Preperation for Flight Training

bushmaster · April 30th, 2004, 17:04

Having no time and not a piece of flight gear, what other costs ( other than tuition and housing) can one expect to accrue in the process of flight training? i.e. headsets, logbook, charts, uniforms etc.....

And where is a good place to start picking some of this stuff up while I....errr one still has some money?

montanapilot · April 30th, 2004, 18:15

you can usually find pretty good deals on ebay.

heres a logbook I have and it has columns for everything under the sun

here

if you are looking at new stuff though check out either marvgolden or spinners pilot shop. They both have pretty good prices.

USMCmech · May 4th, 2004, 17:43

Headset
Buy the best you can afford, but don't get crazy, you've got a long way to go. I use the David Clark 13.4 without ANR. ANR is really nice and I'd like to have it, but my regular DCs work just fine.

Flight bag / Black
Sportys "flight gear super duper bag" = $50-80
Champs Sporting goods black gym bag = $10

Kneeboard
Sportys Super duper kneeboard with extra pockets = $30-50
Wal Mart clipboard = $1

Flashlight
Super duper headset light = $40
Mini Maglight with red filter = $20

CR-3 flight computer & standard plotter are available at the pilot shop.

Hand held GPS is nice, but you still have to learn to use VORs, so you won't be able to use it on a check ride. As if you could get really lost in Florida.

Hand held COMM, nice to have as a back up but I finished all my trainig without one. A cell phone is just as good.

Check lists, maps, and other stuff are at the pilot shop.

Books
Wait till you get there, then ask around about what you really need. You'll have plenty by the time you're done.

Other gadgets and gizmos = waste of money

I wasted a lot money on junk I don't need or use.

bushmaster · May 4th, 2004, 19:00

Thanks guy. I appreciate it. If you have any other experiences to share about FSA please let me know.

chunk75 · May 4th, 2004, 20:53

Tip number one: You have to pay it back! Spend like you have to bleed for every tenth and take it easy in the bookstore!

Also...study, study, study. Know more than the next guy, it'll pay off.

Doug Taylor · May 5th, 2004, 01:37

[ QUOTE ]
Headset

[/ QUOTE ]

David Clark 13.4 at the least. Electronic noise cancelling if you've got the dough. Heck, buy one anyway because I've got 'turboprop ear' and hard of hearing from flying. Your hearing GOES FAST so protect it. Standing in a semi-loud social setting and doing the "nod 'n smile" when you can't discern what anyone is saying gets old. Realizing that it's not going to get any better until you break down and purchase a "Miracle Ear" is depressing, so protect your hearing.

[ QUOTE ]
Flight bag / Black

[/ QUOTE ]

Yup

[ QUOTE ]
Kneeboard

[/ QUOTE ]

Go down to office max and buy a clip board. By the time Iwas instructing, I had about every iteration of a knee board and the most useful thing I had was a medium-sized clear clipboard I bought for $5 at an office supply store.

[ QUOTE ]
Flashlight

[/ QUOTE ]
El cheapo D-cell is good. But I carry around a four D-cell maglight so I can beat the holy bejezus out of a terrorist if I lose grip on the crash axe.

[ QUOTE ]
Flight Computer

[/ QUOTE ]
Basic E6B. Because after you're done instructing, that thing is as useful as that cool retractable eraser you had during college. You know, that thing that lies under the four year old USAToday life section that's under your seat. You know, next to the "Slim Jim" wrapper.

[ QUOTE ]
Other gadgets and gizmos = waste of money

[/ QUOTE ]

Very true.

[ QUOTE ]
I wasted a lot money on junk I don't need or use.

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too. Loads.

chunk75 · May 5th, 2004, 20:58

For Pete's sake, DON'T BUY THE PATTERN COMPUTER! ....or that bubble level "will I be in that cloud" scope....or most of the rest of Sporty's...

Doug Taylor · May 6th, 2004, 00:02

The worst part about the pattern computer is that in the real world, as long as you stay in 'protected airspace', the entry doesn't really matter all that much.

I think I've done a non-direct entry probably once in the past nine (-ish) years of flying for an airline.

USMCmech · May 6th, 2004, 08:13

Doug

Every one can be a direct entry, it's just a question of bank angle. On my instrument checkride I was set up to enter a hold that required a parallel entry. I breifed it, then without thinking I hit the VOR and cranked it over to to a teardrop. I didn't realize what I had done till the debrief. My examiner said that since I stayed on the protcted side it wasn't a big deal.

