UK PPL Theory Studying - Alternative Methods?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: In the cockpit
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UK PPL Theory Studying - Alternative Methods?
Hey all
First post here, so please go easy on me!
I’m a new student pilot based in the North East, UK. I have been training since the end of 2021.
I am enjoying my practical training and progressing well, however I’m really struggling with my theory studying.
I’m in my late 20’s now, but as a youngster I scraped through school. I wasn’t trouble, just a bit inattentive and distracted. I probably wasn’t taught in the best way for my preferred way of learning.
I’ve luckily ended up modestly bright, but I still struggle with reading/learning out of books. I often read the same lines over and over as my mind wonders. I’ve never really learnt how to take notes properly and revise them. As such, learning from the Pooley’s books is proving very difficult.
I’m sure the books will become useful once I have a basic knowledge of everything, but reading them without any previous knowledge just overwhelms me.
As such, I was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations for alternative theory learning. Perhaps some interactive websites or apps. Money is not an issue (within reason!) and I’m willing to pay for the right sort of material. Can anyone help?
Apologies if this has been asked before but I’m in a state of panic, worried I’ll never pass the exams.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
GANovice
First post here, so please go easy on me!
I’m a new student pilot based in the North East, UK. I have been training since the end of 2021.
I am enjoying my practical training and progressing well, however I’m really struggling with my theory studying.
I’m in my late 20’s now, but as a youngster I scraped through school. I wasn’t trouble, just a bit inattentive and distracted. I probably wasn’t taught in the best way for my preferred way of learning.
I’ve luckily ended up modestly bright, but I still struggle with reading/learning out of books. I often read the same lines over and over as my mind wonders. I’ve never really learnt how to take notes properly and revise them. As such, learning from the Pooley’s books is proving very difficult.
I’m sure the books will become useful once I have a basic knowledge of everything, but reading them without any previous knowledge just overwhelms me.
As such, I was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations for alternative theory learning. Perhaps some interactive websites or apps. Money is not an issue (within reason!) and I’m willing to pay for the right sort of material. Can anyone help?
Apologies if this has been asked before but I’m in a state of panic, worried I’ll never pass the exams.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
GANovice
Moderator
Welcome GA Novice,
The best way to learn the theory is to "want to know". It's easier to learn the theory if doing so is answering questions that your mind already has, rather than trying to force information into a file cabinet which will not open. Prime your natural inquiry enough that you have questions you really need the answers for, and then read the books for the answers, and you'll recognize and remember the answers, and thus the information much better. There's no point in memorizing a whole bunch of information, without really understanding why, nor how to apply it. Have the reading you do answer your questions.
You can find questions by reading accident reports. Why did the accident occur? What were causes and factors of the accident? (reports are pretty clear to identify them). Ask yourself how that won't happen when you're flying - what will you do to prevent all of those factors? When you have considered factors of meteorology, performance, systems, weight and balance, and handling in adverse surface winds, you'll be well under way! These will show up as factors in accident reports over an over (we pilots don't always learn the first time around!). That should perk your "why?" interest, and make studying more valuable...
I've been flying GA airplanes since 1974, and I can still find something to learn by reading about them!
The best way to learn the theory is to "want to know". It's easier to learn the theory if doing so is answering questions that your mind already has, rather than trying to force information into a file cabinet which will not open. Prime your natural inquiry enough that you have questions you really need the answers for, and then read the books for the answers, and you'll recognize and remember the answers, and thus the information much better. There's no point in memorizing a whole bunch of information, without really understanding why, nor how to apply it. Have the reading you do answer your questions.
You can find questions by reading accident reports. Why did the accident occur? What were causes and factors of the accident? (reports are pretty clear to identify them). Ask yourself how that won't happen when you're flying - what will you do to prevent all of those factors? When you have considered factors of meteorology, performance, systems, weight and balance, and handling in adverse surface winds, you'll be well under way! These will show up as factors in accident reports over an over (we pilots don't always learn the first time around!). That should perk your "why?" interest, and make studying more valuable...
I've been flying GA airplanes since 1974, and I can still find something to learn by reading about them!
Great advice there from Pilot DAR!
I would also advise you to ask an experienced pilot if you could shadow them while they plan/prepare a flight. You'll have to be careful not to distract them, nor to take too much of their time, so it might be best to do this just as an exercise at first.
As they check weather, NOTAMs, prepare the map, calculate weight and balance and fuel/performance, take notes or ask questions directly about what they're doing and what knowledge they are using to interpret and use the information presented. That might point you towards some areas of further study which you might then find easier, as you will have some idea of the practical application of the material.
I would also advise you to ask an experienced pilot if you could shadow them while they plan/prepare a flight. You'll have to be careful not to distract them, nor to take too much of their time, so it might be best to do this just as an exercise at first.
As they check weather, NOTAMs, prepare the map, calculate weight and balance and fuel/performance, take notes or ask questions directly about what they're doing and what knowledge they are using to interpret and use the information presented. That might point you towards some areas of further study which you might then find easier, as you will have some idea of the practical application of the material.
Whilst eckhards suggestion has lots of value you could also pick up bad habits and misinformation. With regard to passing current exams you need focus to what is required. You explain your struggle with great clarity. I think the best way forward is to have one to one tuition when the instructor can shape lessons to you and cater to your individual needs.
Moderator
With regard to passing current exams you need focus to what is required
I think the best way forward is to have one to one tuition when the instructor can shape lessons to you and cater to your individual needs.
The responsibility of the student (and the instructor) is that the sutdent learns to be a competent pilot, not just learn to pass an exam. Take your time, make your mind into a sponge to absorb lots of information (and few bad habits!) don't be in a rush. As you learn more, your growing interest will let you be more curious, and build on that knowledge. You don't have to learn to an ATPL level for a PPL, but you want to be sure that your PPL knowledge is fully rounded to bolster the core knowledge.
