Re: A freshly minted pilot's advice to new folks
- From: "Rob" <sdl_pilot@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 6 Sep 2005 22:49:55 -0700
Blair wrote:
> As a brand new licensed pilot I thought I'd share a few tidbits of
> advice for students (new and potential) based on my experiences. Some
> of it's obvious and it's all IMHO but nonetheless...
>
> [Books]
>
> If you could buy just two books (besides FAR/AIM) I would highly
> recommend the FAA's Airplane Flying Handbook and Pilot's Handbook of
> Aeronautical Information. Nearly everything I ever needed to know was
> in these. Kershner, ASA, Jepp etc. equivalents are fine if you want a
> slightly different perspective on things but there's really nothing in
> any of them that isn't in the FAA books (while the opposite can't be
> said). Nice to see the government do something right.
>
> For written test prep ASA and Gleim are both good. Gleim's format
> (questions and answers on facing pages) is a easier to study.
>
> I liked Bob Gardner's Say Again, Please. Especially valuable if you
> live in complex airspace (like here in the Bay Area).
>
> Finally, I found ASA's Private Oral Exam guide a fantastic help in
> preparing for the oral portion of the checkride.
>
> [DVDs]
>
> I bought Sporty's prep DVDs but I didn't find them all that useful. If
> you don't like to read all the time, though, they might suit you.
>
> [AOPA]
>
> Easy one. Join ASAP.
>
> Subscribe to both AOPA Pilot and AOPA Flight Training magazines.
> Besides training articles it's good to read stories about flying in
> general just to get immersed in this world.
>
> And get renter's insurance!
>
> [R.A.S.]
>
> Read the posts here. Often. Plus, after your CFI it's the best source
> for answers to your pressing questions (but don't take every word here
> as law).
>
> [Medical]
>
> Do not, do not, do not just pick a medical examiner at random! First
> use AOPA's resources to know ahead of time what will be required of
> you. Then ask everyone at your club/school for recommendations. This
> can BURN you if you're not careful. And get your medical certificate
> ASAP. Before you start training even. I'm speaking from experience
> here.
>
> [Slumps]
>
> You will have at least one (for me it was landings after I thought I
> had a handle on them). And you will be tempted to get frustrated.
> Don't. Because I guarantee you will work your way through it and
> wonder what all the fuss was about.
>
> [MS Flight Simulator]
>
> Bah. Personally I found it worthless in terms of actually learning
> flying skills. Don't waste money on rudder pedals (like I did). The
> one thing it's useful for is early on getting familar with procedures
> and following checklists.
>
> [Web sites]
>
> I think there's an ongoing thread on this but here are some that I
> would recommend:
>
> http://www.aopa.org (countless resources)
> http://www.dauntless-soft.com/PRODUCTS/Freebies/VFRFlightPlanner/
> (free, useful spreadsheets and forms)
> http://www.mywrittenexam.com/mwe/ (great site for practice written
> tests)
> http://adds.aviationweather.noaa.gov/ (where I go for quick weather)
> http://whittsflying.com/ (reams of advice)
>
> And two nice articles on flight planning that I thought were worth
> saving:
>
> http://www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/article.cfm?article=3535
> http://www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/2001/ounce0105.html
>
>
> [Low wing versus high wing]
>
> Low wing. Next topic.
>
> ;)
>
> [Misc]
>
> - Take the written within a few weeks of your checkride. It'll all be
> fresh in your mind.
>
> - Remember the words "clearing turns" and repeat it over and over and
> over and over.
>
> - Repeat the word "checklist" over and over also. BTW, I found
> official or third party checklists sometimes inadequate in some areas
> (i.e. in terms of logical flow). Make your own (but have your CFI
> approve them).
>
> - If you live near an airport get an air band scanner or a handheld
> transciever. Nothing better for learning the language than kicking
> back in your house and listening to ATC. If aren't near an airport
> take your scanner/radio and go park near a runway. It's a blast
> watching planes come and go and being able to hear what everyone's
> saying.
>
>
> That's all off the top of my head. Will post more if it comes to me.
> Hope someone will find this helpful.
>
>
> Cheers.
>
> Blair
> PP-ASEL
Mostly great advice here IMO. I'd add AOPA's legal plan to the
membership and renter's insurance. Also, I took and passed the written
before I started any dual instruction. I feel I saved time and money
by demonstrating I had a good grip on the ground school/textbook type
stuff before I started flying. I've heard the flight simulator is more
useful during instrument training than it is for primary training.
I'll let you know in a couple of months... 7-week instrument ground
school starts next Tuesday. I'm going to do the same thing and pass
the written before I start the dual. Guess I'm a student again :).
-R
.
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- A freshly minted pilot's advice to new folks
- From: Blair
- A freshly minted pilot's advice to new folks
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