Bushmaster

About kneeboards, I bought two and didn't like either one. Today I use and have my students use a simple clipboard. I make a copy of the airport diagram (SAT), and list frequencies and any other info I think is important. I tape all this to the back and cover it with clear tape. Flight plans and scratch paper get cliped to the front. It sits on my lap just fine for any thing short of areobatics. I've got two slightly used ones I'll sell ya.

About headsets, doug is right protect your hearing! Onec it's gone it never comes back. If I could I would but an ANR headset, but I'm still saving up for it. Also buy a set of cheap rubber earplugs and attach them to you flight bag. This way when you're doing your preflight next to some jet running it's APU, you can find them right away.

For some reason, FSA requires you to use a CR-3 flight computer. The front is exactly like an E6-B, the back is diferent. It's not a big deal. Stay away from the eletronic ones, they're a waste of money. Buy a cheap calculator instead.

Good luck

EatSleepFly · May 6th, 2004, 08:20

USMC- are you an FSI grad?

Your name looks familiar.

USMCmech · May 6th, 2004, 08:30

Yup, I went there with my PPL and got everything through my CFI. I started Oct 11, 2001, and finished Aug 2002. I need to ask Chunk who's still around Vero.

EatSleepFly · May 6th, 2004, 15:33

Cool...I had just finished my Commercial single/multi in Aug. '02.

Did you fly with Ryan M. (now at ASA) by any chance?

USMCmech · May 6th, 2004, 16:15

Yes, I did. He was my instructor for my CFI. He got hired just as I was finishing. Kirsten Swedberg was my instructor for everything else. She was a check pilot when I left. She said the only efective technique for instructing thick headed Marines like myself was to take my D cell mag light and beat me over the head with it

. She was really cool.

I haven't kept up with everybody there very well. Me and Andy Monroe started the PPL audit together. He was instructing out of Addison TX. I visited with him a couple of times when I passed through. He was killed in a crash last summer after hitting a bird.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...1067&key=1

EatSleepFly · May 6th, 2004, 16:25

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, I did. He was my instructor for my CFI. He got hired just as I was finishing. Kirsten Swedberg was my instructor for everything else. She was a check pilot when I left. She said the only efective technique for instructing thick headed Marines like myself was to take my D cell mag light and beat me over the head with it

. She was really cool.

I haven't kept up with everybody there very well. Me and Andy Monroe started the PPL audit together. He was instructing out of Addison TX. I visited with him a couple of times when I passed through. He was killed in a crash last summer after hitting a bird.

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...1067&key=1

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh man, thats terrible. I hadn't heard about that. I didn't really know him, just knew the name.

I flew with Ryan for everything except SE commercial and CFI/CFII. Great instructor. That must be where I remember seeing your name...next to mine on the schedule...haha.

What are you doing now? Instructing?

USMCmech · May 6th, 2004, 16:31

I did some instructing here and there, no primary students, just check outs and BFRs. I flew jumpers last summer. I've been working a "real" job. But yesterday was my last day. I'm going to school to get my A&P. I'm already halfway there since that is want I did in the Corps.

chunk75 · May 7th, 2004, 07:03

Actually Doug, I was talking about the traffic pattern computer, which is, hard as it is to believe, even more useless than the holding pattern computer you speak of....check this thing out!

USMCmech · May 8th, 2004, 09:29

That has to be the second most useless thing I've ever seen, the holding pattern at least has some usefulness.

An first place goes to....................Sportys cloud sight level.

Michigan_Flyer · May 8th, 2004, 16:12

That flight computer looks about as usefull as the runway behind you and the altitude above you........

Snow · May 9th, 2004, 10:43

Yeah I'm sure those useless computers will look really professonal when you whip one out durring your airlines interview!

chunk75 · May 11th, 2004, 22:08

[ QUOTE ]
That has to be the second most useless thing I've ever seen, the holding pattern at least has some usefulness.

An first place goes to....................Sportys cloud sight level.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry gyrene, beat ya to it! look above!

April 30th, 2004, 17:04	#1
bushmaster Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 229	Preperation for Flight Training Having no time and not a piece of flight gear, what other costs ( other than tuition and housing) can one expect to accrue in the process of flight training? i.e. headsets, logbook, charts, uniforms etc..... And where is a good place to start picking some of this stuff up while I....errr one still has some money?

