Software Installation
Software Use
Updating the Question Database and Aviation Library
Uninstall Software
Purchase, Shipping and Return Questions
Can't Find the Answer Here?
Software Installation:
I purchased a software download. How do I download my product?
Can I install this software as many times as times as I like?
What are the system requirements for software purchased from Powerful Learning?
Do I need to uninstall the demo version before I install the full version?
My malware/spyware software says that it detects a trojan. Is it safe to continue installation?
Data on my screen seems misaligned or jumbled after installation?
Software Use - Configuring and Launching Tests:
What is the difference between the Learning Mode, Test Mode and Flashcard Mode?
How can I best duplicate the testing experience that I will have at an FAA testing center?
Do the "Configure Categories" and "Test Options" windows have any effect on the Test Mode and/or Flashcard Mode?
In the Flashcard Mode, how can I select which categories to receive questions from?
In the Test Mode, can I select which categories to receive questions from?
Is there any way to tell how many questions are in a test before I launch it?
Why doesn't the Flashcard Mode offer me the opportunity to choose the number of questions loaded for a test session (like the Test Mode and Learning Mode do)?
In the Test mode, do I have the option to choose the number of questions to load for the test session?
Are test questions delivered in a fixed order or in a random order?
How can I generate a test with
random questions?
Software Use - Inside the Tests:
In the Explanation window, in the reference section, there are codes (e.g. H301, B07, etc.). What do these codes mean?
Sometimes, even though the Knowledge Test Code in the reference section of the explanation window refers to one document, when I click the LEARN button, it takes me to a different document. Is this a programming error?
Why are there some Explanation windows that do not have an explanation, but rather, only have the statement "Click the LEARN button for an explanation."?
Why is it that when I take a test in the Learning Mode or Test Mode it might have a certain number of questions, yet when I take the same test in the Flashcard Mode, it has fewer questions?
The explanation in the lower window of the Flashcard Mode is cut off. How can I scroll the lower window to read the entire message?
Can I print an individual question?
Can I change font sizes within the testing windows?
The "Show Answers" button doesn't work on some questions. Why not?
Software Use - Miscellaneous:
After I install the software on my computer, is the Aviation Library located on my computer, on the CD, or online?
How can I print out more sectional charts so I can practice plotting?
What should I do if I can't print out the sectional charts to practice on?
There are various ways to obtain the charts needed for plotting (inside the test, on the CD, download, purchase). Are all of these charts the same quality/resolution?
Why don't the images print when I print an individual question?
Are the questions in my FAA Knowledge test are current?
Can I update my manuals?
During installation, there was an Installation Document that I read. How can I access that document again?
Updating the Question Database and Aviation Library:
How do I keep my FAA Test questions updated?
How do I keep my Aviation Library updated?
Is my entire Aviation Library, including the FARs and AIM, updatable?
How often should I update my FAA Test questions?
How often should I update my Aviation Library?
Will I be notified when updates are available?
Uninstalling software:
How do I uninstall this software from a machine with a Vista operating system?
How do I uninstall this software from a machine running anything other than a Vista operating system?
Does Powerful Learning software make any registry entries that need to be deleted?
Purchase, Shipping and Return Questions:
What forms of payment are accepted?
How will my purchase from Powerful Learning show up on my credit card statement?
Do you ship outside the U.S.?
How long will it take to download the software?
I don't want to order over the internet. What other ordering options do I have?
How soon after placing my order will the product be shipped?
How will I know when my product has been shipped?
What shipping method is used and how long will it take until I receive my software?
What is you return policy?
Software Installation:
I purchased a software download. How do I download my product?
After completing your download purchase, you will
have received an email with the subject line "Download
Instructions". This email contains your download link
and your installation license key. Because this is an
automatically generated email, and depending on how your
spam filters are set up by you or your email client,
this email may have been marked as spam and placed in
your spam folder. Please check all of your inbound email
folders (particularly your spam folder) before
contacting Powerful Learning.
If you still cannot find this email, using the same
email address that you entered when you purchased the
product, please email us at
sales@powerful-learning.com. We will reply with your
download link and your license key.
Can I install
this software as many times as I like?
No. Each software purchase allows you 2
installations. The license agreement specifies that each
purchase allows one user to install our software on up
to two computers. Our activation technology will prevent
you from installing this software more than two times.
What are the system requirements for software purchased
from Powerful Learning?
