IFR)	1,000+

Pricing Breakdown

See how the costs compare

RECOMMENDED

flyCowboys

$29.99/mo or $167.99/yr

3-day annual trial included

AI-powered active recall
AI ATC radio practice
Pass guarantee
Cancel anytime

King Schools

$279

One-time purchase

Traditional study method
No AI radio practice
No AI personalization
Limited content updates

King Schools: Pros & Cons

A fair and balanced look at what King Schools does well and where it falls short

What King Schools Does Well

Established brand with decades of aviation education experience since 1974
John and Martha King are engaging instructors with a proven teaching style
Comprehensive video content that covers all FAA knowledge areas in depth
One-time purchase means no recurring subscription fees
Well-structured curriculum that follows the FAA ACS standards closely

Where King Schools Falls Short

Video-based learning is passive, which research shows is less effective for retention than active recall methods
No AI-powered personalization to focus study time on your weakest areas
No AI radio practice or built-in flight logbook. The course ends at the written
Limited mobile experience: not designed as a mobile-first app for studying on the go
Content updates happen infrequently, meaning you may study outdated material
Higher upfront cost with no free trial to test the product before committing

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Our Verdict

King Schools is a respected name in aviation education, and their video courses are well-produced. However, modern learning science shows that active recall and spaced repetition are significantly more effective than passive video watching. flyCowboys leverages AI to personalize your study plan, adds AI ATC radio practice and a built-in flight logbook that a video course cannot offer, and costs less if you study for the typical 1-2 months most students need. If you prefer sitting through video lectures, King Schools is a solid choice. If you want to study smarter, faster, and on your phone, flyCowboys is the better fit.

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See Plans & Pricing

3-day annual trial • Cancel anytime • Pass guarantee included