Written exams....
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whirly
You're right, the new PPL is a license to learn; the issue however is that one learns just about enough to do nothing really useful. This would be perfectly fine if the average school offered an environment where the PPL holder can progress. But most don't.
Unless of course you want to spend more money with them, on a NQ or the IMCR, but again the moment you get those you are back on your own.
But it's all been said before...
You're right, the new PPL is a license to learn; the issue however is that one learns just about enough to do nothing really useful. This would be perfectly fine if the average school offered an environment where the PPL holder can progress. But most don't.
Unless of course you want to spend more money with them, on a NQ or the IMCR, but again the moment you get those you are back on your own.
But it's all been said before...
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One idea I've been toying with suggesting at my local club is to promote a mentoring scheme. New PPLs would be mentored by experienced pilots (there would need to be some minimal administration to make it work), and that mentoring should perhaps be sufficiently rigorous to detect when a new PPL needs the attention of an instructor for, say, confidence building.
Mentoring works well in other fields of endeavour, why not that of the PPL?
Mentoring works well in other fields of endeavour, why not that of the PPL?
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: europe
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
drjd
Your post on 'real time mental models' was I am afraid too obtuse to be understood , certainly by me.
Your post on mentoring really means flying with more experienced pilots, and that is always a good idea.
I am assuming you are talking about qualified PPL holders who should be able to learn from both the good flying of their mentor and be able to silently note the poorer points of their mentor's performance,while starting out on the lifetime task of adding new skills and confidence to their flying,which is precisely the point at which the PPL course is intended to pass the PPL holder on to the rest of their flying life.
Your post on 'real time mental models' was I am afraid too obtuse to be understood , certainly by me.
Your post on mentoring really means flying with more experienced pilots, and that is always a good idea.
I am assuming you are talking about qualified PPL holders who should be able to learn from both the good flying of their mentor and be able to silently note the poorer points of their mentor's performance,while starting out on the lifetime task of adding new skills and confidence to their flying,which is precisely the point at which the PPL course is intended to pass the PPL holder on to the rest of their flying life.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Who cares? ;-)
Age: 74
Posts: 676
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DRJAD,
I think I understand what you mean by mentoring... something like the "big brother" system (and I don't me Orwell's..). experienced pilots take a "beginner" under their wing, so to speak
, taking them along on a cross country, flying with them when they fly somewhere themselves and giving them tips. They idea is not bad and worth a try... if you get enough volunteers.....
Also clubs could arrange refresher classes to discuss new regs or just review old ... but again, those that need it usually don't attend.. why? fear of embarrassing themselves? maybe....
Some of the stories I have heard at the bar when pilots are "hangar flying" are sometimes quite scary.....
Westy
I think I understand what you mean by mentoring... something like the "big brother" system (and I don't me Orwell's..). experienced pilots take a "beginner" under their wing, so to speak
, taking them along on a cross country, flying with them when they fly somewhere themselves and giving them tips. They idea is not bad and worth a try... if you get enough volunteers..... Also clubs could arrange refresher classes to discuss new regs or just review old ... but again, those that need it usually don't attend.. why? fear of embarrassing themselves? maybe....
Some of the stories I have heard at the bar when pilots are "hangar flying" are sometimes quite scary.....
Westy
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Kilmacolm
Age: 47
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I haven't had to resit any aviation exam... yet.
All six CAA PPL exams were passed first time, but Aircraft Technical was passed very marginally with 72% if I remember correctly (the pass mark back then was 70%).
Since then the IMC rating exam was passed, but only because half way through I noticed the true airspeed changed ten knots so I had to redo most of my nav plans etc...
The FAA Commercial and Instrument exams had 90% and 95% respectively and the oral tests were passed first time. By far the toughest exam I have had to pass is the FAA Instrument Oral Exam.
Now I've just starting my JAA ATPL's (the module one of the course is being delivered within the next week hopefully), I'll probably be resitting a few of them, but of course I'll be going out with the intention of passing all of them first time (my luck is *probably* about to run out though).
IO540,
I was quite lucky where I gained my PPL. They would pair people up and suggest new routes and places to visit once one gained their PPL as well as general support to us newbies and instilled it in us that the PPL was just a licence to learn and build upon (not necessarily new ratings).
