CPL Flight Training - Preparatory Groundstudy?

[Okavango]

Prior to starting the flight training, is there any essential info useful to gen up on prior to starting - eg:

Aircraft docs, CofA validity, ARC etc (and those to be carried in flight)
EU Ops (Subparts F, H & J in particular)
Performance calcs
Mass & Balance determination
NOTAM terminology
POM for aircraft

Anything else?

[Okavango]

Has no one on here obtained a CPL recently? If there's nothing more beyond PPL/hour building than revising all calcs and reserve factors applicable for commercial ops then that's fine but was hoping someone would update with recent experience.

[NovemberRomeo]

I completed mine back in May 2011. I got asked questions on low flying rule (things from the ANO etc) and quite heavily into the performance of my aircraft in different scenarios. Aircraft docs would be useful as well as mass and balance.

[Genghis the Engineer]

To be honest, it's what the groundschool was all for!

But do get hold of the POH for the aircraft you'll be training on and learn your way around it, get to know the aeroplane and how it should be flown, and also put some effort into learning your way around the 1:500,000 chart for the area you'll be training in, ditto the airfield details for home base and any RT peculiarities.

Time spent practicing pre-flight checks to a gold standard, and learning your way around THAT SCHOOL's aircraft checklist, and in particular how they do avionics checks at that airfield would not be wasted. Memorise the airborne drills and in particular the emergency drills.

G

[Okavango]

Thanks all - yes point taken Genghis - I had thought that though there's obviously a wealth of info in the ATPL's so wondered if there were any particular areas (or more importantly some not considered) that examiners might focus on.

[CAT3C AUTOLAND]

All good advice here Okavango.

Another thing to keep in mind, that when it comes to doing a CPL course and test, you are being tested on your ability as a professional. So, from an early point in the course try to get into that mind set.

As has been mentioned here, make sure you are up to speed with all aspects of your aircraft type. Know all the flight profiles that you will be tested on down to a T, and demonstrate sound airmanship at all times when you are flying. Professional slick radio is also a must. Remember that the examiner will be looking for a professional attitude and approach to your flying as an overall package.

All the best with it mate.

[CraigyD]

Could anyone recommend some good books for CPL, ME and IR flight training in Europe? A quick browse on Pooleys shows there are quite a few options!

Craigyd

[Okavango]

For the CPL I've got the Keynotes book - though that already seems a little out of date which partly prompted this thread. If there's anything else I'd also appreciate a heads up. For the multi I think there's a standard text by David Robson (though I might be wrong) and for the IR the best in my view is Instrument Flying by David Hoy.

[Genghis the Engineer]

In my case, I used entirely the notes provided by the school, which were excellent.

G

[CraigyD]

Okavango - Those were the same books I was looking at getting, might give keynotes a miss if that is the case.

Genghis - Thanks for the info. I am visiting the school I am pretty certain I will be using in a couple of weeks time so I will take a look at those before I fork out any more money!