What "extras" will I need for my PPL?
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: London, Berlin, Bucharest
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i got my ppl at stapleford and they do say you can use the thumb but they also teach you the proper way of doing things and if you plan to go for the CPL you will need the diversion ruler and time/speed ruler anyway. its best to learn to correct way of doing things fist time round then do what you want later on when ur more experianced.
as for the dip sticks.... no dipstick comes with the aircraft atleast at stapleford so if you have decided to do your ppl in a C152 for example you will need to get a C152 dipstick from the shop. if your still not sure what you need to get just ask your instructor to go the the shop next to reception with you.
as for the dip sticks.... no dipstick comes with the aircraft atleast at stapleford so if you have decided to do your ppl in a C152 for example you will need to get a C152 dipstick from the shop. if your still not sure what you need to get just ask your instructor to go the the shop next to reception with you.
Join Date: Jul 2008
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Hi AJ
For you right now its the hands-on flying that's the most important thing so don't buy anything that you don't need. Remember that the flying club are in it to make money so they're hardly likely to say "No" to anything you think you should buy.
However, because of the need to have clear communication with your instructor and deal with the unfamiliar banter from the tower, even at this early stage I would invest in a headset and frankly, as others have said, a basic David Clarke off Ebay would be fine. Personally I wouldn't bother with an ANR headset unless you are planning to fly an AN2 after you get your PPL
Don't buy fuel inspection cups, fancy pilot bags and electronic navigation gizmos. (If the flying club doesn't have a fuel inspection glass on site or in the aircraft, I'd like to know why not.)
You can still end up having the fancy Pilot bag and other things like this as they make excellent gifts for Christmas and Birthdays and even as an excersise 14 present
I think some established pilots forget that many people starting out on the PPL route are strapped for cash. The PPL itself is a fair slice of one's hard earned and when you have finished paying for instruction on a regular basis, and the not inconsiderable cost of getting to the airfield, there may not be much left in the kitty.
The bottom line..... "Fly the plane"
It's the best thing I ever did.
Best of luck.
BTF
For you right now its the hands-on flying that's the most important thing so don't buy anything that you don't need. Remember that the flying club are in it to make money so they're hardly likely to say "No" to anything you think you should buy.
However, because of the need to have clear communication with your instructor and deal with the unfamiliar banter from the tower, even at this early stage I would invest in a headset and frankly, as others have said, a basic David Clarke off Ebay would be fine. Personally I wouldn't bother with an ANR headset unless you are planning to fly an AN2 after you get your PPL
Don't buy fuel inspection cups, fancy pilot bags and electronic navigation gizmos. (If the flying club doesn't have a fuel inspection glass on site or in the aircraft, I'd like to know why not.)
You can still end up having the fancy Pilot bag and other things like this as they make excellent gifts for Christmas and Birthdays and even as an excersise 14 present
I think some established pilots forget that many people starting out on the PPL route are strapped for cash. The PPL itself is a fair slice of one's hard earned and when you have finished paying for instruction on a regular basis, and the not inconsiderable cost of getting to the airfield, there may not be much left in the kitty.
The bottom line..... "Fly the plane"
It's the best thing I ever did.
Best of luck.
BTF
Oh Shazbat!
Join Date: Feb 2004
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An Alternative View
This whole "What to buy" question comes down to personal preference I guess, and there is something nice about getting a nice new shiny pile of stuff at the start of your flying career.
However for the sake of balance, maybe for people finding this thread in the archives when they search on the topic of "Starting Learning Flying New Kit" or whatever, I would like to add that you don't need to go out and buy everything on day one.
I took the approach to acquire what I needed as I got around to that part of the course which has meant that I've spread the cost & bought contemporary items. I've also bought some items second hand - Abebooks is good for getting flying books, some of the "2nd hand books" are actually new & being sold off by wholesale operations.