Unfortunately the afformentioned club closed down a couple of years ago and at the club I am now a member of, most PPL's are now really left to their own devices unless they spend more money on other ratings as you suggest.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
All six CAA PPL exams were passed first time, but Aircraft Technical was passed very marginally with 72% if I remember correctly (the pass mark back then was 70%).
Since then the IMC rating exam was passed, but only because half way through I noticed the true airspeed changed ten knots so I had to redo most of my nav plans etc...
The FAA Commercial and Instrument exams had 90% and 95% respectively and the oral tests were passed first time. By far the toughest exam I have had to pass is the FAA Instrument Oral Exam.
Now I've just starting my JAA ATPL's (the module one of the course is being delivered within the next week hopefully), I'll probably be resitting a few of them, but of course I'll be going out with the intention of passing all of them first time (my luck is *probably* about to run out though).
IO540,
I was quite lucky where I gained my PPL. They would pair people up and suggest new routes and places to visit once one gained their PPL as well as general support to us newbies and instilled it in us that the PPL was just a licence to learn and build upon (not necessarily new ratings).
Unfortunately the afformentioned club closed down a couple of years ago and at the club I am now a member of, most PPL's are now really left to their own devices unless they spend more money on other ratings as you suggest.
Best wishes,
Charlie Zulu.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bluskis, sorry to become abstruse in my attempt to produce unambiguity!
Yes, I agree with you and Westwind1950 in the essence of such a scheme. Almost exactly as you describe, though I think there could be a strong element of one to one discussion with a mentor both prior to and after a flight. (I.e. an informal briefing and debriefing discussion.) The idea of it which I have at present is that:
i) a club's or a school's CFI would attempt to match new PPL holders with amenable experienced PPL holders. E.g. would attempt not to match a relatively unassertive individual with someone with an over-confident manner, for that could lead to a diminution of confidence in the new PPL holder.
ii) the mentoring process is a one to one relationship, so that matters can be raised in discussion (after each party had achieved some confidence in the other) which the new PPL holder may feel diffident about broaching in public.
Of course, to fly together is extremely valuable, and is to be encouraged. Ante- and post-flight discussion, though, is, to my mind, also valuable in that issues may be raised independent of the pressure of aviating.
The mentor, also, would need to be alert to issues which require the expert help of an instructor, and encourage the new PPL holder to seek that help.
I do not propose such a scheme as a panacea for all problems, nor do I suggest it should be compulsory. It is merely offered as an idea which may assist new PPL holders to continue the learning process, and which some clubs and schools may find useful to adopt.
Yes, I agree with you and Westwind1950 in the essence of such a scheme. Almost exactly as you describe, though I think there could be a strong element of one to one discussion with a mentor both prior to and after a flight. (I.e. an informal briefing and debriefing discussion.) The idea of it which I have at present is that:
i) a club's or a school's CFI would attempt to match new PPL holders with amenable experienced PPL holders. E.g. would attempt not to match a relatively unassertive individual with someone with an over-confident manner, for that could lead to a diminution of confidence in the new PPL holder.
ii) the mentoring process is a one to one relationship, so that matters can be raised in discussion (after each party had achieved some confidence in the other) which the new PPL holder may feel diffident about broaching in public.
Of course, to fly together is extremely valuable, and is to be encouraged. Ante- and post-flight discussion, though, is, to my mind, also valuable in that issues may be raised independent of the pressure of aviating.
The mentor, also, would need to be alert to issues which require the expert help of an instructor, and encourage the new PPL holder to seek that help.
I do not propose such a scheme as a panacea for all problems, nor do I suggest it should be compulsory. It is merely offered as an idea which may assist new PPL holders to continue the learning process, and which some clubs and schools may find useful to adopt.
PINKS WORLD THROUGH ROSE COLOURED SPECS
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Happy and content again back in the house on the beach ,baking on the AGA and flying around my highland home . emmmmmmmm
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RESITS
HI Westy
(wasn't sure wether I was allowed to drop in and post , as I do not know what "HI-JACKING " A post is .)
Any way ,wanted to add, that I never really went in to passing exams seriuosly at school ( a bit rebellious back the .teehee )
But because I really wanted to learn to fly , I knew this was time to really STUDY , my stuff.
AND STUDY I did . Obbsessivly to the cost of other things .