April 30th, 2004, 18:15	#2
montanapilot Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland, Orygun Posts: 1,638	Re: Preperation for Flight Training you can usually find pretty good deals on ebay. heres a logbook I have and it has columns for everything under the sun here if you are looking at new stuff though check out either marvgolden or spinners pilot shop. They both have pretty good prices.

May 4th, 2004, 17:43	#3
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,601	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Headset Buy the best you can afford, but don't get crazy, you've got a long way to go. I use the David Clark 13.4 without ANR. ANR is really nice and I'd like to have it, but my regular DCs work just fine. Flight bag / Black Sportys "flight gear super duper bag" = $50-80 Champs Sporting goods black gym bag = $10 Kneeboard Sportys Super duper kneeboard with extra pockets = $30-50 Wal Mart clipboard = $1 Flashlight Super duper headset light = $40 Mini Maglight with red filter = $20 CR-3 flight computer & standard plotter are available at the pilot shop. Hand held GPS is nice, but you still have to learn to use VORs, so you won't be able to use it on a check ride. As if you could get really lost in Florida. Hand held COMM, nice to have as a back up but I finished all my trainig without one. A cell phone is just as good. Check lists, maps, and other stuff are at the pilot shop. Books Wait till you get there, then ask around about what you really need. You'll have plenty by the time you're done. Other gadgets and gizmos = waste of money I wasted a lot money on junk I don't need or use.

May 4th, 2004, 19:00	#4
bushmaster Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 229	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Thanks guy. I appreciate it. If you have any other experiences to share about FSA please let me know.

May 4th, 2004, 20:53	#5
chunk75 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: FL Posts: 922	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Tip number one: You have to pay it back! Spend like you have to bleed for every tenth and take it easy in the bookstore! Also...study, study, study. Know more than the next guy, it'll pay off.

May 5th, 2004, 01:37	#6
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,240 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Preperation for Flight Training [ QUOTE ] Headset [/ QUOTE ] David Clark 13.4 at the least. Electronic noise cancelling if you've got the dough. Heck, buy one anyway because I've got 'turboprop ear' and hard of hearing from flying. Your hearing GOES FAST so protect it. Standing in a semi-loud social setting and doing the "nod 'n smile" when you can't discern what anyone is saying gets old. Realizing that it's not going to get any better until you break down and purchase a "Miracle Ear" is depressing, so protect your hearing. [ QUOTE ] Flight bag / Black [/ QUOTE ] Yup [ QUOTE ] Kneeboard [/ QUOTE ] Go down to office max and buy a clip board. By the time Iwas instructing, I had about every iteration of a knee board and the most useful thing I had was a medium-sized clear clipboard I bought for $5 at an office supply store. [ QUOTE ] Flashlight [/ QUOTE ] El cheapo D-cell is good. But I carry around a four D-cell maglight so I can beat the holy bejezus out of a terrorist if I lose grip on the crash axe. [ QUOTE ] Flight Computer [/ QUOTE ] Basic E6B. Because after you're done instructing, that thing is as useful as that cool retractable eraser you had during college. You know, that thing that lies under the four year old USAToday life section that's under your seat. You know, next to the "Slim Jim" wrapper. [ QUOTE ] Other gadgets and gizmos = waste of money [/ QUOTE ] Very true. [ QUOTE ] I wasted a lot money on junk I don't need or use. [/ QUOTE ] Me too. Loads.

May 5th, 2004, 20:58	#7
chunk75 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: FL Posts: 922	Re: Preperation for Flight Training For Pete's sake, DON'T BUY THE PATTERN COMPUTER! ....or that bubble level "will I be in that cloud" scope....or most of the rest of Sporty's...

May 6th, 2004, 00:02	#8
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,240 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Preperation for Flight Training The worst part about the pattern computer is that in the real world, as long as you stay in 'protected airspace', the entry doesn't really matter all that much. I think I've done a non-direct entry probably once in the past nine (-ish) years of flying for an airline.