This has also spared me a couple of problems: Had I bought a new headset at the start of my training, I would now have a problem as it wouldn't fit in the intercom on the aircraft that I have bought a share in. Similarly, I was able to take advantage of a new Air Law book as it came out (I'm learning on the dark side, the "M" word, and we have our own Air Law book now).
PompeyPaul, I have to ask.....
When you start? Surely you save that for the day you pass your GFT?
However for the sake of balance, maybe for people finding this thread in the archives when they search on the topic of "Starting Learning Flying New Kit" or whatever, I would like to add that you don't need to go out and buy everything on day one.
I took the approach to acquire what I needed as I got around to that part of the course which has meant that I've spread the cost & bought contemporary items. I've also bought some items second hand - Abebooks is good for getting flying books, some of the "2nd hand books" are actually new & being sold off by wholesale operations.
This has also spared me a couple of problems: Had I bought a new headset at the start of my training, I would now have a problem as it wouldn't fit in the intercom on the aircraft that I have bought a share in. Similarly, I was able to take advantage of a new Air Law book as it came out (I'm learning on the dark side, the "M" word, and we have our own Air Law book now).
PompeyPaul, I have to ask.....
Watch
Join Date: Feb 2007
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Just for reference, take a look at what your instructor is bringing for your flight lesson. He is Pilot In Command and has the legal responsibility for flying and navigating the aircraft.
You'll probably find that he brings the following:
- A headset
- A kneeboard containing his license, a recent map of the area, some blank pieces of paper, a pen, maybe a checklist or two and maybe a few VFR approach plates. Maybe not even a kneeboard, map and checklists if he has checked that you have those.
- Spare glasses if required by his medical
- A watch (not all aircraft have clocks on board)
So you can conclude that that's the bare minimum - and a headset is something you can borrow. Anything else is extra and not legally required to fly the plane.
Flight planning, PPL style, requires some extra stuff which can stay on the ground: a whizz wheel, a ruler marked in nm (and flight time if you can find them, would be handy) and a square protractor. Personally I have put these in my kneeboard as well, but I've never needed them in-flight. Not even for the diversion on my skills test.
You'll probably find that he brings the following:
- A headset
- A kneeboard containing his license, a recent map of the area, some blank pieces of paper, a pen, maybe a checklist or two and maybe a few VFR approach plates. Maybe not even a kneeboard, map and checklists if he has checked that you have those.
- Spare glasses if required by his medical
- A watch (not all aircraft have clocks on board)
So you can conclude that that's the bare minimum - and a headset is something you can borrow. Anything else is extra and not legally required to fly the plane.
Flight planning, PPL style, requires some extra stuff which can stay on the ground: a whizz wheel, a ruler marked in nm (and flight time if you can find them, would be handy) and a square protractor. Personally I have put these in my kneeboard as well, but I've never needed them in-flight. Not even for the diversion on my skills test.
Join Date: May 2008
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when i started i was pretty lucky, the school had a nice deal that if you put down £1000 up front, you get a slightly better hourly rate on the aircraft and all your stuff free. This included
The pilot bag
long ruler
short navigation ruler
wizz wheel
set of afe textbooks
protractor
map
map pens
kneeboard with plogs
The only other thing i bought was a headset.
On day one, all you really need is your brain. As you go along, you need more stuff. Having your own headset is much nicer than using club ones, but everything else can be bought as you go along.
My PPL was quite drawn out, and for about 6 months i just kept looking at my wizz wheel thinking "what is this, what does it do?" until i finally had to use it.
Don't buy it all now unless there's a cheap deal to be had.
The pilot bag
long ruler
short navigation ruler
wizz wheel
set of afe textbooks
protractor
map
map pens
kneeboard with plogs
The only other thing i bought was a headset.
On day one, all you really need is your brain. As you go along, you need more stuff. Having your own headset is much nicer than using club ones, but everything else can be bought as you go along.
My PPL was quite drawn out, and for about 6 months i just kept looking at my wizz wheel thinking "what is this, what does it do?" until i finally had to use it.
Don't buy it all now unless there's a cheap deal to be had.
