Just started my PPL & need some advice..
Join Date: Jun 2007
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I am also just starting my navs at present I am reading all the books .One question I have is do you think it better to do all the navs within a week or two, or spread it out over a month or so ? .I was planning to read all the ppl books, then do the first nav and then see what I really need to work on and then do the rest over a week .any advice appreciated.
Join Date: May 2006
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I recommend doing it over at least a month. I can't remember what it's called, but I recollect that learning requires a certain amount of time to be "processed" by your brain and internalised to become part of your skill set.
Do all your navs in one week and a month or so later you may have forgotten what you learned.
I still replay in my mind every flight I've done and find that I learn something new each time
- Like how wonderful it is to have a good autopilot and a GPS
- And NOT to keep misjudging distances when on approach to short and narrow strips
Do all your navs in one week and a month or so later you may have forgotten what you learned.
I still replay in my mind every flight I've done and find that I learn something new each time
- Like how wonderful it is to have a good autopilot and a GPS
- And NOT to keep misjudging distances when on approach to short and narrow strips
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Just finished my PPL recently. One thing that I found of great help was to keep every flightplan and scrap of paper I used. If I ever got stuck in the planning stages (which was fairly often) I'd refer back to a previous nav and soon get back on track. Worked well for me.
I got quite a few headaches early on, which I believe were mainly from lack of water. Make a point of including taking a drink in your CLEAROF or similar checks. Don't wait till you get thirsty because then its too late.
Relax too
Enjoy the scenery, its much more interesting than GFPT training flights.
Ozzi
I got quite a few headaches early on, which I believe were mainly from lack of water. Make a point of including taking a drink in your CLEAROF or similar checks. Don't wait till you get thirsty because then its too late.
Relax too
Enjoy the scenery, its much more interesting than GFPT training flights.Ozzi
Join Date: Oct 2006
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Use flight following
I'm a big fan of flight following.
This is where you remain in contact with a controller through all or part of your flight, even if you don't strictly have to be in contact with them due to airspace requirements.
They give you a discrete transponder code and hand you off to other controllers as you make progress.
Flight following is handy if you're going into an unfamiliar metropolitan area. It makes it much more difficult make an airspace mistake.
You're still in charge, of course, and you still have responsibility for everything -- and the controller can terminate your service anytime he wants -- but in practice I've found they're helpful and I imagine that if you said you were a student they'd be less likely to drop you even if they became busy.
This is where you remain in contact with a controller through all or part of your flight, even if you don't strictly have to be in contact with them due to airspace requirements.
They give you a discrete transponder code and hand you off to other controllers as you make progress.
Flight following is handy if you're going into an unfamiliar metropolitan area. It makes it much more difficult make an airspace mistake.
You're still in charge, of course, and you still have responsibility for everything -- and the controller can terminate your service anytime he wants -- but in practice I've found they're helpful and I imagine that if you said you were a student they'd be less likely to drop you even if they became busy.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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A negative comment
G'day 57Goldtop,
There's been some GREAT advice given to you here. Well done guys!!
But I've got to say that (apart from Crosshairs suggestion about flight following) every bit of advice given to you here on prune should have already been given to you by your INSTRUCTOR!
What's more, your instructor should have been able to see that you're having difficulties during the navs, and given you some of these tips already. This should have happened after the first nav, and definately after the second.
My 2c!
DIVOSH!
There's been some GREAT advice given to you here.
Well done guys!!But I've got to say that (apart from Crosshairs suggestion about flight following) every bit of advice given to you here on prune should have already been given to you by your INSTRUCTOR!
What's more, your instructor should have been able to see that you're having difficulties during the navs, and given you some of these tips already. This should have happened after the first nav, and definately after the second.
My 2c!
DIVOSH!
G'Day 57Goldtop
Re- using FS. Use FS to go over the route rather than practice your scan. What you are looking for is prominent topo features on your horizon,at your intended cruise altitude, that will help you get a good hold of your intended track. Towns and villages are not much chop. Roads, rivers, rail, dams and powerlines depend on what software you have downloaded. However, the terrain is very close to what you will see as you look ahead on the RL flight. Like Deja Vu
Re- using FS. Use FS to go over the route rather than practice your scan. What you are looking for is prominent topo features on your horizon,at your intended cruise altitude, that will help you get a good hold of your intended track. Towns and villages are not much chop. Roads, rivers, rail, dams and powerlines depend on what software you have downloaded. However, the terrain is very close to what you will see as you look ahead on the RL flight. Like Deja Vu
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
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What's more, your instructor should have been able to see that you're having difficulties during the navs, and given you some of these tips already. This should have happened after the first nav, and definately after the second.
I'm looking at different flying schools in Bankstown but I'm unfamiliar with the area & GAAP procedures so perhaps some good advice on schools would be a plus. I looked at Basair and other schools after doing a search on the forums but it appears that I need to pay upfront ?
Regards.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Sad to hear...
Presumably you've already approached both your instructor and CFI regarding the lack of "help". 
Do a search on "Flying schools" or just "Bankstown"; there should be some good info there.
Good luck.
DIVOSH
Do a search on "Flying schools" or just "Bankstown"; there should be some good info there.
Good luck.
DIVOSH
Join Date: Aug 2007
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CLEAR checks
Its simple, look at the map, look at the ground. Good, now you know where you are. Then:
C- Check heading, DG to compass, check trim
L- Log times, fuel (change tanks)
E- Engine Temps and Pressures.
A- Altitude
R- Radio, ensure you are on the correct frequency and have the next one dialled up.
Have a swig of water, look out the window, take a deep breath then start again.
Have asked these same questions of my CFI and he has said its all perfecty normal, he even gets it if he hasn't flown for a couple weeks.
Lastly, I was getting terrible headaches from my Flightcoms, so go buy some good gel seals for your headset (i got David Clarke) and also I pop ginger tablets on a regular basis while flying, staves off any nausea (rare) and will calm you as well.
Good luck! Now I just have to take my own advice...
C- Check heading, DG to compass, check trim
L- Log times, fuel (change tanks)
E- Engine Temps and Pressures.
A- Altitude
R- Radio, ensure you are on the correct frequency and have the next one dialled up.
Have a swig of water, look out the window, take a deep breath then start again.
Have asked these same questions of my CFI and he has said its all perfecty normal, he even gets it if he hasn't flown for a couple weeks.
Lastly, I was getting terrible headaches from my Flightcoms, so go buy some good gel seals for your headset (i got David Clarke) and also I pop ginger tablets on a regular basis while flying, staves off any nausea (rare) and will calm you as well.
Good luck! Now I just have to take my own advice...
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Cant really think of any helpful advice here that hasnt been mentioned, definately agree with the button on the hat thing. I've got my hat 'aviationalised' but find on the bigger trips especially its better just not to wear a hat.
Anyway, I see a few mentions of CLEAROF checks. Obviously something has been missing in my education because this is the first time i've heard of them. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks
Ivan the Russkie
Anyway, I see a few mentions of CLEAROF checks. Obviously something has been missing in my education because this is the first time i've heard of them. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks
Ivan the Russkie
More useful than a cap in flight is a spare WAC chart. Spread it out over half the windscreen, does a wonderful job of blocking out the sunlight!
Maybe not the best to do flying around the Bankstown circuit, but it does work, and avoids both problems associated with wearing caps. (the little buttons, and hat-hair)
Maybe not the best to do flying around the Bankstown circuit, but it does work, and avoids both problems associated with wearing caps. (the little buttons, and hat-hair)
Might try it tomorrow at work, give the boys something to talk about
