redsnail
22nd Dec 2001, 13:09
There were some time constraints and so I decided to post what I was going to talk about. I hope it helps some of you.
My talk on JAR ATPL preparation.
I have an Australian ATPL as well as some time on various types of aircraft ranging from C150’s to Dash 8’s. So, many of the concepts were not new. I just had to relearn a lot of stuff or learn it in JAR form. It was still hard work though!
So, what can a new PPLer do to gain some advantage prior to commencing formal study that won’t be too boring/depressing/expensive.
Remember, this is supposed to be fun…
Overview
Time must be prioritised whether you are doing it full time or distance learning. Family, work, study, time off all must be sorted. Personally, if you are full time, I wouldn’t try and do any work. You’ll need that time to relax.
I budgeted 2-3 hours study on top of class time for the “Navs”. 2-4 hours study for the “Techs” 5 days a week. 1 day off per week.
Eat well. Minimise the junk food
Do give yourself breaks from the study though. Useful for making contacts with the other students or you could go to a Bash <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Exercise regularly. It’s very good for destressing/managing the stress.
It is worth noting that 1 pint of beer is equivalent to a loss of 1 hours study <img src="redface.gif" border="0">
Prior.
Go through your own aircraft manuals carefully. Really understand what the performance graphs are telling you.
Take the cowl off and identify the engine components if you haven’t done so already.
See if you can get an engineer to show you what is involved with a 100 hourly/50 hourly and so on. If there are turbines there even better.
Go to some museums. Esp ones with various cut aways of engines. Midlands Museum at Coventry is one. There are others. Have a good look at airframes. Note the wing shape and what the aeroplane is designed to do. Note things like stall strips, vortex generators and the like.
Watch the tv wx with interest. Note what pressure systems bring what sort of wx. Now, start noting the world wx, in particular what the ITCZ is doing.
The subjects.
Note, the topics aren’t complete. It is a guide to assist with some reading if you choose.
PoF
4 forces of flight
Movement of the C of P and C of G
Stability
Thrust/Drag curves
Airframe/Systems/Powerplant
Ties in with PoF
Structures, eg spars, ribs, stringers
Pistons/Super/Turbo charging
Turbines
Fuel
Fire and Ice protection
Electrics and electronics/logic
Autoflight Note lots of questions
M&B
Believe it or not – lots of PoF
Plenty of C of G movement q’s
Performance
Again, PoF, M&B ties in
4 sectors of the t/off
Piston/multi engine piston/turbine
V speeds – learn!
Thrust/Drag/Power curves
Instruments and Electronics
Autoflight stuff as well
Ties in with Radio Nav
Wave theory
Compass
Operational Procedures
Grid Navigation – yes, no joke
JAR Ops – know well
Flight Planning and Monitoring
Uses the manual – be careful with the graphs
Be familiar with the various fuel policies
General Nav
This exam was the most time critical for me.
Radials/Bearings/To/From
Plotting not hard
Stellar
Time
Radio Nav
Ties in with Instruments
GPS
VOR/NDB/DME/ILS etc
Radio wave theory
Compasses
Gyro’s
Meteorology
Cold and warm fronts
Reading TAF/Metars/Arfor’s etc
Wx formation
General circulation
Climatology esp the ITCZ and various local wx phenomena around the world
Airlaw and ATC procedures
Read Cap 413
An ATCO mate is a must.
A most confusing and frustrating subject. (ICAO)
HP & Limitations
Physiology of the body, esp ear and eye
Psychology, Maslow et al
VFR and IFR Comms
Cross over believe it or not
Read Cap 413
Know the order of a Mayday call
Overall Tips and Thoughts (for when you are on course)
Don’t rely purely on feedback
Therefore know the topic.
In the classroom some things are “JAR facts” ie they are a given. (real experience and logic may say otherwise… <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> Therefore, don’t waste class time by asking “But WHYYYYYY?” Do this too much and you will really annoy the class!
It is better for your own learning to find out for yourself. If you are genuinely stuck, then ask.
Keep on top of the work. Revise and summarise.
It is normal to think it is insurmountable during the course. If I can do it, then any one can if they work at it.
Networking is vital for your career. Don’t isolate yourself from the group.
Believe it or not, you are being watched and assessed all the time. These teachers know people.
