private pilot study suggestions?

A while back I posted a question regarding how to approach studying for
the private certificate. Thanks to all who responded.

I've been methodically planning out my long term and short term vision
of how to go about my training. Now that I have been digging into the
web and my Sporty's "What You Should Know" DVD series, I have some more
questions that I was hoping to get some answers for from anyone who has
helpful suggestions.

1) What do you think of the following study strategy:

Long Term Focus -- Study information about flying that rarely changes.
Question is, what information fits in this category? I'm still trying
to get my tongue around all the acronyms for the various publications
out there (AIM, FAR, etc.). Is there a canonical "list" of all the
aviation publications relevant to the private certificate and from that
list, how do I pick out the "foundational" and/or rarely changing
publications?

Short Term Focus -- Closer to going to ground school to prepare for the
written, study the more recent, ever-changing publications. Same
question applies as for the Long Term Focus publications--is there a
list and how do I pick out the ones that change frequently?

A side note: As a part of the Sporty's series, I have the PTS Study
Guide and their suggested training outline. I'm also a member of AOPA
until about June. I don't have anything else in hardcopy and want to
spend as little $$$ as possible until I'm committed financially to a
specific flight school, etc. So, most of my studying will be online
for now.

2) What is the best way to go about studying the dizzying amount of
information about aviation weather (I learn weather topics best with
visual aids)? Right now I'm mostly interested in gaining a good base
for understanding what is needed for ground school, the written, and
in-flight instruction. So many sources, so little knowledge to know
where find one or two to focus on.

3) I have a PocketPC that is great for studying information on the go
and during downtime. I've downloaded a few flashcard and quiz
programs, but haven't yet found "the one". I'm looking for a PocketPC
study aid that quizzes me on "graphical" topics (runway markings, etc.)
as well as purely "text" topics (FAA written). Know of any? If it
happens to be for just a regular computer that's cool too. I'm a
programmer and can adapt it for the PocketPC.

I know I have other questions, but this seems like enough for now. I
eagerly await anyone's responses.

Thanks!!

"crwng" writes:
A side note: As a part of the Sporty's series, I have the PTS Study
Guide and their suggested training outline. I'm also a member of AOPA
until about June. I don't have anything else in hardcopy and want to
spend as little $$$ as possible until I'm committed financially to a
specific flight school, etc. So, most of my studying will be online
for now.

You sound like you are in a similar situation to me. I want to learn
to fly, but for the next few months at least I am still a full time
student, and don't have the income to support a flying habit. :-)

I found that ebay is my friend. Lots of pilots try to sell off their
old study materials when they finish their training, or if they fail
to complete their training. You can get some really good deals.
Often what you find is not out of date at all, or is still new enough
to be useful and relevant...

Chris
--
Chris Colohan Email: PGP: finger
Web: www.colohan.com Phone: (412)268-4751

I will note that I had to take a 2-year break after my first 4 lessons
due to family medical situations - but I didn't lose the urge to learn.

I have a very strong recommendation to get the Rod Machado Private Pilot
book. It is much more in depth and clear than many books in a way that
is easy to read and understand.
It's not completely comprehensive, but has been the easiest tool to
understand. You can get it on Ebay for $10-$12 - just make sure you get
the newer version (check www.rodmachado.com).

Second, I purchased the Cessna Private Pilot CD-ROM program from my
local flight school. There's a trick that I found a way around.
This is an interactive program. And, you are supposed to go through
it with your Cessna certified school.
HOWEVER! The videos are MPEG files and are great demonstrations.
This cost $279! But, quite frankly, I am very satisfied even though I
couldn't go through all of the quizzes that were offered in the program.
The videos are great. They can play on your PC. They are pretty big, but
they can play on handheld Palms or WinCE machines if you have a free
application installed and a large memory card. There are dozens and dozens
of specific training videos, each run about 4-7 minutes in length.

There are other DVD programs out there to look at.
Look Jepesen, King, Sportys, etc. for other info.

Next - consider joining AOPA - checkout www.aopa.org.
The first 6 months are free (or low cost), and they have an outstanding
magazine for students that has MANY articles that are extremely valuable
each month - directed specifically at flight students.

Private Pilot magazine is a waste of money for students.
Flying Magazine, however, has some value for students, but the AOPA
magazine is a much better choice.

There are many webs sites with free info.
The FAA has free Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) that has
great info in.

When you get closer, then worry about the ground school

Hope that helps a little!

crwng wrote:
A while back I posted a question regarding how to approach studying
for
the private certificate. Thanks to all who responded.