- U.S. version of
Windows ME, 2000, XP (Windows NT is not
supported), or Vista
- 300 MHZ processor
- 256 MB RAM (or
minimum required by your OS)
- 4X CD-ROM/DVD-ROM
Drive
- Mouse or other
pointing device
- 160 MB of
free hard disk space
- High color (800 x
600) resolution video card
It is important to
understand that the requirements listed are a
minimum. Although the software will run, it will not
run at its optimum performance. Screen layouts are
displaced based on a resolution of 1024x768. Any
settings below this may cause documents and explanations
to be cutoff, thereby requiring scrolling to read the
entire document.
Do
I need to uninstall the demo version before I install
the full version?
No. The demo versions of
our software are completely independent software
packages. You can install the full version of any
of our software products without uninstalling the demo
version.
My malware/spyware software says that it detects a trojan. Is it safe to continue installation?
The reason that most software installation programs require you to turn off your antivirus/malware/spyware software is because any one of these programs may identify a software installation as malicious. ANY install program can be flagged as a virus if it tries to modify registry settings or make use of the temp folder. In addition, any executable can be identified as a trojan.
There have been instances where Bit Defender identifies our installation executable as a trojan when it tries to write to the Temp folder. Please be certain your antivirus/malware/spyware software is completely shut down prior to reinstalling your software.
Data on my screen seems misaligned or jumbled after installation?
Most computers are shipped with the dpi set to the standard of 96dpi. Occasionally a manufacturer may ship a computer with a different setting and you may not even be aware of it. Changing the setting back to 96dpi should resolve this issue. Click here for information on how to change the setting in XP. Click here for information on how to change the setting in Vista.
Configuring and Launching Tests:
What is
the difference between the Learning Mode, Test Mode and Flashcard
Mode?
The Learning Mode gives you the full range of
study tools available with our software, the most important being
the "Learn" button. This button automatically links the test to the
Aviation Library.
The Test Mode (when available) has the same
look and feel of the Learning Mode, but does not give you the "Show
Answer" button and the "Explanation" button.
The Flashcard Mode (when available) is an
entirely different type of studying tool. It provides you with the
question, but no multiple choice answers to choose from (much like
reading a question on the front side of a flashcard with the answer on the back).
This requires you to come up with an answer without the "guessing"
factor present in multiple choice exams. When you click on the lower
window pane, the answer appears.
How can I best
duplicate the testing experience that I will have at an FAA testing
center?
The certification you are
testing for determines how many questions will be on your test. If
you are taking any of the Private Pilot certification tests for
example, you
will be given 60 questions and will have 2.5 hours to complete the
test.
If you are taking any of the
Recreational Pilot certification tests, you will be given 50
questions and will have 2 hours to complete the test.
If you are taking a transition
test, you will be given 30 questions and will have 1.5 hours to
complete the test.
For the Private Pilot Knowledge
Test, simply select the "FAA Timed Test" from the dropdown
list and launch it in the Test Mode. It will randomly select 60
questions from the FAA database and start a 2 1/2 hour
countdown timer. When your time is up, the test will end and be
graded.
Do the "Configure Categories" and
"Test Options" windows have any effect on the Test Mode and/or Flashcard
Mode?
No. The selections made in both
of these windows only applies to the Learning Mode.
In the
Flashcard Mode, I would like to select only one category from a test
and answer the questions from that category. How can I do that?
All tests taken in the Flashcard
Mode are delivered as whole tests. Unlike the Learning Mode, you
cannot choose one or two categories from a test and only have
questions from those categories delivered to the Flashcard Mode.
You can however, choose to answer
only questions from a certain category in a test. In the Flashcard
Test window, on the far right hand side of the right window pane, there is a column
labeled "Topic". After starting the Flashcard mode,
simply click on the word "Topic" and all questions will be grouped
by category. You can then easily choose which question category to
quiz yourself on.
In
the Test Mode, can I select which categories to receive questions
from?
No, you may not. This function is
only available in the Learning Mode. The Test Mode is primarily
designed to deliver the Knowledge Test to you in a random fashion
with few learning tools available. The Test Mode should be used to
replicate the test that will be delivered by the FAA. That will be a
test with randomly generated questions where you won't be able to
choose the categories!
Of course, you can also use the
Test Mode to challenge yourself with any of the other tests
available.
Is there any way to tell how
many questions are in a test before it is launched?
Yes. Click on the
Select A Test drop
down box and highlight a test. In the lower area of the Test Mode
window, a summary of the test, including the number of
questions contained in it, will be displayed.
