During the cold months when these conditions may ground us, you and your instructor will concentrate more on the ground instruction portion of your training. That way, no matter what the weather conditions, you will always make progress toward your flying goal. No, only an examination by a FAA Certified Aviation Medical Examiner will qualify to be used for your pilot license. Ground training can be done simultaneously with flight training. W.F.S. normally requires students to accomplish the appropriate knowledge exam prior to starting cross-country training.
Some students prefer to get the ground training done before flight training.
You have to do what is best for you and your schedule. Even if your initial emphasis is on ground training we suggest you fly at least once every month to remind you why your studying. This includes the pre-flight briefing, the flight lesson, and the post flight briefing. Initially the flight portion of the lesson will be 30 - 50 minutes, eventually working toward an hour. If weather interferes with the flight lesson, then a ground lesson will be substituted.