I've been methodically planning out my long term and short term
vision
of how to go about my training. Now that I have been digging into
the
web and my Sporty's "What You Should Know" DVD series, I have some
more
questions that I was hoping to get some answers for from anyone who
has
helpful suggestions.

1) What do you think of the following study strategy:

Long Term Focus -- Study information about flying that rarely
changes.
Question is, what information fits in this category? I'm still
trying
to get my tongue around all the acronyms for the various publications
out there (AIM, FAR, etc.). Is there a canonical "list" of all the
aviation publications relevant to the private certificate and from
that
list, how do I pick out the "foundational" and/or rarely changing
publications?

Short Term Focus -- Closer to going to ground school to prepare for
the
written, study the more recent, ever-changing publications. Same
question applies as for the Long Term Focus publications--is there a
list and how do I pick out the ones that change frequently?

A side note: As a part of the Sporty's series, I have the PTS Study
Guide and their suggested training outline. I'm also a member of AOPA
until about June. I don't have anything else in hardcopy and want to
spend as little $$$ as possible until I'm committed financially to a
specific flight school, etc. So, most of my studying will be online
for now.

2) What is the best way to go about studying the dizzying amount of
information about aviation weather (I learn weather topics best with
visual aids)? Right now I'm mostly interested in gaining a good base
for understanding what is needed for ground school, the written, and
in-flight instruction. So many sources, so little knowledge to know
where find one or two to focus on.

3) I have a PocketPC that is great for studying information on the go
and during downtime. I've downloaded a few flashcard and quiz
programs, but haven't yet found "the one". I'm looking for a
PocketPC
study aid that quizzes me on "graphical" topics (runway markings,
etc.)
as well as purely "text" topics (FAA written). Know of any? If it
happens to be for just a regular computer that's cool too. I'm a
programmer and can adapt it for the PocketPC.

I know I have other questions, but this seems like enough for now. I
eagerly await anyone's responses.

Thanks!!

Dear Fellow Student(s),

The FAA has video tapes that they will loan out for free. (or used to
a few years ago). Mine were from the San Angelo (TX) AFSS. I sent or
called for a list and then started checking off titles and get another
after you watch it. I think they will send two or three at a time. If
it's out your name goes on a list and you'll get it eventually, but I
think I got what I wanted when I wanted. Maybe nobody else knew about
them. A few years ago there were 68 different ones so you have quite a
choice. All it costs is the return postage, unless you're close enough
to pick up and deliver.

One of the WX ones was an Air Force tape from the 40s. My flight
instructor (the Ayuhtallah of Aviation) thought it was the same one he
saw in his training for C-130 flight engineer way back when. Some may
cause you to lapse into a deep sleep. Even though I finally got my
license, 20 years to solo, probably flew 30 different airplanes an hour
or two, before someone would buy it out from underneath me. Then I'd
have to wait for another one to get built, and start learning again.
Never have rented or borrowed a plane yet. Figured for the price of a
good used car or truck you could get an airplane (or a project).

Wish you all success in your flying. Might be some set backs,
obstacles, but keep with it and eventually you'll get there, Lord
willing. I had really set my mind to "geting 'er done" and 9/11 hit.
No students flying unless it was in a flight school. No pilots unless
instrument rated in an I-rated airplane, that left me and my 1957
Cessna 182 sitting in the hangar for quite a while. But after things
got back to normal, I hit the ski with a vengance. My husband had had
some heart trouble, so figured I'd better switch to the left side.
After 25 years in the right seat, the left felt really weird, and he
usually starts advising before I even hit the starter button.

Right now we've had weeks of rain here in TX and we've got a 2000-foot
mud run instead of a runway so I guess the Beast from the East is
grounded for another week or so. Starting to get the bug again.
Probably been months since I've been flying, too many other projects.
My husband was recovering "our" Champ project and then went and got
himself a job down at the Taylorcraft factory in LaGrange Tx so I guess
I'll have to relearn recovering and get our AI over here and get 'er
done. Might have that done before the mud ever dries up. Usually let
my husband fly the taildraggers and I get the nose draggers, but
thinking of possibly getting the Ayuhtalloh to give lessons in the
Champ. But it will probably get sold and we'll start all over. Tom's
already got his eye on a Pacer project (pretty much just fuselage and
wings). That's a nosedragger so that will be mine.

Take care and God blees. Fly safe, be careful. Carol the Homesick
Angel and if you can't afford flying at the moment check out those FAA
tapes (hope they still have them).

Well take