Remember, this is supposed to be fun.. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
My talk on JAR ATPL preparation.
I have an Australian ATPL as well as some time on various types of aircraft ranging from C150’s to Dash 8’s. So, many of the concepts were not new. I just had to relearn a lot of stuff or learn it in JAR form. It was still hard work though!
So, what can a new PPLer do to gain some advantage prior to commencing formal study that won’t be too boring/depressing/expensive.
Remember, this is supposed to be fun…
Overview
Time must be prioritised whether you are doing it full time or distance learning. Family, work, study, time off all must be sorted. Personally, if you are full time, I wouldn’t try and do any work. You’ll need that time to relax.
I budgeted 2-3 hours study on top of class time for the “Navs”. 2-4 hours study for the “Techs” 5 days a week. 1 day off per week.
Eat well. Minimise the junk food
Do give yourself breaks from the study though. Useful for making contacts with the other students or you could go to a Bash <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Exercise regularly. It’s very good for destressing/managing the stress.
It is worth noting that 1 pint of beer is equivalent to a loss of 1 hours study <img src="redface.gif" border="0">
Prior.
Go through your own aircraft manuals carefully. Really understand what the performance graphs are telling you.
Take the cowl off and identify the engine components if you haven’t done so already.
See if you can get an engineer to show you what is involved with a 100 hourly/50 hourly and so on. If there are turbines there even better.
Go to some museums. Esp ones with various cut aways of engines. Midlands Museum at Coventry is one. There are others. Have a good look at airframes. Note the wing shape and what the aeroplane is designed to do. Note things like stall strips, vortex generators and the like.
Watch the tv wx with interest. Note what pressure systems bring what sort of wx. Now, start noting the world wx, in particular what the ITCZ is doing.
The subjects.
Note, the topics aren’t complete. It is a guide to assist with some reading if you choose.
PoF
4 forces of flight
Movement of the C of P and C of G
Stability
Thrust/Drag curves
Airframe/Systems/Powerplant
Ties in with PoF
Structures, eg spars, ribs, stringers
Pistons/Super/Turbo charging
Turbines
Fuel
Fire and Ice protection
Electrics and electronics/logic
Autoflight Note lots of questions
M&B
Believe it or not – lots of PoF
Plenty of C of G movement q’s
Performance
Again, PoF, M&B ties in
4 sectors of the t/off
Piston/multi engine piston/turbine
V speeds – learn!
Thrust/Drag/Power curves
Instruments and Electronics
Autoflight stuff as well
Ties in with Radio Nav
Wave theory
Compass
Operational Procedures
Grid Navigation – yes, no joke
JAR Ops – know well
Flight Planning and Monitoring
Uses the manual – be careful with the graphs
Be familiar with the various fuel policies
General Nav
This exam was the most time critical for me.
Radials/Bearings/To/From
Plotting not hard
Stellar
Time
Radio Nav
Ties in with Instruments
GPS
VOR/NDB/DME/ILS etc
Radio wave theory
Compasses
Gyro’s
Meteorology
Cold and warm fronts
Reading TAF/Metars/Arfor’s etc
Wx formation
General circulation
Climatology esp the ITCZ and various local wx phenomena around the world
Airlaw and ATC procedures
Read Cap 413
An ATCO mate is a must.
A most confusing and frustrating subject. (ICAO)
HP & Limitations
Physiology of the body, esp ear and eye
Psychology, Maslow et al
VFR and IFR Comms
Cross over believe it or not
Read Cap 413
Know the order of a Mayday call
Overall Tips and Thoughts (for when you are on course)
Don’t rely purely on feedback
Therefore know the topic.
In the classroom some things are “JAR facts” ie they are a given. (real experience and logic may say otherwise… <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> Therefore, don’t waste class time by asking “But WHYYYYYY?” Do this too much and you will really annoy the class!
It is better for your own learning to find out for yourself. If you are genuinely stuck, then ask.
Keep on top of the work. Revise and summarise.
It is normal to think it is insurmountable during the course. If I can do it, then any one can if they work at it.
Networking is vital for your career. Don’t isolate yourself from the group.
Believe it or not, you are being watched and assessed all the time. These teachers know people.
Remember, this is supposed to be fun.. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">