But I did , (HAVE ,JUST ) passed them all now, but I did fail a couple first time around , but as I was lax on exam technique ,
I failed on stupid mistakes ,,that if I had have checked them properly , would have made a big difference .
BUT I learnt from it , .
I actually found MET the hardest for me .
(intersting thread by the way .)
THE PINKSTER
(wasn't sure wether I was allowed to drop in and post , as I do not know what "HI-JACKING " A post is .)
Any way ,wanted to add, that I never really went in to passing exams seriuosly at school ( a bit rebellious back the .teehee )
But because I really wanted to learn to fly , I knew this was time to really STUDY , my stuff.
AND STUDY I did . Obbsessivly to the cost of other things .
But I did , (HAVE ,JUST ) passed them all now, but I did fail a couple first time around , but as I was lax on exam technique ,
I failed on stupid mistakes ,,that if I had have checked them properly , would have made a big difference .
BUT I learnt from it , .
I actually found MET the hardest for me .
(intersting thread by the way .)
THE PINKSTER
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Who cares? ;-)
Age: 74
Posts: 676
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
good morning Pinkster,
actually you didn't "hi-jack" the thread but brought it back "on topic"
The subject of "mentoring" should perhaps be continued in a new thread. The biggest problem I see, is that many experienced pilots that are not also instructors may NOT be really qualified for mentoring.... but who decides that? They may be experienced, but that doesn't mean they do things "right" (whatever that is....) or have the proper training for mentoring. There are reasons for instrutors to have training in educational theorie.
For example: I once knew a very experienced pilot who took a young kid, 12 years old at the time, under his wing. In spite of the fact that this kid was much too young, this pilot taught the kid how to "fly" his plane (Pa28 Arrow) ... he took the kid on many trips, letting the kid always sit in the right seat and fly.... I believe he let the kid even land!
Well, when the kid was finally old enough to start learning glider flying, he was "ruined". He thought he knew it all, but much he had learned was "wrong". He did manage to get his glider licence, if I remember right, but he no longer flies and never got his single-engine....
pity.. he may have become a good pilot one day....
Of course, I don't want to generalise but just add some points to think about....
Westy
actually you didn't "hi-jack" the thread but brought it back "on topic"
The subject of "mentoring" should perhaps be continued in a new thread. The biggest problem I see, is that many experienced pilots that are not also instructors may NOT be really qualified for mentoring.... but who decides that? They may be experienced, but that doesn't mean they do things "right" (whatever that is....) or have the proper training for mentoring. There are reasons for instrutors to have training in educational theorie.
For example: I once knew a very experienced pilot who took a young kid, 12 years old at the time, under his wing. In spite of the fact that this kid was much too young, this pilot taught the kid how to "fly" his plane (Pa28 Arrow) ... he took the kid on many trips, letting the kid always sit in the right seat and fly.... I believe he let the kid even land!
Well, when the kid was finally old enough to start learning glider flying, he was "ruined". He thought he knew it all, but much he had learned was "wrong". He did manage to get his glider licence, if I remember right, but he no longer flies and never got his single-engine....
pity.. he may have become a good pilot one day....Of course, I don't want to generalise but just add some points to think about....
Westy
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, that's why the suggestion is that CFIs match mentee with mentor. It is the CFI in a training establishment, is it not, who should monitor suitability and efficacy of training?
The main point, however, seems to me to try to create an examination regime which really tests logical thought, synthesis of argument from relevant data, rejecting those data which are irrelevant, and cogent decisions for future action. These, along with the ability to communicate in what is, I understand, the international language of aviation, namely English.
The main point, however, seems to me to try to create an examination regime which really tests logical thought, synthesis of argument from relevant data, rejecting those data which are irrelevant, and cogent decisions for future action. These, along with the ability to communicate in what is, I understand, the international language of aviation, namely English.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DRJAD / CZ
Great idea, mentoring, but one has to get this past the old grey-haired CFI whose view is likely to be "a student should fly only with a PROPER INSTRUCTOR othewise he/she might pick up bad habits".
A less charitable attitude on the school's part is that they want the student to donate every penny that he has to the school, and not to some other pilot's PPL cost sharing scheme
Given that many students are skint and can only just scrape together the money for each lesson, this is an understandable "business attitude" - hugely damaging to the PPL scene in the long run of course.
There are lots more things which a school could do to advance things; e.g. buy a decent plane and then sell off shares in it to keen pilots. This is even less likely to happen, for obvious reasons...
Great idea, mentoring, but one has to get this past the old grey-haired CFI whose view is likely to be "a student should fly only with a PROPER INSTRUCTOR othewise he/she might pick up bad habits".
A less charitable attitude on the school's part is that they want the student to donate every penny that he has to the school, and not to some other pilot's PPL cost sharing scheme
Given that many students are skint and can only just scrape together the money for each lesson, this is an understandable "business attitude" - hugely damaging to the PPL scene in the long run of course.There are lots more things which a school could do to advance things; e.g. buy a decent plane and then sell off shares in it to keen pilots. This is even less likely to happen, for obvious reasons...
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IO540,
I quite see the point - and it had worried me too in the context of a universal mentoring scheme.
However, it does seem to me that even if a few clubs/schools adopted such a scheme then it would/might have overall benefits to the GA community at large. It also may result in those schools/clubs being seen as in advance of others in the provision of 'aftercare' to their flying graduates!
Really, I had not thought of it as a cost-sharing scheme for existing PPLs
Of course there are very likely to be other ways to provide encouragement and 'aftercare', I'd hope that the GA training industry would continue to explore ways to enhance their activities. (There are some clubs/schools, I know, who do provide schemes for experiential flying opportunities for both students and 'graduates' of their training facilities.)
I quite see the point - and it had worried me too in the context of a universal mentoring scheme.
However, it does seem to me that even if a few clubs/schools adopted such a scheme then it would/might have overall benefits to the GA community at large. It also may result in those schools/clubs being seen as in advance of others in the provision of 'aftercare' to their flying graduates!
Really, I had not thought of it as a cost-sharing scheme for existing PPLs
Of course there are very likely to be other ways to provide encouragement and 'aftercare', I'd hope that the GA training industry would continue to explore ways to enhance their activities. (There are some clubs/schools, I know, who do provide schemes for experiential flying opportunities for both students and 'graduates' of their training facilities.)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DRJAD
I think the overall objective is to make it obvious to the PPL student that flying is not only fun (this often isn't at all obvious during training, when you sweat your way around the circuit!) but that flying "for real", i.e. using modern nav methods, is a good deal easier than one would expect from one's training experience.
On the assumption that every instructor is perfect, a student can achieve this without picking up bad habits, by flying with an instructor. The instructor will probably really enjoy being taken to France and Spain and you name it, or just along the road to Compton Abbas for a beer, but it's going to cost the student an awful lot of money!
Money is the bottom line, and one has to sell any such scheme to the school.
I think the overall objective is to make it obvious to the PPL student that flying is not only fun (this often isn't at all obvious during training, when you sweat your way around the circuit!) but that flying "for real", i.e. using modern nav methods, is a good deal easier than one would expect from one's training experience.
On the assumption that every instructor is perfect, a student can achieve this without picking up bad habits, by flying with an instructor. The instructor will probably really enjoy being taken to France and Spain and you name it, or just along the road to Compton Abbas for a beer, but it's going to cost the student an awful lot of money!
Money is the bottom line, and one has to sell any such scheme to the school.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IO540,
Absolutely, as far as the school is concerned.
I'd would have hoped that the benefit for the school is that, if supported and encouraged, new PPL holders would fly more frequently, for longer flights, and stay in the activity for longer. Thus, they would generate more income for their host organization, but would also, hopefully, enjoy their flying more. After all, one hears about the high attrition rate post PPL.
I must admit, I do not have a motivation problem to keep flying, but am trying to propose ideas which may assist with lowering the attrition rate.
So far as the principal burden of the thread is concerned, I do share the concerns of others that the PPL examination regime as presently constituted seems rather easy. My own solution would be to make the examinations more rigorous and more academic, but I know that others find this an unacceptable route. One wonders whether the CAA/JAA have other alterations in the pipeline to succeed the recent alterations. Is it not also time to follow the FAA into an automated question setting regime for those examinations which are suitable for MCQs? Perhaps that would allow for a much expanded repertoire of examination questions. One would have thought most training organizations now have access to online facilities.
Absolutely, as far as the school is concerned.
I'd would have hoped that the benefit for the school is that, if supported and encouraged, new PPL holders would fly more frequently, for longer flights, and stay in the activity for longer. Thus, they would generate more income for their host organization, but would also, hopefully, enjoy their flying more. After all, one hears about the high attrition rate post PPL.
I must admit, I do not have a motivation problem to keep flying, but am trying to propose ideas which may assist with lowering the attrition rate.
So far as the principal burden of the thread is concerned, I do share the concerns of others that the PPL examination regime as presently constituted seems rather easy. My own solution would be to make the examinations more rigorous and more academic, but I know that others find this an unacceptable route. One wonders whether the CAA/JAA have other alterations in the pipeline to succeed the recent alterations. Is it not also time to follow the FAA into an automated question setting regime for those examinations which are suitable for MCQs? Perhaps that would allow for a much expanded repertoire of examination questions. One would have thought most training organizations now have access to online facilities.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DRJAD
I agree but sadly I don't see what benefit it is to the school to have PPLs continuing to fly.
Of course the greater benefit would be that after some years the active PPL population would increase, but I don't think this would bring more people into the activity unless there was considerable modernisation. That would bring in more people who can afford to fly, and I think the relevance of the exams would become moot.
I agree but sadly I don't see what benefit it is to the school to have PPLs continuing to fly.
Of course the greater benefit would be that after some years the active PPL population would increase, but I don't think this would bring more people into the activity unless there was considerable modernisation. That would bring in more people who can afford to fly, and I think the relevance of the exams would become moot.
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IO540,
Yes, and we're getting into the whole area of the aging UK GA fleet, and its presentation to the consumer, I guess.
My experience, and I readily admit it is not long enough nor broad enough to admit of generalization, is that many people post PPL, who I guess may be candidates for attrition, would continue to hire from the school or club at which they learnt. That way there would, surely, be some advantage to the school?
Additionally, if encouraged to enjoy their flying, and not to allow it to lapse, they may well be encouraged to take further training.
Anyway, these are just options, as you say, the ideal is for recent PPLs to be encouraged to enjoy their flying and to continue to learn.
Yes, and we're getting into the whole area of the aging UK GA fleet, and its presentation to the consumer, I guess.
My experience, and I readily admit it is not long enough nor broad enough to admit of generalization, is that many people post PPL, who I guess may be candidates for attrition, would continue to hire from the school or club at which they learnt. That way there would, surely, be some advantage to the school?
Additionally, if encouraged to enjoy their flying, and not to allow it to lapse, they may well be encouraged to take further training.
Anyway, these are just options, as you say, the ideal is for recent PPLs to be encouraged to enjoy their flying and to continue to learn.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Who cares? ;-)
Age: 74
Posts: 676
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hello DRJAD,
I think that is already the standard. Once you get your PPL you usually stay with the same club or school you're familiar with, the planes you know, the people and airfield you know. Most new PPL's can't afford their own plane, so what alternative do they have?
The mentoring would only really be possible in a club and not a commercial outfit I think. What most pilots I know try to do is plan flights together, one flying and paying the first stretch, the other flying the return. That way each pays only that part he actually flies and manages to go to new places the other may already know. And you learn by watching the other....
In my old glider club we tried to assign pilots to new students, sort of a mentor I guess, to show them how the club works, etc. Worked pretty well.... usually.
The electronic writtens are gaining ground over here.....
Westy
.....would continue to hire from the school or club at which they learnt.
The mentoring would only really be possible in a club and not a commercial outfit I think. What most pilots I know try to do is plan flights together, one flying and paying the first stretch, the other flying the return. That way each pays only that part he actually flies and manages to go to new places the other may already know. And you learn by watching the other....
In my old glider club we tried to assign pilots to new students, sort of a mentor I guess, to show them how the club works, etc. Worked pretty well.... usually.
The electronic writtens are gaining ground over here.....
Westy
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Almost Scotland
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hallo Westy,
Yes, your experience in your gliding club is the way it could go. I agree it may only be easy in a club setting, but I believe certain schools (i.e. commercial organizations) are doing it de facto here, although not necessarily calling it a mentoring scheme.
Ref. the collaborating, or, perhaps, 'peer to peer mentoring'!, I'm a fairly low hours {150 or so} PPL/IMC and very happy to do this when asked - cost share, etc.. I usually find, as well, that actually I'm quite happy to share costs and not do any of the actual flying, if other, perhaps more assertive, individuals want to do more than their share.
