PPL advice please
Discussion
Hey thought I would ask the knowledge base that is PH.
Am thinking about getting my PPL next year, and wanted a couple of bits of advice...
1st, what set of theory books to get? I have been on Amazon and there are a couple of series that catch my eye, firstly the Jeremy Pratt lot and then the Oxford ones which seem to be almost double the price. Worth the extra money or not?
2nd, I have a choice of 3 flight schools near me, Dundee, Perth and Inverness, in order of closest. I have heard that Perth is possibly the best choice as it is not a commercial airport so no waiting about for jets etc. It also seems to be cheaper than Dundee. I haven't looked into Inverness much as it is the furthest away, a good 1.5 - 2 hour drive.
So any advice would be very welcome. Thank you.
Am thinking about getting my PPL next year, and wanted a couple of bits of advice...
1st, what set of theory books to get? I have been on Amazon and there are a couple of series that catch my eye, firstly the Jeremy Pratt lot and then the Oxford ones which seem to be almost double the price. Worth the extra money or not?
2nd, I have a choice of 3 flight schools near me, Dundee, Perth and Inverness, in order of closest. I have heard that Perth is possibly the best choice as it is not a commercial airport so no waiting about for jets etc. It also seems to be cheaper than Dundee. I haven't looked into Inverness much as it is the furthest away, a good 1.5 - 2 hour drive.
So any advice would be very welcome. Thank you.
The "Private Flying" forum of PPrune and the Students forum at www.flyer.co.uk are worth using to pose the same questions.
Proximity counts for a lot in a flying school - in the UK in general, and Scotland in particular, the weather will play a large role in determining if you can fly when you plan to fly - driving for two hours to an airfield to arrive just as the weather unexpectedly closes in would try the patience anyone (and conversely, having an airfield close at hand is a benefit if the weather suddenly clears on a day forecast for non-stop clag, and you manage to arrange a slot at the last minute).
Proximity counts for a lot in a flying school - in the UK in general, and Scotland in particular, the weather will play a large role in determining if you can fly when you plan to fly - driving for two hours to an airfield to arrive just as the weather unexpectedly closes in would try the patience anyone (and conversely, having an airfield close at hand is a benefit if the weather suddenly clears on a day forecast for non-stop clag, and you manage to arrange a slot at the last minute).
Like anything Oxford Aviation, they run at quite the mark-up. That said, I have seen the ATPL theory books and I was very impressed with them. Rather than being a reference source, I thought they did a very good job of explaining the subject. It is expensive, but it is good stuff.
A family member also has a load of Oxford DVDs, still in the cellophane, about to go on ebay. If you're interested, I can surely let him know.
Enjoy learning to fly. A long way down the line, I still love every second of it, and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here on PH, should you have any questions..
A family member also has a load of Oxford DVDs, still in the cellophane, about to go on ebay. If you're interested, I can surely let him know.
Enjoy learning to fly. A long way down the line, I still love every second of it, and there is a wealth of knowledge and experience here on PH, should you have any questions..
Depends what you want to fly, fixed wing or rotor (Helis)? There are loads of really good books on fixed wing and very little on Helicopters. I found Oxford Aviation JAA PPL training DVD's really useful and much easier to digest than books on the subject. However they still don't have any specific Helicopter DVD's so they will not cover the Helicopter only exams.
Start with Air Law because you will need to have passed this in order to do your first solo (e.g. I was offered to do solo after only 11hours of flying which didn't take long to tally up). Also get your medical completed, just encase there are any issues as you don't want to fork out for lots of books, dvd etc and then find you might not get the medical certificate. Another thing that I found is you need to complete all theory exams within 12month from passing the first. Therefore studying every weekend was quite common from me, although a lot of people found the exams easy I did not.
Flying is great fun and it is so rewarding to have that licence (even if it takes a lot of time and money).
Good luck
Start with Air Law because you will need to have passed this in order to do your first solo (e.g. I was offered to do solo after only 11hours of flying which didn't take long to tally up). Also get your medical completed, just encase there are any issues as you don't want to fork out for lots of books, dvd etc and then find you might not get the medical certificate. Another thing that I found is you need to complete all theory exams within 12month from passing the first. Therefore studying every weekend was quite common from me, although a lot of people found the exams easy I did not.
Flying is great fun and it is so rewarding to have that licence (even if it takes a lot of time and money).
Good luck
sclayto2 said:
Is there an optimum order for studying?
My thoughts were to get the medical done asap. Then during the winter to work through the exams and then be ready to start flying when the weather brightens up.
Good theory or not?
That'll work, but I would advise to mix the two (theory and flying), and do them concurrently. I did theory first, and I found that sometimes it was a strange concept to relate, without having the ability to get a working knowledge of the topic in the air. Either way, you'll be fine and enjoy it. My thoughts were to get the medical done asap. Then during the winter to work through the exams and then be ready to start flying when the weather brightens up.
