Originally Posted by powdermonkey
...haven't got any idea about procedures, airspaces, routes etc over in the US. So, could anyone tell me what I can buy before heading out to get me up to speed and well prepared prior to leaving.
http://www.aopa.org/asf/publications/advisors.html look under "regulations"
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/ only if you are looking for some specific regulation, no bedtime reading
http://www.flytandem.com/airspace.htm an explanation re:airspace
http://www.myairplane.com/ online charts, under "VFR sectionals" choose "miami" or "jacksonville" (doesn't zoom in firefox for some reason)
Originally Posted by powdermonkey
I also want to get up to speed with flying twins, any good generic books that you may recommend?
Multi-Engine Piston by D Robson is fairly decent, but there are plenty of others
an article i wrote on critical engines a long time ago
Originally Posted by powdermonkey
I also would like to have a safety pilot for a few trips, how much can I add to my hourly cost by doing this?
You mean, how much it will cost you to hire a safety-pilot? I wouldn't spend money on that, you can ask anyone to come with you, especially other students, you will learn plenty from eachother.