Interesting to note the take-up of the electronic writtens there: I think there could be advantages to such a scheme here.
Yes, your experience in your gliding club is the way it could go. I agree it may only be easy in a club setting, but I believe certain schools (i.e. commercial organizations) are doing it de facto here, although not necessarily calling it a mentoring scheme.
Ref. the collaborating, or, perhaps, 'peer to peer mentoring'!, I'm a fairly low hours {150 or so} PPL/IMC and very happy to do this when asked - cost share, etc.. I usually find, as well, that actually I'm quite happy to share costs and not do any of the actual flying, if other, perhaps more assertive, individuals want to do more than their share.
Interesting to note the take-up of the electronic writtens there: I think there could be advantages to such a scheme here.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Sutton, Surrey
Age: 54
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi everyone.
I am newly registered here but having benn reading the forums for a while.
Going back to original point of the thread I am a little worried.
Statements such as:
"... are they so easy?"
"The majority of people pass them first time. They really are not very difficult."
"I remember thinking if there are really people flying around who could only manage to get 70% on that exam then I hope they keep well out of my way".
I have just started my PPL and am struggling with the ground exams. I haven't done any for real yet but am only getting between 50% and 60% on my practice papers.
I work for a certain Air Traffic Services provider and have been associated with ATC both operationally and technically for 12 years now. I have an engineering degree and am chartered. I have spent many years working with motorcycle and car engines and also fly model aeroplanes. I would have thought that I might have been able to do better in those areas at least... but no!!!
So has anyone any recommendations?
What worries me is that rather than taking the attitude of trying to learn I am now thinking along the lines of how the hell am I going to pass the exams which is not the best way surely!!!
Any thoughts would be most helpful!!!
I am newly registered here but having benn reading the forums for a while.
Going back to original point of the thread I am a little worried.
Statements such as:
"... are they so easy?"
"The majority of people pass them first time. They really are not very difficult."
"I remember thinking if there are really people flying around who could only manage to get 70% on that exam then I hope they keep well out of my way".
I have just started my PPL and am struggling with the ground exams. I haven't done any for real yet but am only getting between 50% and 60% on my practice papers.
I work for a certain Air Traffic Services provider and have been associated with ATC both operationally and technically for 12 years now. I have an engineering degree and am chartered. I have spent many years working with motorcycle and car engines and also fly model aeroplanes. I would have thought that I might have been able to do better in those areas at least... but no!!!
So has anyone any recommendations?
What worries me is that rather than taking the attitude of trying to learn I am now thinking along the lines of how the hell am I going to pass the exams which is not the best way surely!!!
Any thoughts would be most helpful!!!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Surrey, UK.
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Papa Bravo Delta 
When you discuss the ones you struggled-on with your instructor(s) do you then understand where you went wrong or is it all still a mystery?
Got any examples of where the difficulties are?
Sorry it is hard to give specific advice to a non-specific question
I haven't done any for real yet but am only getting between 50% and 60% on my practice papers.
Got any examples of where the difficulties are?
Sorry it is hard to give specific advice to a non-specific question
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Cambridge, England, EU
Posts: 3,443
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
It was me that said
and I'm pretty sure I still think that way. (Within reason. All the nonsense about bureaucratic structures in the current air law exam seems to be rather less directly related to the safety of other users of the sky.)
I'm sure it'll depend on how you try to learn it. I had the benefit of evening classes as well as the self-study material, and personally I often learn better when someone explains to me how to understand something than if I just try to memorise a text book (at which I am totally cr@p). Also some of it depends on when you try to take the exams in relation to where you are with the flying; trying to understand the theory about drag and angle of attack and stuff seemed lots easier to me once I'd tried stalling an aircraft.
I remember thinking if there are really people flying around who could only manage to get 70% on that exam then I hope they keep well out of my way
I'm sure it'll depend on how you try to learn it. I had the benefit of evening classes as well as the self-study material, and personally I often learn better when someone explains to me how to understand something than if I just try to memorise a text book (at which I am totally cr@p). Also some of it depends on when you try to take the exams in relation to where you are with the flying; trying to understand the theory about drag and angle of attack and stuff seemed lots easier to me once I'd tried stalling an aircraft.