Good theory or not?
I know a wee bit about this and where you are thinking of training.
Inverness is alright, Dundee is ok but Perth is the probably the best option. I am entirely biased being the ex CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) for Leading Edge who provide the training for HAC at Inverness and the school at Perth, though it is called SAC at Perth now. (All for very complex and boring reasons.)
Choose somewhere that is close, don't bother with the Oxford books, get the Jeremy Pratt series, they're perfectly adequate for the PPL, though don't get second hand ones unless you can be sure they are the latest editions.
Go and try the schools and see where you are most comfortable, make sure you stick with the same instructor and NEVER, EVER pay upfront.
I used to work for Tayside in Dundee and Glenrothes, many of us left and helped setup Leading Edge. That's all I'll say on that!
Inverness is alright, Dundee is ok but Perth is the probably the best option. I am entirely biased being the ex CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) for Leading Edge who provide the training for HAC at Inverness and the school at Perth, though it is called SAC at Perth now. (All for very complex and boring reasons.)
Choose somewhere that is close, don't bother with the Oxford books, get the Jeremy Pratt series, they're perfectly adequate for the PPL, though don't get second hand ones unless you can be sure they are the latest editions.
Go and try the schools and see where you are most comfortable, make sure you stick with the same instructor and NEVER, EVER pay upfront.
I used to work for Tayside in Dundee and Glenrothes, many of us left and helped setup Leading Edge. That's all I'll say on that!
Edited by IforB on Tuesday 10th November 16:55
Five lessons should give you enough insight to get hooked - although the short days and grim weather can be very frustrating at this time of the year.
If the budget allows, try helicopters - if only for an hour - to see just how versatile they are. You don't need to fly from airport to airport, you can go virtually door to door, with a fabulous low altitude view of the world on the way.
If the budget allows, try helicopters - if only for an hour - to see just how versatile they are. You don't need to fly from airport to airport, you can go virtually door to door, with a fabulous low altitude view of the world on the way.
Hi,
over 20 years have passed since i started my PPL in Inverness. Good memories of my time there at Highland Aero Club. It was a nice environment back then, but i guess its a bit busier now. I also did some flying in Dumpdee and Perth which were also pretty good.
The books i used were by Trevor Thom and seemed pretty popular back then.
If possible try to fly as much as you can. Sticking with an instructor you like, and who you feel is giving you good instruction is also good advice. As mentioned, dont pay any flying upfront, pay after each flight has been completed.
Dont fly in marginal weather, ensure its going to benefit you...not the instructor building hours !. A nice clear horizon is paramount to light aircraft flying.
Its a lot of fun, but the majority seem to give up after a few years of having their PPL. Look at joining a syndicate ater completing your PPL which will offer cheaper flying in the long term.
Good luck.
over 20 years have passed since i started my PPL in Inverness. Good memories of my time there at Highland Aero Club. It was a nice environment back then, but i guess its a bit busier now. I also did some flying in Dumpdee and Perth which were also pretty good.
The books i used were by Trevor Thom and seemed pretty popular back then.
If possible try to fly as much as you can. Sticking with an instructor you like, and who you feel is giving you good instruction is also good advice. As mentioned, dont pay any flying upfront, pay after each flight has been completed.
Dont fly in marginal weather, ensure its going to benefit you...not the instructor building hours !. A nice clear horizon is paramount to light aircraft flying.
Its a lot of fun, but the majority seem to give up after a few years of having their PPL. Look at joining a syndicate ater completing your PPL which will offer cheaper flying in the long term.
Good luck.
khaosai said:
Hi,
over 20 years have passed since i started my PPL in Inverness. Good memories of my time there at Highland Aero Club. It was a nice environment back then, but i guess its a bit busier now. I also did some flying in Dumpdee and Perth which were also pretty good.
The books i used were by Trevor Thom and seemed pretty popular back then.
If possible try to fly as much as you can. Sticking with an instructor you like, and who you feel is giving you good instruction is also good advice. As mentioned, dont pay any flying upfront, pay after each flight has been completed.
Dont fly in marginal weather, ensure its going to benefit you...not the instructor building hours !. A nice clear horizon is paramount to light aircraft flying.
Its a lot of fun, but the majority seem to give up after a few years of having their PPL. Look at joining a syndicate ater completing your PPL which will offer cheaper flying in the long term.
Good luck.
