Bob Tait RPL/PPL Vol I and II vs. Aviation Theory PPL/CPL kit
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Currently: A landlocked country with high terrain, otherwise Melbourne, Australia + Washington D.C.
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts

Here's a question on apples and pears.
RPL is a done deal, I am now working towards my PPL for which, I understand, one needs to sit yet another CASA exam. I'd have another question regarding the legitimacy of that organisation too but I'm afraid that would push me beyond the final frontier of both pragmatism and sanity much required on Thursday evenings. It seems that Bob Tait has a two volume monograph on RPL/PPL. There's also the seven manual kit by Aviation Theory which covers the PPL and CPL syllabi.
That leaves me a bit ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How could the Bob Tait textbook cover the PPL syllabus when it takes his competitor seven manuals? Aviation Theory alleges that PPL theory is 75% that of CPL. Still, that'd naively leave us an equivalent 5.25 books of contents vs. two volumes (or one if you assume RPL and PPL are one book each)?
For now I only remotely, albeit modestly, entertain the prospect of venturing into CPL territory (no offence, just happy like that for now plus the heavy duty to teach my twin boys some serious playstation skills leaves hardly any time to spare actually), hence the question to instructors of all grades out there: which textbook should I get a copy of? Will Bob Tait be enough (if so, only just Vol 2?) to sit the PPL exam?
Surely you'd be tempted to tell me to ask my own instructor first. And I did. His diplomatically very neutral answer that I will not reproduce here was not very helpful however.
RPL is a done deal, I am now working towards my PPL for which, I understand, one needs to sit yet another CASA exam. I'd have another question regarding the legitimacy of that organisation too but I'm afraid that would push me beyond the final frontier of both pragmatism and sanity much required on Thursday evenings. It seems that Bob Tait has a two volume monograph on RPL/PPL. There's also the seven manual kit by Aviation Theory which covers the PPL and CPL syllabi.
That leaves me a bit ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How could the Bob Tait textbook cover the PPL syllabus when it takes his competitor seven manuals? Aviation Theory alleges that PPL theory is 75% that of CPL. Still, that'd naively leave us an equivalent 5.25 books of contents vs. two volumes (or one if you assume RPL and PPL are one book each)?
For now I only remotely, albeit modestly, entertain the prospect of venturing into CPL territory (no offence, just happy like that for now plus the heavy duty to teach my twin boys some serious playstation skills leaves hardly any time to spare actually), hence the question to instructors of all grades out there: which textbook should I get a copy of? Will Bob Tait be enough (if so, only just Vol 2?) to sit the PPL exam?
Surely you'd be tempted to tell me to ask my own instructor first. And I did. His diplomatically very neutral answer that I will not reproduce here was not very helpful however.
Last edited by Okihara; 14th Jun 2018 at 09:17.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Currently: A landlocked country with high terrain, otherwise Melbourne, Australia + Washington D.C.
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last edited by Okihara; 14th Jun 2018 at 10:33.
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sydney/Brisbane
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okihara,
In my opinion both authors will do the job perfectly - entirely your choice. Bob Tait will certainly be sufficient to cover what is required for the PPL Examination. I would recommend ensuring both Vol and Vol II are the same edition or seek advice from Bob as to compatibility. The PPL examination is sometimes a tough nut to crack as it covers a lot of content in one examination so prepare well and good luck.
Loro.
In my opinion both authors will do the job perfectly - entirely your choice. Bob Tait will certainly be sufficient to cover what is required for the PPL Examination. I would recommend ensuring both Vol and Vol II are the same edition or seek advice from Bob as to compatibility. The PPL examination is sometimes a tough nut to crack as it covers a lot of content in one examination so prepare well and good luck.
Loro.
Short answer: Definitely, Yes, but get both Vol I and II.
I self-studied using the Bob Tait PPL books and got 93% year before last, with one of the losses being a question I didn't read properly. Bob's books are more plain-english than some others I've seen.
I self-studied using the Bob Tait PPL books and got 93% year before last, with one of the losses being a question I didn't read properly. Bob's books are more plain-english than some others I've seen.
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The Zoo
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would say Bob Tait books for the exam, as for the ATC books, they will provide you with that extra depth and be of real value should you decide to go CPL one day. Also use Bob Tait's practice exams before attempting the PPL test, you may find the questions and content very similar to the actual exam itself!
Ooroo
Ooroo

Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Currently: A landlocked country with high terrain, otherwise Melbourne, Australia + Washington D.C.
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks folks, I'll go for the Bob Tait ones for now. CPL would only be in a few years at the earliest so there will most probably be an update to the ATC books in the meantime worth waiting for.
As for his practice exams, thanks for the tip. I used those for the RPL test and they were a great preparation in style and content.
Cheers
As for his practice exams, thanks for the tip. I used those for the RPL test and they were a great preparation in style and content.
Cheers

Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Currently: A landlocked country with high terrain, otherwise Melbourne, Australia + Washington D.C.
Posts: 394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts