PPL!!!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BP be careful in parts of Amsterdam too!
If you employ the services of certain ladies, they will provide the necessary protection as part of the deal. And if you visit smart shops, coffee shops and such, all the necessary stuff to enjoy things safely can be bought there too.
As far as illegal stuff (yes there is some that's illegal, even in Amsterdam): The Dutch government even has programs in place where registered drugs addicts can exchange their needles for free. So much for Darwin...
(I'm not going to be more specific or explicit, otherwise the mods might throw me out. But for me, I just make sure my beerglass is clean.)
)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Leicestershire
Age: 44
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm suprised that no-one else has added the oft'quoted phrase of verbatim that you shouldn't spend more money than you have to before getting a class II medical certificate (assuming JAA PPL). a) because you don't want it to hold up going solo and b) becuase you don't want to be spending circa. £2000 on training and equipment without knowing if you can hold a license.
Good luck and enjoy your PPL!
Good luck and enjoy your PPL!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having only just completed my PPL and I agree that there is some good advice on here, especially about Amsterdam!
On a similar note to getting your medical early, i would also say that it is worth having a flight or two before spending too much more as it doesn't turn out to be everyone's cup of tea. I am sure that you will be fine and will love it, but I must say that after my first flight and just about 'stomaching' it, I did wonder whether I would be able to hack it!!
Regarding knee boards, I tried both knee and lap and found it much easier to use a lap board. But like everything, its personal preference and you will soon find what suits you best in the cramped cockpit! Finally, you can always use AVGAS to clean your laminate / map etc and it removes the fear of having to walk into a shop and ask for nail polish remover!!
Good luck for Feb!!
On a similar note to getting your medical early, i would also say that it is worth having a flight or two before spending too much more as it doesn't turn out to be everyone's cup of tea. I am sure that you will be fine and will love it, but I must say that after my first flight and just about 'stomaching' it, I did wonder whether I would be able to hack it!!
Regarding knee boards, I tried both knee and lap and found it much easier to use a lap board. But like everything, its personal preference and you will soon find what suits you best in the cramped cockpit! Finally, you can always use AVGAS to clean your laminate / map etc and it removes the fear of having to walk into a shop and ask for nail polish remover!!
Good luck for Feb!!
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's a tip: if you don't like splashinng AVGAS around, and your instructor won't lend you his nail polish remover 
you can clean the permanent marker off your map by scribbling over it with a whiteboard marker (found in all good briefing rooms), then wiping both off.
The solvent in the whiteboard marker works a treat.
you can clean the permanent marker off your map by scribbling over it with a whiteboard marker (found in all good briefing rooms), then wiping both off.The solvent in the whiteboard marker works a treat.
The Original Whirly
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Belper, Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 4,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't buy ANYTHING yet!
You may hate flying, or as has been mentioned, not be able to pass a medical.
You won't need a chart before you do navigation, and it may have gone out of date by then. And people have personal preferences as to the type of pens they like, as you'll have gathered. though, personally, I'd buy Tesco nail varnish remover pads - you can put them in the basket without having to talk to anyone in the store, they only cost 99p, and they fit neatly in a pocket.
Some people like A4 kneeboards, others the smallest they can find, others none at all. Find out what you like...or you'll end up with three of them!
You will need the books for the exams and the confuser, but what's the rush? Unless you're planning to do the whole course in weeks rather than months. Air Law books get republished approximately annually, so will go out of date.
Unless you're the type to really worry about infection, don't get a headset yet - I've never caught anything in years of using communal ones.
You DO need a log book. Other than that, take along a clear head and lots of enthusiasm.
Have fun.
You may hate flying, or as has been mentioned, not be able to pass a medical.
You won't need a chart before you do navigation, and it may have gone out of date by then. And people have personal preferences as to the type of pens they like, as you'll have gathered. though, personally, I'd buy Tesco nail varnish remover pads - you can put them in the basket without having to talk to anyone in the store, they only cost 99p, and they fit neatly in a pocket.
Some people like A4 kneeboards, others the smallest they can find, others none at all. Find out what you like...or you'll end up with three of them!
You will need the books for the exams and the confuser, but what's the rush? Unless you're planning to do the whole course in weeks rather than months. Air Law books get republished approximately annually, so will go out of date.
Unless you're the type to really worry about infection, don't get a headset yet - I've never caught anything in years of using communal ones.
You DO need a log book. Other than that, take along a clear head and lots of enthusiasm.
Have fun.
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DX, I'd have had you down for a surgical spirit sort of gal!!!
Who me Whirls? 
I find it has a rather unpleasant bouquet and the coughing fits it produces mean it isn't really suitable as an inflight beverage. I prefer fresh orange juice. The Cash And Aggro bods tends to frown upon its use too. 
Have you checked the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Act
and I want to be able to continue flying. Those Elf and Safety persons are everywhere. 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: heathrow
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
something from the HAZMAT schedule
I just sign the sheet and agree with the load controller on the basis if anything looks dangerous dont carry it and that includes passengers and crew too!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: The airport
Age: 33
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You should buy a guide on the aircraft you are training in, these can be very usefull, I have one on the cessna 150,
they can be bought on transair- www.transair.com
kind regards whitus1
they can be bought on transair- www.transair.com
kind regards whitus1
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Age: 58
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Transair are good and who I normally use, but look on ebay first for most things as there are some real bargains to be had. For examle, In my case: Brand new headset, (for pax use not for me not DC) incl case £40 (Cost £120 in T/Air, AFE etc), Sportys E6B calculator £25 all in (Equiv calc cost >£60).
Sometimes you get a job lot of books, knee board, headset, ruler etc. being sold by someone whose giving up flying or hasn't started in the first place, these can be really good value for money. If you don't want all the job lot, keep what you want, sell the rest on.
Also check Amazon for books, my Trev Thom book 5 (Instrument/radio nav) was only £17 post free as opposed to about £23-25 elsewhere. You can get books off of ebay but be careful they are not too old and therefore a bit out of date.
Overall, as someone else said, don't go too mad buying stuff just yet.
Sometimes you get a job lot of books, knee board, headset, ruler etc. being sold by someone whose giving up flying or hasn't started in the first place, these can be really good value for money. If you don't want all the job lot, keep what you want, sell the rest on.
Also check Amazon for books, my Trev Thom book 5 (Instrument/radio nav) was only £17 post free as opposed to about £23-25 elsewhere. You can get books off of ebay but be careful they are not too old and therefore a bit out of date.
Overall, as someone else said, don't go too mad buying stuff just yet.