Why doesn't
the Flashcard Mode offer me the opportunity to choose the number of
questions loaded for a test session (like the Test Mode and Learning
Mode do)?
The Flashcard Mode is unique in
that it shows you all of the questions available in the right window
pane as you are taking the test. From this window, you can choose to
answer only questions from certain categories, or you can start with
question number one and work your way down the list. The questions
are loaded in a different random order every time, therefore, if you
want to take a random test containing 25 questions in the Flashcard
Mode, just load the test and then answer the first 25 questions. It
will essentially be a different test every time.
In the Test mode, do
I have
the option to choose the number of questions to load for the test
session?
Yes. With the larger test databases
(ex. Knowledge Tests), if you don't choose a smaller number of
questions, the entire database will be loaded.
Are test questions delivered
in a fixed order or in a random order?
All tests are preprogrammed to deliver questions in a random order.
This, however, can be changed in the Learning Mode. Simply
select the test you want and click the "Configure Options" link. In
the Test Options window, uncheck the box labeled "shuffle the
questions into a random order".
How
can I generate a test with random questions?
In the Learning Mode and in the
Test Mode, you are given an option, at some point, to decide how
many questions from the database you would like. Any time you choose
to have some, but not all, of the questions from a database
delivered to your test, those questions will be randomly chosen and
will be different every time the test is loaded.
In the Flashcard Mode, all
questions in a test database are delivered; you are not given the
option to choose less than the entire database. However, the order
in which the questions are loaded into the Flashcard Test window is
different every time. By answering the questions in order from 1 -
#, you will essentially be taking a different random test every
time. Software Use - Inside the Tests:
In the Explanation window, in
the reference section, there are codes (e.g. H301, B07, I27, etc.).
What do these codes mean?
These are the Knowledge Test Codes for
the FAA Knowledge Tests that come from AC60-25F. Every
question in the FAA databank is referenced to a document
(manual, regulation, Advisory Circular, etc.). If you
would like to know what any of the knowledge codes are,
you can find a complete copy of AC60-25F in the Aviation
Library → Charts, Legends, Images → Knowledge
Test Codes.
Sometimes,
even though the Knowledge Test Code in the reference section of the
explanation window refers to one document, when I click the LEARN
button, it takes me to a different document. Is this a programming
error?
No, this is intentional. There
are often many sources that can be used to answer the same question.
There are times when the reference that the FAA has listed in their
Knowledge Test databank is not the best place to go to either find
an answer, or to learn about a subject in depth. The LEARN button
will ALWAYS take you to the answer. There are some times
however, when this will not match the FAA's Knowledge Test Code.
Why are there some Explanation
windows that do not have an explanation, but rather, only have the
statement "Click the LEARN button for an explanation."?
The philosophy behind the
Explanation window that we always strive to meet is to offer the
student information that would:
-
Explain the answer clearly
-
Offer insight
-
Offer easy to remember
phrases
-
Not just duplicate the
information found in the source document
There are instances however, where the answer is
clearly defined and/or explained when you click the LEARN button. In these instances,
instead of simply providing you with redundant information in the
Explanation window, we take you directly to the source.
Why is it that when I take a
test in the Learning Mode or Test Mode it might have a certain
number of questions, yet when I take the same test in the Flashcard
Mode, it has fewer questions?
Simple, the Flashcard Mode has no way of displaying
images. Any questions in a test that have images
associated with them are not delivered in the Flashcard
Mode. For example, if a test contains 32 questions and 8
of those questions have images associated with them,
then when you take this test in the Flashcard Mode, you
will only see the 24 questions that don't have images.
The
explanation in the lower window of the Flashcard Mode is cut off.
How can I scroll the lower window to read the entire message?
Simply
hold your left mouse button down and drag your cursor to the bottom
of the answer window to scroll down and to the top of the window to
scroll up.
Can I print an individual
question?
Yes. In the Learning Mode or
Test
Mode just use the PRINT button located on the upper right hand
corner of the screen.
The question, answers, explanation, and reference will
be printed. If there is an image associated with the
question, the image will not print. All images that you
may find on the FAA Knowledge Test can be printed from
the Charts, Legends and Images page. This page can be
accessed directly from the Aviation Library. In the Flashcard Mode, click on the FILE menu
and select "print current flashcard" from the dropdown box.
Can I change font sizes within
the testing windows?
Only in the Flashcard Mode. In
the Flashcard Mode testing window click on the OPTIONS menu on the
upper toolbar.
