What flight computer is good to use for a PPL?

[S-Works]

Personally I never fly without a PLOG of some description. At work we are required to use them. For private flying I just write the required information on the map next to the lines with each leg.

I do however navigate primarily by GPS and I never use the slide rule. I have said MANY times before, there is no place in modern aviation for an archaic error prone device. There are plenty of modern tools for carrying out the required calculations, that are simple, reliable and virtually error free. The triangle of velocities can easily be demonstrated without the need for a slide rule.

The slide rule might appeal to nerds and slide rule collectors, but it does not appeal to the modern generation and is one of the reasons that we fail to attract new blood into aviation and why it is full if 50 plus old farts who pride themselves in being from a generation where there was no other choice. Well wake up and smell the coffee, the modern generation make a passing glance at your youth as something dull in a museum as they head for the cola machine......

[beatnik]

On AndoniP's illustrative example, the planned altitude/FL (2,500') is lower than the Safety Altitude (3,100'). Isn't that the wrong way round - I always understood that the Safety Altitude was the lowest altitude you could safely fly based on obstructions/terrain. You wouldn't plan to fly lower than that would you?

[BackPacker]

the planned altitude/FL (2,500') is lower than the Safety Altitude (3,100'). Isn't that the wrong way round - I always understood that the Safety Altitude was the lowest altitude you could safely fly based on obstructions/terrain. You wouldn't plan to fly lower than that would you?

The Safety Altitude (or whatever it's called - there's a few different names for the same concept) is 1000' above the highest obstacle or 1300' above the highest terrain (which may have an unmarked 299' obstruction on it).

Yes, it's safest to fly above the Safety Altitude at all times, but that's not always possible, mostly due to airspace restrictions.

Plus, the Safety Altitude can be calculated using a few different means but the easiest is to use the number that's printed on the map for every half or full degree of lat/long. That means that a single 1000' obstacle will push the SA upwards by 1000' in an area that's potentially 3600 square nm (but more like 450 square nm for a typical half mil UK map). If you know where the single 1000' obstacle can be found, you can safely fly 1000' lower.

[Tinstaafl]

If you're VFR then published safety altitudes aren't really relevant. You're supposed to be able to see & avoid terrain & obstacles, hence - in part - the VMC criteria. VFR lets you fly much closer to the surface/obstacles than any safety altitude.

As for whiz wheels, I prefer the CR circular types such as Jepps. CR5. No bulky slide to get in the way. Much more portable. It's always in my flight bag although only occasionally used now that nearly all the aircraft I fly are GPS equipped. Used to use it a lot when I flew air ambulance from Shetland.