PPL exams
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 65
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From: SE London
PPL exams
Really quickly, what's the best software/book for passing PPL exams? I just want an industry standard author which is known and recommended.
Want to start learning now, get some exams out the way before really cracking on with lessons.
Want to start learning now, get some exams out the way before really cracking on with lessons.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Buckinghamshire
I'm currently using the Air Pilots Manual books (Trevor Thoms) and they are doing the job fine for me.
As well as that I'm using airquiz.com for some practice questions although don't rely on those questions as they are deliberately worded different to the exam questions. I also have a load of practice questions from the PPL confuser and PPL perfector and so far i have passed all my exams 95%+.
As well as that I'm using airquiz.com for some practice questions although don't rely on those questions as they are deliberately worded different to the exam questions. I also have a load of practice questions from the PPL confuser and PPL perfector and so far i have passed all my exams 95%+.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, England
Books
Hi EGKB,
There are two book series in common use. The 'Trevor Thom' series and the 'Jeremy Pratt' series.
I believe Trevor Thom himself died some years ago, so his books have been updated by other authors. However I have found the Thom books to be stogily written and so make for heavy reading, but they do cover the ground.
Personally, I prefer the Jeremy Pratt books, which I find much easier to read.
In particular, I suggest you do not buy a whole series. Buy your books one at a time, because you may find the Pratt book better for one subject and the Thom book better for another.
Good luck!
BP.
There are two book series in common use. The 'Trevor Thom' series and the 'Jeremy Pratt' series.
I believe Trevor Thom himself died some years ago, so his books have been updated by other authors. However I have found the Thom books to be stogily written and so make for heavy reading, but they do cover the ground.
Personally, I prefer the Jeremy Pratt books, which I find much easier to read.
In particular, I suggest you do not buy a whole series. Buy your books one at a time, because you may find the Pratt book better for one subject and the Thom book better for another.
Good luck!
BP.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Rugged Island
I have bought the 7 Trevor Thom books.
My problem is I find it very hard to study! I guess I suffer from chronic procrastination
I just look at the books and say to myself, they are too big, there is no way I will ever be able read through them as it would take a life time.
I am thinking about buying the Confuser as I have heard (club house gossip) that the best way to get your licence is to just memories the answers!
I on the other hand would love to actually understand the stuff but just cant seem to be able motivate myself into opening a book and start reading
My problem is I find it very hard to study! I guess I suffer from chronic procrastination
I just look at the books and say to myself, they are too big, there is no way I will ever be able read through them as it would take a life time.
I am thinking about buying the Confuser as I have heard (club house gossip) that the best way to get your licence is to just memories the answers!
I on the other hand would love to actually understand the stuff but just cant seem to be able motivate myself into opening a book and start reading
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: UK
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, UK
fwjc, don't know if you have any connection with CATS PPL Groundschool, but as an embittered old cynic who also happens to work in the ISP industry I was put off by:
1. The fact that their registration form is hosted on a completely separate domain (https://secure.sworddrawn.net) from the main site
2. They appear to require an inordinate amount of personal information, including my passport number which they say is mandatory
3. There being apparently no validation on their registration form - you can leave all fields blank and click submit and you get a cheery message thanking you for registering
Item #3 suggests a lack of attention to detail which would seem to preclude any possibility that item #2 is likely to be handled securely.
I'd suggest that sticking to the books already mentioned might be a better bet.
1. The fact that their registration form is hosted on a completely separate domain (https://secure.sworddrawn.net) from the main site
2. They appear to require an inordinate amount of personal information, including my passport number which they say is mandatory
3. There being apparently no validation on their registration form - you can leave all fields blank and click submit and you get a cheery message thanking you for registering
Item #3 suggests a lack of attention to detail which would seem to preclude any possibility that item #2 is likely to be handled securely.
I'd suggest that sticking to the books already mentioned might be a better bet.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, England
PPL DVDs
Hi EKJB,
Take a look at: -
Pooleys - Oxford PPL Training Manuals
You will find DVDs for the PPL course there. Pricey, but if you can't cope with the books these are the answer.
Don't use only the confuser, (as has been suggested,) you might pass the exam, but you won't really know the stuff. You really do need to know the stuff.
Regards,
BP.
Take a look at: -
Pooleys - Oxford PPL Training Manuals
You will find DVDs for the PPL course there. Pricey, but if you can't cope with the books these are the answer.
Don't use only the confuser, (as has been suggested,) you might pass the exam, but you won't really know the stuff. You really do need to know the stuff.
Regards,
BP.
PPRuNe FirstOfficer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Surrey, UK
Trevor Thom book rights have been bought by Pooleys and are now known as Air Pilot Manuals I believe.
I use them in conjunction with airquiz and have no complaints. I have passed my first 2 PPL exams so far using the above combination. For MET I have the book and also the CBT, I quite like the CBT it makes study more interesting, but every one has it's own personal choices.
Make sure you learn the subject and not just Q&A's.
I use them in conjunction with airquiz and have no complaints. I have passed my first 2 PPL exams so far using the above combination. For MET I have the book and also the CBT, I quite like the CBT it makes study more interesting, but every one has it's own personal choices.
Make sure you learn the subject and not just Q&A's.
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Southend
I have a mixture of the Trevor Thom/Pooleys and AFE Jeremy Pratt books and I find the Pratt ones easier to digest as they seem to have been written in a more light hearted tone. The substance is the same just the delivery suits me better.
On the down side, they are larger in size and although glossy the low gsm of the paper makes them floppy to hold and difficult to read in the bath
On the down side, they are larger in size and although glossy the low gsm of the paper makes them floppy to hold and difficult to read in the bath