The "Show Answers" button
doesn't work on some questions. Why not?
The SHOW
ANSWERS button will not work on the following question types:
-
Drag
and Drop (using your mouse to drag and drop a box in the
appropriate spot)
-
Hot
Spot (Clicking on the appropriate location on an image)
-
Matching (questions where you have to match multiple items from
dropdown boxes).
Software Use - Miscellaneous:
After I install the software, is the Aviation
Library located on my computer, on the CD or online?
The Aviation Library is installed on your hard drive
when you install the software on your computer. This
library can continuously be updated through our web site.
How can I
print out more sectional charts so I can practice plotting?
FAA Knowledge
Test images - All Knowledge Test images can be
printed from the "Charts, Legends and Images" page. This
page can be accessed directly from the Aviation Library,
or by clicking on the "print Charts" button inside the
testing window.
Click on any of the "PRINT" links to open a printable
document for the item you want.
We highly
recommend that you print your images on photo paper and
set your printer to its highest quality setting. To
order additional sectional charts from
Powerful-Learning, click here.
What should I do if I can't print out the sectional charts to
practice on?
Have the charts printed for you - We have made all
of the charts that you need available as high resolution
jpeg files. If you purchased a CD, you will find these
files in the "Chart Kit" folder on the CD. Double
click My Computer (on your desktop), double click on the drive
that represents your CD drive, and double click on the
"Chart Kit" folder. You can also download these files for free from our web site. You can either bring, or email these files to any Staples or Kinkos and they will print them for you.
Order a chart kit - These charts are also available for purchase for $9 from our web site. click here to
order a chart kit.
There are various ways to obtain the charts needed for
plotting (inside the test, on the CD, download, purchase). Are
all of these charts the same quality/resolution?
No - It is important to understand, however, that
even the lowest resolution chart is of a quality that is
perfectly adequate for your plotting needs. Listed below
are all of the different methods in which charts can be
obtained, from lowest resolution to highest.
Charts printed from inside the test - Each
chart is approximately 500KB
Charts downloaded for free in a Chart Kit -
Each chart is approximately 12MB
Charts printed from the Chart Kit on your CD -
Each chart is approximately 45MB
Charts purchased from Powerful Learning - Each
chart is approximately 45MB.
Why don't the
images print when I print an individual question?
Images will not print
from inside the Testing window. If you would like to
print out any images for the FAA Knowledge Test, you can
do so from the "Charts, Legends, and Images" page. This
page can be accessed from the Aviation Library.
Are the
questions in my FAA Knowledge test are current?
All question and answer databases
are current at the time they are sold.
In order for you to always have a current database, you
should use the update feature built into the software.
Simply click the "Update Software" button on the main
launch screen and follow the instructions on the
software update web page.
Can I update my manuals?
Yes. Clicking on the
"Update Software" button on the main launch screen
updates both your question and answer database and
the books in your Aviation Library.
During installation, there was an
Installation Document that I read. How can I access that document
again?
Simply
click
here to access the "Installation Document". You can also
find the installation Document on the CD - just right click on My
Computer and then click OPEN. Right click on your CD drive and then
click OPEN. Double click on the Installation Document.rtf
Updating the Question Database and Aviation Library:
How do I keep my FAA Test questions updated ?
Simply click on the
"Update Software" link on the main launch window
for your software. You will be taken to the
appropriate update page on our web site. On this page
you will find the update links you need and
additional instructions.
How do I
keep my Aviation Library updated ?
Simply click on
the "Update Software" link on the main launch
window for your software. You will be taken to
the appropriate update page on our web site. On
this page you will find the update links you
need and additional instructions.
Is my
entire Aviation Library, including the FARs and
AIM, updatable?
Absolutely! In addition to keeping your FARs and
AIM up to date through our web site., check out
our FAR/AIM Notification
Service. It's free,
and you will never be out of touch with
important changes occurring in the FARs and AIM.
How
often should I update my FAA Test questions
?
The FAA can
change the database as often as 4 times per
year. At a minimum, you should update your
database every 6 months. When you purchase
your software, leave the box checked that
asks you "Please notify me when there is an
update available...". We will send you an
email anytime there is an update for your
software. If you have already purchased your
software and would like to be added to the
update notification list, please send an
email to
updatenotification@powerful-learning.com. Tell us
what software product you own and ask us to
add you to the software update list.
How often should I update my Aviation
Library ?