There's one thing I'd pick up on there. If you don't learn to handle proper flying conditions whilst sitting next to an instructor, then once you are let loose, then you are unprepared for the reality of flying in Scotland, so when you are training, take advantage of marginal weather whilst having the back up of an FI next to you, there are a few excercises that need clear horizons, but most of the time, you can get away without it.over 20 years have passed since i started my PPL in Inverness. Good memories of my time there at Highland Aero Club. It was a nice environment back then, but i guess its a bit busier now. I also did some flying in Dumpdee and Perth which were also pretty good.
The books i used were by Trevor Thom and seemed pretty popular back then.
If possible try to fly as much as you can. Sticking with an instructor you like, and who you feel is giving you good instruction is also good advice. As mentioned, dont pay any flying upfront, pay after each flight has been completed.
Dont fly in marginal weather, ensure its going to benefit you...not the instructor building hours !. A nice clear horizon is paramount to light aircraft flying.
Its a lot of fun, but the majority seem to give up after a few years of having their PPL. Look at joining a syndicate ater completing your PPL which will offer cheaper flying in the long term.
Good luck.
Though, do try and get an experienced instructor who isn't straight of of school and just looking at you as a meal ticket towards an airline job.
Other than that I heartily agree about getting involved in a group and being aware that most people do give up too easily.
Hi,
i understand what you mean with regards to gaining experience, but in my humble opinion light single piston engined aircraft are to be flown on fair weather days, particularly in a PPL training environment. Its a pitch and power excercise, and thats need a good horizon.
It is however a good thing to do the basic IF training as part of the PPL which will help during unexpected entry into cloud etc, but most inexperienced pilots would be hard pressed to fly on a limited panel for any length of time.
Get an Instruement rating and buy/hire a suitably equipped aircraft if flying in cloud is your thing.
Its meant to be fun, and for me that means looking out of the window enjoying the scenery.
Nothing beats flying in Scotland during clear skies.
Rgds.
i understand what you mean with regards to gaining experience, but in my humble opinion light single piston engined aircraft are to be flown on fair weather days, particularly in a PPL training environment. Its a pitch and power excercise, and thats need a good horizon.
It is however a good thing to do the basic IF training as part of the PPL which will help during unexpected entry into cloud etc, but most inexperienced pilots would be hard pressed to fly on a limited panel for any length of time.
Get an Instruement rating and buy/hire a suitably equipped aircraft if flying in cloud is your thing.
Its meant to be fun, and for me that means looking out of the window enjoying the scenery.
Nothing beats flying in Scotland during clear skies.
Rgds.
khaosai said:
Hi,
i understand what you mean with regards to gaining experience, but in my humble opinion light single piston engined aircraft are to be flown on fair weather days, particularly in a PPL training environment. Its a pitch and power excercise, and thats need a good horizon.
It is however a good thing to do the basic IF training as part of the PPL which will help during unexpected entry into cloud etc, but most inexperienced pilots would be hard pressed to fly on a limited panel for any length of time.
Get an Instruement rating and buy/hire a suitably equipped aircraft if flying in cloud is your thing.
Its meant to be fun, and for me that means looking out of the window enjoying the scenery.
Nothing beats flying in Scotland during clear skies.
Rgds.
After 10 years as an FI and an IRI I agree upto a point, going into IMC isn't to attempted unless you are current, qualified and the aircraft is suitably equipped, but you HAVE to be able to handle it when the weather catches you out. It does happen and even during the summer you can easily get conditions where there is no clear horizon and yet it is still CAVOK.i understand what you mean with regards to gaining experience, but in my humble opinion light single piston engined aircraft are to be flown on fair weather days, particularly in a PPL training environment. Its a pitch and power excercise, and thats need a good horizon.
It is however a good thing to do the basic IF training as part of the PPL which will help during unexpected entry into cloud etc, but most inexperienced pilots would be hard pressed to fly on a limited panel for any length of time.
Get an Instruement rating and buy/hire a suitably equipped aircraft if flying in cloud is your thing.
Its meant to be fun, and for me that means looking out of the window enjoying the scenery.
Nothing beats flying in Scotland during clear skies.
Rgds.
The job of any decent instructor is to give a student the tools they need to cope with whatever can be thrown at them by the weather. That means going out in very marginal conditions sometimes. Even if it is just to demonstrate why you don't want to push it, it is a valid excercise. Scotland can be very marginal and you need to learn how to deal with it. The last thing you want is your first taste of poor conditions to be on your own and for you to be unsure of exactly what to do.
I'm not talking about going into proper IMC, but it doesn't have to be that bad for conditions to become lethal.
Hi,
some good points there regarding weather. It can change very quickly and people do get caught
out from time to time. It might be CAVOK at the airport and immediate area but further afield it can be a different picture. I seem to remember an excercise where some flap was deployed thus allowing slower flight whilst flying in reduced visibility. Is it still part of the syllabus ?.
I think once the student gets the licence then flying with and instructor to enhance the basic qualification would be a better idea.