May 6th, 2004, 08:13	#9
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,601	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Doug Every one can be a direct entry, it's just a question of bank angle. On my instrument checkride I was set up to enter a hold that required a parallel entry. I breifed it, then without thinking I hit the VOR and cranked it over to to a teardrop. I didn't realize what I had done till the debrief. My examiner said that since I stayed on the protcted side it wasn't a big deal. Bushmaster About kneeboards, I bought two and didn't like either one. Today I use and have my students use a simple clipboard. I make a copy of the airport diagram (SAT), and list frequencies and any other info I think is important. I tape all this to the back and cover it with clear tape. Flight plans and scratch paper get cliped to the front. It sits on my lap just fine for any thing short of areobatics. I've got two slightly used ones I'll sell ya. About headsets, doug is right protect your hearing! Onec it's gone it never comes back. If I could I would but an ANR headset, but I'm still saving up for it. Also buy a set of cheap rubber earplugs and attach them to you flight bag. This way when you're doing your preflight next to some jet running it's APU, you can find them right away. For some reason, FSA requires you to use a CR-3 flight computer. The front is exactly like an E6-B, the back is diferent. It's not a big deal. Stay away from the eletronic ones, they're a waste of money. Buy a cheap calculator instead. Good luck

May 6th, 2004, 08:20	#10
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Preperation for Flight Training USMC- are you an FSI grad? Your name looks familiar.

May 6th, 2004, 08:30	#11
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,601	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Yup, I went there with my PPL and got everything through my CFI. I started Oct 11, 2001, and finished Aug 2002. I need to ask Chunk who's still around Vero.

May 6th, 2004, 15:33	#12
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Cool...I had just finished my Commercial single/multi in Aug. '02. Did you fly with Ryan M. (now at ASA) by any chance?

May 6th, 2004, 16:15	#13
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,601	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Yes, I did. He was my instructor for my CFI. He got hired just as I was finishing. Kirsten Swedberg was my instructor for everything else. She was a check pilot when I left. She said the only efective technique for instructing thick headed Marines like myself was to take my D cell mag light and beat me over the head with it . She was really cool. I haven't kept up with everybody there very well. Me and Andy Monroe started the PPL audit together. He was instructing out of Addison TX. I visited with him a couple of times when I passed through. He was killed in a crash last summer after hitting a bird. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...1067&key=1

May 6th, 2004, 16:25	#14
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: Preperation for Flight Training [ QUOTE ] Yes, I did. He was my instructor for my CFI. He got hired just as I was finishing. Kirsten Swedberg was my instructor for everything else. She was a check pilot when I left. She said the only efective technique for instructing thick headed Marines like myself was to take my D cell mag light and beat me over the head with it . She was really cool. I haven't kept up with everybody there very well. Me and Andy Monroe started the PPL audit together. He was instructing out of Addison TX. I visited with him a couple of times when I passed through. He was killed in a crash last summer after hitting a bird. http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/brief.asp?e...1067&key=1 [/ QUOTE ] Oh man, thats terrible. I hadn't heard about that. I didn't really know him, just knew the name. I flew with Ryan for everything except SE commercial and CFI/CFII. Great instructor. That must be where I remember seeing your name...next to mine on the schedule...haha. What are you doing now? Instructing?

May 6th, 2004, 16:31	#15
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,601	Re: Preperation for Flight Training I did some instructing here and there, no primary students, just check outs and BFRs. I flew jumpers last summer. I've been working a "real" job. But yesterday was my last day. I'm going to school to get my A&P. I'm already halfway there since that is want I did in the Corps.

May 7th, 2004, 07:03	#16
chunk75 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: FL Posts: 922	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Actually Doug, I was talking about the traffic pattern computer, which is, hard as it is to believe, even more useless than the holding pattern computer you speak of....check this thing out!

May 8th, 2004, 09:29	#17
USMCmech Old Skool Join Date: May 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,601	Re: Preperation for Flight Training That has to be the second most useless thing I've ever seen, the holding pattern at least has some usefulness. An first place goes to....................Sportys cloud sight level.

May 8th, 2004, 16:12	#18
Michigan_Flyer Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Orlando, Florida Posts: 158	Re: Preperation for Flight Training That flight computer looks about as usefull as the runway behind you and the altitude above you........

May 9th, 2004, 10:43	#19
Snow Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 869	Re: Preperation for Flight Training Yeah I'm sure those useless computers will look really professonal when you whip one out durring your airlines interview!

May 11th, 2004, 22:08	#20
chunk75 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: FL Posts: 922	Re: Preperation for Flight Training [ QUOTE ] That has to be the second most useless thing I've ever seen, the holding pattern at least has some usefulness. An first place goes to....................Sportys cloud sight level. [/ QUOTE ] Sorry gyrene, beat ya to it! look above!

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