Originally Posted by
Dotalot
I havent started any training yet, but intend to in the new year, so im also interested to hear what student materials and equipment everyone recommends.
Do you need your own headset, or will most flying schools let you use theirs??
- Straightforward kneeboard (A5 trifolds work really well for PPL training)
- Cheap stopwatch from Argos or similar. Don't let anybody persuade you that you need to spend more than £10.
- brief-case sized bag/rucksack (really really don't waste money on expensive bags) from the local market / argos / whatever you had lurking in your cupboard.
- Long planning ruler with 1:250,000 and 1:500,000 scales
- Square planning protractor
- Whatever books your school recommends
- Pooleys CRP 1 or similar (check if the school has a preferred model)
- Some basic sunglasses (buy decent ones later if you decide you need to upgrade).
- Flying chart you can buy from your school when you need it
- Planning pad you should use whatever your school prefers, so buy it from them (or once you've had more practice, design your own and print on your home PC).
- Start with a school headset, try a few different sorts if you can borrow them to try, buy your own when you feel the time is right, but don't do it too early, there really is no need in the first few hours.
Early on you really don't need an expensive headset, expensive flying bag, charts until your instructor says you do, expensive "pilot" sunglasses or stopwatch (this last, probably ever).
eBay is good for saving money.
G