For me i would still stick to fair weather flying, have a good understanding on the weather forecast and if in doubt go to the pub !. If it really goes pear shaped dont press on. Its been a few year since i flew a light aircraft, must give it a go soon.
Rgds.
some good points there regarding weather. It can change very quickly and people do get caught
out from time to time. It might be CAVOK at the airport and immediate area but further afield it can be a different picture. I seem to remember an excercise where some flap was deployed thus allowing slower flight whilst flying in reduced visibility. Is it still part of the syllabus ?.
I think once the student gets the licence then flying with and instructor to enhance the basic qualification would be a better idea.
For me i would still stick to fair weather flying, have a good understanding on the weather forecast and if in doubt go to the pub !. If it really goes pear shaped dont press on. Its been a few year since i flew a light aircraft, must give it a go soon.
Rgds.
Edited by khaosai on Sunday 15th November 12:16
Edited by khaosai on Sunday 15th November 12:21
IforB said:
I know a wee bit about this and where you are thinking of training.
Inverness is alright, Dundee is ok but Perth is the probably the best option. I am entirely biased being the ex CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) for Leading Edge who provide the training for HAC at Inverness and the school at Perth, though it is called SAC at Perth now. (All for very complex and boring reasons.)
Choose somewhere that is close, don't bother with the Oxford books, get the Jeremy Pratt series, they're perfectly adequate for the PPL, though don't get second hand ones unless you can be sure they are the latest editions.
Go and try the schools and see where you are most comfortable, make sure you stick with the same instructor and NEVER, EVER pay upfront.
I used to work for Tayside in Dundee and Glenrothes, many of us left and helped setup Leading Edge. That's all I'll say on that!
Intersting comments. I too am considering going for my NPPL. I live in Dunfermline and my nearest flight schools are Glenrothes (run by Tayside Aviation) and Edinburgh Flying Club. Any advice gratefully received!Inverness is alright, Dundee is ok but Perth is the probably the best option. I am entirely biased being the ex CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) for Leading Edge who provide the training for HAC at Inverness and the school at Perth, though it is called SAC at Perth now. (All for very complex and boring reasons.)
Choose somewhere that is close, don't bother with the Oxford books, get the Jeremy Pratt series, they're perfectly adequate for the PPL, though don't get second hand ones unless you can be sure they are the latest editions.
Go and try the schools and see where you are most comfortable, make sure you stick with the same instructor and NEVER, EVER pay upfront.
I used to work for Tayside in Dundee and Glenrothes, many of us left and helped setup Leading Edge. That's all I'll say on that!
Edited by IforB on Tuesday 10th November 16:55
Also, any thoughts on costs? So far it is looking like £6500 just to get my licence based on around 45 hours flying time as I believe that is the national average.
All the best.
Martin.
Edited by Ecosseven on Saturday 21st November 09:57
Ecosseven said:
IforB said:
I know a wee bit about this and where you are thinking of training.
Inverness is alright, Dundee is ok but Perth is the probably the best option. I am entirely biased being the ex CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) for Leading Edge who provide the training for HAC at Inverness and the school at Perth, though it is called SAC at Perth now. (All for very complex and boring reasons.)
Choose somewhere that is close, don't bother with the Oxford books, get the Jeremy Pratt series, they're perfectly adequate for the PPL, though don't get second hand ones unless you can be sure they are the latest editions.
Go and try the schools and see where you are most comfortable, make sure you stick with the same instructor and NEVER, EVER pay upfront.
I used to work for Tayside in Dundee and Glenrothes, many of us left and helped setup Leading Edge. That's all I'll say on that!
Intersting comments. I too am considering going for my NPPL. I live in Dunfermline and my nearest flight schools are Glenrothes (run by Tayside Aviation) and Edinburgh Flying Club. Any advice gratefully received!Inverness is alright, Dundee is ok but Perth is the probably the best option. I am entirely biased being the ex CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) for Leading Edge who provide the training for HAC at Inverness and the school at Perth, though it is called SAC at Perth now. (All for very complex and boring reasons.)
Choose somewhere that is close, don't bother with the Oxford books, get the Jeremy Pratt series, they're perfectly adequate for the PPL, though don't get second hand ones unless you can be sure they are the latest editions.
Go and try the schools and see where you are most comfortable, make sure you stick with the same instructor and NEVER, EVER pay upfront.
I used to work for Tayside in Dundee and Glenrothes, many of us left and helped setup Leading Edge. That's all I'll say on that!
Edited by IforB on Tuesday 10th November 16:55
Also, any thoughts on costs? So far it is looking like £6500 just to get my licence based on around 45 hours flying time as I believe that is the national average.
All the best.
Martin.
Edited by Ecosseven on Saturday 21st November 09:57
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