Ppl uk theory

[hazydavey]

Hi,

I just wanted some advice on studying for my ppl in the uk. Ive got the main text books. My question is, should I start one subject at a time or multiple ones? How did you study the theory stuff? Any advice or guidance would be gratefully recived.

[Raab]

I would study one at at a time. But you will have to take multiple exams at once. Go through the books, learn the info and do practice papers. Most of the books have mini revision books that you can use afterwards with more practice papers in and the main points.

The exam system (though your flight school should have explained this) is set up in sessions. You have a total of 6 sessions and each session is 10 days long and you have to get all exams done within that time.

There are also some good apps you can get for on the go training that give good practice paper questions.

Raab

[9 lives]

Welcome Davey,

It is wise to maintain an overall awareness of the interrelationship of the topics. Study one at a time if that works for you, though remember that there is crossover between subjects, so it's nice to also "study" how they relate to each other - ultimately, when you're flying, you'll be applying your knowledge that way.

[Baikonour]

Some topics lend themselves well to being done (studied and sat) together.

Air Law and Operational Procedures used to be a single subject - they interrelate and you may as well do them both together. Many schools will insist (for no real reason...) that you have passed your Air Law before you go solo, so that may also be a reason to do it early. Finally, many people find it the most annoying - another reason to get it over and done with.

Human factors is very short and I think most people find it easy. Do it whenever you want - add it to the same sitting as the law subjects if you can.

When you start doing cross-country flights, you will start using RT and you should also start to do some Met and Navigation, so that's a good time to do those. I think it makes sense to wait a bit with these until you've actually done some XC, which will give you a better understanding of why you are meant to learn what you are meant to learn... Met can be quite chunky, so I'd begin with that, then add Nav and RT in that order.

Finally, the Aircraft General Knowledge and Principles of Flight also used to be one exam - bundle those together with Flight performance and Planning as they fit together. Again, you should have picked up a large part of this from your instructor over the course of your lessons, so there is little to be gained by pushing through with them too early.

Your first W&B on the aeroplane you are using for your lessons may well be an eye-opener!

Have fun - learning new stuff should be fun as well as necessary. If you find that another order works for you, good for you - come back and tell us about it!

B.

[Cadillac87]

What books can I use to prepare my PPL? It would be really helpful if you advise me. Thanks!

[Baikonour]

In the UK, there are at least 3 different sets:.

the Trevor Thom series - e.g. Amazon.co.uk: Trevor Thom: Books (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Books-Trevor-Thom/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A266239%2Cp_27%3ATrevor%20Thom)
the Jeremy Pratt Series - e.g. Amazon.co.uk: Jeremy M. Pratt: Books
the Oxford Flght Training series - e.g. Navigation for PPL and Beyond: General Navigation, Flight Planning, Radio Aids Skills for Flight: Amazon.co.uk: Books


They present things slightly differently, but overall, the contents should be the same. You may prefer one over the other - we're all different and they are written in different styles.
Ask what your school uses and borrow a copy, so you can leaf through and see whether you like it. Or have a look at them in a pilots' shop.

B.

[hazydavey]

Thanks everyone, great advice. Im starting with the Law part as its the first one I have to take.

[cockney steve]

It's possible that that much neglected resource,thePublic Library
may have some or all on the shelves.
I bought a used set of Trevor Thoms, The technical stuff I lapped up, Human Performance also presented few problems.

Weather ,well, I toil still,with some of the concepts and likewise Nav can be tedious. The basic bit is easy,the corrections and calculations tend to highlight my poor maths :O

Then we hit the dry-as-dust Air Law....you just have to stick it on the bedside locker and spend a half hour every night.......by the third reading, some will be familiar ;)...keep at it!

Now the kicker! I am not a pilot , have never taken a formal lesson and never handled an aircraft in flight, honest guv.......but I have tried (and passed) some of the free on-line mock tests.

Nobody is stopping you from taking the initiative and teaching yourself the theory. Apparently, the Flight Sim enthusiasts are good enough to fly a real plane.....no instruction whatsoever.....I also understand that the Wright Brothers struggled in this respect as well, so they also went the "self-instruction" route, without the benifit of a Sim.books or a computer. :}

You have an instructor, whom you pay to teach you. the more you do for yourself, the more time the instructor willhave to teach you the unwritten skills and tricks that will help you make the most of your time gaining a Pilot's Licence. good luck and get reading!

[Chase_BHX]

I used the Trevor Thom series but mainly purchased via ebay over several months once decided was happy with series (prices seem to wax and wane week by week).
Also had hand outs from ground school.

Chris