need advice on ground school book

I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly. If anyone has the
updated version is it the same stuff inside or is it completely re-written
and easy to understand? If that book is out of the question are there any
other titles that a novice could read and have the concepts and topics
explained properly and easy to understand.?

Thanks in advance

"party boy" wrote in message
...

I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.

The latest version isn't any better...

--
Jeff Shirton jshirton at cogeco dot
ca

Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below
and smite thee. - William Kershner
Challenge me (Theophilus) for a game of chess at Chessworld.net!

"Jeff Shirton" wrote in message
...
"party boy" wrote in message
...

I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.

The latest version isn't any better...

--

I'm curious.

Can you point a specific section that you find "poorly written and doesn't
explain the topics properly", in the latest version ("Millenium" Edition).

"Icebound" wrote in message
...

I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.

The latest version isn't any better...

I'm curious.

Can you point a specific section that you find "poorly written and doesn't
explain the topics properly", in the latest version ("Millenium" Edition).

Well, my main reason for responding was the "poorly written" part.
It is dry, *oh* so dry, an absolute chore to read (and I love reading
about aviation). All the instructors at my FBO share the opinion of
the book.

But now that you ask about "doesn't explain...properly", now that
I think about, it seems to me that every time I would read something
in the AIP (Cdn. version of the AIM), and I wanted a clearer explanation,
I'd turn to "From the Ground Up", and find nothing but an exact same
copy of the text, the exact same wording. All they did was lift the exact
text of the AIP into FtGU. They could have at *least* paraphrased,
and added some commentary.

--
Jeff Shirton jshirton at cogeco dot
ca

Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below
and smite thee. - William Kershner
Challenge me (Theophilus) for a game of chess at Chessworld.net!

"Jeff Shirton" wrote in message
news
"Icebound" wrote in message
...

I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw
a updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it
is poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.

The latest version isn't any better...

I'm curious.

Can you point a specific section that you find "poorly written and
doesn't explain the topics properly", in the latest version ("Millenium"
Edition).

Well, my main reason for responding was the "poorly written" part.
It is dry, *oh* so dry, an absolute chore to read (and I love reading
about aviation). All the instructors at my FBO share the opinion of
the book.

But now that you ask about "doesn't explain...properly", now that
I think about, it seems to me that every time I would read something
in the AIP (Cdn. version of the AIM), and I wanted a clearer explanation,
I'd turn to "From the Ground Up", and find nothing but an exact same
copy of the text, the exact same wording. All they did was lift the exact
text of the AIP into FtGU. They could have at *least* paraphrased,
and added some commentary.


Well, then you are talking only about FTGU Part II Air Law, and the last 12
pages of part III Weather, about 42 pages.... against basically the first
357 pages of the AIP..

I consider that condensation of the really-important as a pretty *good*
accomplishment, unless there are actual errors.

It's a text. It should be up to the ground-school instructor to provide
commentary and explanation. Unfortunately, I actually found the FTGU text
far more useful at explanation than were the ground-school instructors.
Especially so with respect to the remaining sections on Weather, and the
section on Navigation.

I also have Machado's Private Pilot Handbook, which covers much the same
territory as FTGU, but not applicable in Canada as far as Air Law, of
course. But if you want commentary....
:-)

go with Gleims or ASA. Personally I prefer the ASA test prep book.
"party boy" wrote in message
...
I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly. If anyone has the
updated version is it the same stuff inside or is it completely re-written
and easy to understand? If that book is out of the question are there any
other titles that a novice could read and have the concepts and topics
explained properly and easy to understand.?

Thanks in advance





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Party Boy
Aviation topics are not always easy to understand no matter how clearly
written. There are a lot of complex subjects to learn, comprehend and
put into practice.
I'm curious, are you a novice or looking for someone else?
If its just test prep, there are several good ones out there. If its
solid and serious basic ground school, you'll be reading more than a
couple of books that each address a segment of aviation required for
good understanding. One of the best I have seen was written by a man
named McCloud in Canada. He compiled it from available information for
his own ground school with his own additions.I used it to get my Canada
commercial license a number of years back. Flying is flying, weather is
weather (with special weather conditions), navigation is navigation,
etc. None of it is easy for some and real easy for others. Most of us
fall someplace in the middle.

My ground school used Jeppesen book. We found the book a bit too
simplistic. Here is my learn-to-fly experience

1. Best book (and cheapest book) to prepare for the FAA written exam:
Gleim's FAA Knowledge Test
2. Best 'reference' books for your aviation knowledge: Trevor Thom
Private & Commercial Manual & Trevor Thom Flight Training
3. Best practical book for learning how to fly: Ralph Butcher's Private
Pilot Flight Training Manual (http://www.skyroamers.com)
4. Best book to prepare for the oral exam: ASA Oral Exam Guide -
Private
5. Best learn-to-fly website: http://www.whittsflying.com
6. Best communication book: Say Again,Please: Guide to Radio
Communications by Bob Gardner
7. Best weather books: FAA Aviation Weather & Aviation Weather
Services

I used Jeppsen and really loved the book but can't speak for the new one
that is out. I do know they have an excellent weather text out now (a
bit pricy but worth it) that I just bought for a friend.

For my advanced training I used Kershner which I would recomend. He has
a private text out too which is probably just as good. His writing
style is humorous as well as informative so he keeps you reading and
learning rather than falling asleep.

Helen

("Helen Woods" wrote)
I used Jeppsen and really loved the book but can't speak for the new one
that is out. I do know they have an excellent weather text out now (a
bit pricy but worth it) that I just bought for a friend.


I was happy with my Jeppesen book as well.


Montblack