There are a number of ways to save money in this game (and any further suggestions from anyone else will always be appreciated by many I suspect!) but one of the main things is not to fall into the trap of buying everything from an aviation supplier. Just need to think; is there anything else on the market that would do the job.
For example; stop watches. Aviation suppliers have these Russian, mechanical, old-fashioned stop watches with a clip for your kneeboard costing around £40. You can buy a digital stopwatch from a sports shop for less than a tenner!
Another one; as someone who gets hot sweaty little paws, I prefer to wear gloves when I’m flying. White RAF type leather jobbies are pushing £30 a pair. I use golf gloves – small sizes for ladies, leather, £8-£10 each. That’s each because you buy them singly. I really only need one for the left hand! In winter, I use riding gloves, £6 from the local saddlers. Jodhpur boots from same saddlers (leather, rubber sole and good grip) are £25 a pair and excellent for flying.
And as for bags? I worked in a business where suppliers were always giving away free bags; I currently use a laptop case (freebie from a construction company!) whilst my instructor turns up with his lunch and papers in an Asda carrier bag (sometimes Waitrose if he wants to make a good impression!). Go to any trade show (not just aviation) and you can blag yourself a bag easily enough!
Just putting my accountant’s hat for a moment; you may find it better for your cash flow to buy things piece meal as and when you need them rather than stump up cash in front as a lump sum. Not just interest lost but opportunity cost of having spent those funds elsewhere.
The helicopter specific packs tend to include the books by Norman Bailey; personally I found Foucault’s Pendulum by Umberto Eco easier to read! Wagtendonk is yer man – most schools will recommend it and if it’s not included in the pack, then that would be an “extra” expenses rather than an “instead of” expense!
Cheers
Whirls
Last edited by Whirlygig; 7th August 2006 at 10:10.