We
recommend that you update your Library
twice a year (or more). When you
purchase your software, leave the box
checked that asks you "Please notify me
when there is an update available...".
We will send you an email anytime there
is an update for your software. If you
have already purchased your software and
would like to be added to the update
notification list, please send an email
to
updatenotification@powerful-learning.com. Tell
us what software product you own and ask
us to add you to the software update list.
Will I be notified when updates are
available ?
As
long as when you purchased your
software, you left the box checked
that asked you if you wanted to be
notified. If you have already
purchased your software and would
like to be added to the update
notification list, please send an
email to
updatenotification@powerful-learning.com.
Tell us what software product you
own and ask us to add you to the
software update list.
Uninstall Software :
How do I uninstall this software from a machine with a Vista operating system?
Right click on the desktop shortcut and choose the 'Open file location' option from the context menu. In the left window pane, right click on the yellow folder with the software name and choose delete from the context menu. For example, if you wanted to delete the Private Pilot Study System from your computer, after choosing 'open file location', when your explorer window opens, you will see a yellow folder titled 'Private Pilot Study System' (or whatever the name of the software package you want to delete is). Right click on the folder and choose delete.
How do I uninstall this software from a machine running anything other than a Vista operating system?
Right click on the desktop shortcut and choose the 'Properties' option from the context menu. When the properties window opens, choose 'Find target'. A window will open displaying all of the software files. On the top toolbar click the icon that looks like a number of yellow folders with the word 'folders' next to it. In the left window pane, right click on the yellow folder with the software name and choose delete from the context menu. For example, if you wanted to delete the Private Pilot Study System from your computer', when your explorer window opens, you will see a yellow folder titled 'Private Pilot Study System' (or whatever the name of the software package you want to delete is). Right click on the folder and choose delete.
Does Powerful Learning software make any registry entries that need to be deleted?
No. No registry entries are made during the installation of our software.
Purchase, Shipping and Return Questions:
What
forms of payment are accepted?
We accept
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Checks. For information on ordering
by check,
click here.
How
will my purchase from Powerful Learning show up on
my credit card statement?
All purchases from
Powerful Learning will be shown on your credit card
statement as Powerful Learning, Inc.
Do you
ship outside the U.S.?
No, at the present
time we only ship within the U.S.
How long will it take to download the software ?
Because the
Aviation Library contains a significant number
of images, the size of the download is
approximately 160MB. Do not attempt to download our software
unless you have a high speed internet connection
(i.e. cable modem or ethernet connection). If
you use a dial up connection or
DSL connection, order your software on CD.
Download
time using high speed connection .....
Approximately 4-11 minutes.
I
don't want to order over the Internet.
What other ordering options do I have?
To order by
check, mail payment to:
Powerful Learning
P.O. Box 225
Hillsdale, NJ 07642
If
ordering in New Jersey, add 7% sales tax +
$3.50 for shipping.
If
ordering outside of New Jersey, only add
$3.50 for shipping.
Please note:
Orders placed by check will incur additional
shipping time
How soon
after placing my order will the product be shipped?
Your product will be
shipped within 24 - 48 hours of order receipt, if
your order was placed during our normal business hours
(Monday Through Friday from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M.) If your
order is placed outside of these hours, your product
will ship no later than 24 - 48 hours from the start of the
next business day.
Please note: Orders placed by
check will incur additional shipping time.
How will I
know when my product has been shipped?
When your product has
been shipped, you will receive an email to that effect.
Please note, the email subject line will read "Your
order has been shipped".
What
shipping method is used and how long will it take until I
receive my item(s)?
All software is
shipped First Class via the U.S. Postal Service.
Depending on where your software is being shipped to,
you can expect it to arrive within 2-4 business days.
All Study Cards are shipped as media through the U.S.
Postal Service. Depending on where your Study Cards are
being shipped to, you can expect them to arrive within
7-9 business days.
What is
your return policy?
Software - Software returns will be
accepted only under the following conditions: The
software must be returned in its original package. It
must be returned within 30 days of purchase. The
software cannot have been installed on any computers.
All of our software can be installed and activated two
times. We provide this as a convenience to our
customers. However, once the software has been activated
for the first time, we can no longer accept it as
a return.
Non-software products -
Non-software products may be returned as long as they are
returned undamaged, complete, and within 30 days of purchase.
Can't
find the answer here ?
If you still have
questions after using this FAQ section, please feel
free to email us at
technicalsupport@powerful-learning.com
