[Porsche-O-Phile]

Put it this way: Ground school instruction is far more expensive than the books/CDs are. If you can study up on your own, you'll convince your instructor that you're "on the ball" and don't need to spend hours and hours in the classroom (with the meter running). It'll save you a lot of money in the long run.

Of course your instructor will be (should be) more than happy to clarify any issues you don't quite get or brush up on things you don't fully understand from your independent study. You'll also probably need to do a few review sessions, quizzes and so-forth. A written test given by the instructor is required before solo, a good instructor will give you a few others too, mostly to set his/her mind at ease.

Of course some people just love to be handed everything too, and will pay for the one-on-one classroom time. As a CFI, I loved those types - easy money and you don't even have to go flying that day.

But it's your call. You know what works best for you. I recommend independent study though.