Monday, April 18, 2011

Learning to Fly

Over the last few years, I have talked to a number of people who have been interested in learning to fly and becoming a pilot. To that end, I had compiled a list of links and information and tended to email it to them when they were in the process of booking their first flight lesson. It dawned on me that I had never posted it to the blog so here's my compilation of links and info on learning to fly for all to see.
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AOPA/EAA
The general links to EAA's (Experiemental Aircraft Association) and AOPA's (Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association) Learn to Fly websites. If you get serious, you should join AOPA or both, it's inexpensive and well worth the annual dues:
http://eaa.org/learntofly/ - the have a nice downloadable PDF booklet called "Reach for the Sky"
http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/ - A free 6-month subscription to Flight Training magazine just for signing up


Introductory Videos
To get started, take a look at these courses, they are free and incredibly well produced.
also UND Aerospace, Sportys and King have some free instructional videos. The UND ones are fantastic.
UND - http://www.undaerocast.com/ (start from the bottom and work your way up)
Sporty's - http://www.youtube.com/user/SportysVideos
King - http://www.youtube.com/user/kingschoolsvideos


The Process
Here's a link to my blog where I wrote up my initial training (look for the early posts in 2007), but it's a good way to get an overall understanding of the steps. In the blog (you have to read the posts oldest to newest to get the timeline correct). This was for the private certificate but the sport license is a great way to get up in the air much sooner.
http://cld9.blogspot.com/


FAA Handbooks - They are free to download but I preferred to buy them in softcover off of amazon
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/ - from this link you want:
You will hear a lot about the FAR/AIM which stands for Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual. (FAR now referred to 14 CFR or Code of Federal Regulations as they are trying to get away from the FAR terminology). The FAR details all of the federal rules for flying. You will pay most attention to part 61 and 91. It's best to always buy this and in the beginning of the book it will tell you which sections and rules pertain to you. Also, the AIM is just what it says it is. Bascially best practices and general knowledge related to Aviation. The FAR/AIM is the bible and those other handbooks are supporting matarial but much easier to digest and read. You can buy the FAR/AIM on Amazon as well:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/156027655X
The FAA has a ton of additional information on their website if you want to check it out:
http://www.faa.gov/library/
http://www.faa.gov/pilots/


Other helpful books
Cessna 152 (A Pilot's Guide)
Visualized Flight Maneuvers Handbook: For High Wing Aircraft
Aviation Weather Services Handbook - another FAA handbook you can download


The Written Exam
You will also need to prepare for the written exam I found this book to be the most help
Private Pilot Test Prep 2008
Also, if you order a set of Sporty's videos (see Video section below), the will include a CD-ROM that has practice questions and lets you take mock exams.


Educational Videos
I've heard good and bad things about all three major instructional video producers: King, Gleim and Sportys. I purchased Sportys and was very happy with them.
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&did=19&product_id=9747
Pricey at $199 but very worthwhile.


The Practical Test
Once you get past all of the required flight time and you've past your written, you will then prepare for the practical test with the Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). The practical test will begin with an hour to two hour "conversation" where the DPE will probe your knowledge of ALL the available material you've learned over since your training began. Everything is fair game from your aircraft systems to weather to FARs to aiport ops, etc. To help prepare for that oral portion, this is a decent book:
Private Oral Exam Guide

If you pass the oral portion, you will then be asked to demonstrate the flying portion, and here are the maneuvers you will be tested on the the performance metrics:
go here: http://www.faa.gov/education_research/testing/airmen/test_standards/pilot/
and click -> Private Pilot Practical Test Standards for Airplane (PTS) for the PDF
You will definitely want to read the PTS in the early portions of your training as it will help to make sense of the training and the eventual goals. The PTS, like the FAR/AIM, is another "bible".


Helpful Websites
here's some links to general website I thought were helpful and pertinent

Podcasts
I can't say enough about how helpful many of these were to listen to in the car on the way in, and they're free... I found them and subscribed to them through iTunes which makes managing them easy, search on pilot, aviation, and flying.

Gear
Flying wouldn't be flying without gear. For starters you really do not need anything, just show up and you may be able to borrow a headset from your instructor. If you decide you like it, buy a decent quality one that is relatively affordable (they go up in price to around $1,000...). I purchase a David Clark H10-14.3 which is a classic, passive noise reduction headset. DCs are known for legendary quality and now that I've purchased an active noise reduction headset I have one for passengers. When you and I flew in the 152, my old DC is then one you used.

For gear, charts, and other items I've found SkyGeek to have the best prices, shipping and customer service.
You may also want a flight bag of some sort but I just used an old duffel for a while.

Good Luck and Have Fun!
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