I have been hired to do advanced training, to find a few times, that the PPL whom I was training had obviously just scraped through the minimums to a PPL. This might be okay if the instructor/examiner told the freshly minted PPL that they really needed to build time and experience before they progressed deeper into piloting. Instead, they went and bought something expensive and complex, and I was hired to train them in it - to find it was hopeless.
One of the advantages to learning to fly in one's youth may be that simply waiting to be old enough to progress to the next permit/license exam affords a helpful pause, while more learning can bring up skills and knowledge. Some older students have a rush on, thinking that a PPL is an objective. Though it is, it is more a milestone along a much longer period of learning. Having a PPL is not an indication of skill and experience in the big picture, it's a great stepping stone to learning more.
Avoid "learning" from Youtube video instruction, and computer flight simulators, that's how bad habits get ingrained, and have to later be un learned (which is expensive while you're unlearning during flying!). Read authoritative training material, and ask questions of suitably experienced instructors and pilots.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another thing that I found is that as an adult, you've unlearned to "learn". So you need to re-learn how to learn. And that starts by acknowledging that learning is hard work, and needs to be given the proper time and space. It's not something you can do casually without any planning.
Block two or three nights a week in your agenda. Let your family members know that you are studying and are not to be disturbed. Make sure your household chores are done, email and social media have been checked, put your phone and other distractions away. If a non-aviation related thought enters your mind (did I lock up the garage door?) write it down and come back to it once you're done studying.
In that study block, set yourself a realistic goal. Two or three chapters. First read through each chapter quickly: What is this about, what is the central message the author wants to get across? Then start reading things carefully. Make notes and diagrams. After each paragraph or unit, try to summarise for yourself what you just read. Ask yourself questions: Does this make sense? Is this logical? Do I miss information to understand and value what's going on? Why do I need to know this in the first place? If anything is unclear, hit the books again to find that answer. And sometimes the books don't have an answer. In that case, first try to formulate your question as precisely as possible. Then ask it on here or your instructor.
You'll probably find that the first two or three nights of study are hard. But after that you've found the rhythm and learned to learn again. That makes things a lot easier.
Block two or three nights a week in your agenda. Let your family members know that you are studying and are not to be disturbed. Make sure your household chores are done, email and social media have been checked, put your phone and other distractions away. If a non-aviation related thought enters your mind (did I lock up the garage door?) write it down and come back to it once you're done studying.
In that study block, set yourself a realistic goal. Two or three chapters. First read through each chapter quickly: What is this about, what is the central message the author wants to get across? Then start reading things carefully. Make notes and diagrams. After each paragraph or unit, try to summarise for yourself what you just read. Ask yourself questions: Does this make sense? Is this logical? Do I miss information to understand and value what's going on? Why do I need to know this in the first place? If anything is unclear, hit the books again to find that answer. And sometimes the books don't have an answer. In that case, first try to formulate your question as precisely as possible. Then ask it on here or your instructor.
You'll probably find that the first two or three nights of study are hard. But after that you've found the rhythm and learned to learn again. That makes things a lot easier.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Age: 74
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Your instructor will have spent 25 hours of their course learning about different learning styles and how best to help their students. I think a lot of instructors put this to one side and consider that they are only there for the practical flying. Ask your instructor about the different ways of getting the knowledge. There are always rainy days when you can't fly and they ought to be able to sit down with you and go through the stuff. Personally, I don't charge for these 'down time' sessions as I wouldn't have been earning anything anyway but commercial schools might want to charge.
A number of my students rave about Quizaero (I understand other on-line resources are available). I think AOPA have a similar online resource.
TOO
A number of my students rave about Quizaero (I understand other on-line resources are available). I think AOPA have a similar online resource.
TOO
There are always rainy days when you can't fly
I used Quiz Aero as well, people moan about the cost but compare it to the price of a lesson. Building on PilotDAR's and eckhards suggestions, do some practical tasks - look at METARS/TAFS and try and decode them, plan routes on a chart so you have to understand what the symbols are, do practice exams - really identifies the areas you don't understand and utilises your competitive spirit...
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: In the cockpit
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, blown away with the responses. Thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to give such detailed replies. What a great place!
I’ve read each response thoroughly and each one has been so helpful, thank you.
BackPacker in particular summed up perfectly how I feel. I need to learn how to learn again!
I am definitely going to take a little bit of what everyone has said and apply it to my learning. I can block out a few hours a day, I can do a little bit of “shadowing”, and also do some practical tasks myself (decoding METAR’s etc).
I will have a look at AOPA and QuizAero too. When I wrote the post originally that is what I was looking for but I’m now keen to continue with the traditional methods too.
My ultimate goal is to confidently learn as much as I can and be a sensible, well-rounded pilot, so I don’t want to dismiss any possible way of learning, as I’m sure each method can benefit me in different ways.
Thank you again to everyone and I shall keep you updated on my progress.
I’ve read each response thoroughly and each one has been so helpful, thank you.
BackPacker in particular summed up perfectly how I feel. I need to learn how to learn again!
I am definitely going to take a little bit of what everyone has said and apply it to my learning. I can block out a few hours a day, I can do a little bit of “shadowing”, and also do some practical tasks myself (decoding METAR’s etc).
I will have a look at AOPA and QuizAero too. When I wrote the post originally that is what I was looking for but I’m now keen to continue with the traditional methods too.
My ultimate goal is to confidently learn as much as I can and be a sensible, well-rounded pilot, so I don’t want to dismiss any possible way of learning, as I’m sure each method can benefit me in different ways.
Thank you again to everyone and I shall keep you updated on my progress.
The OP seems to be having a particular problem with book learning and I share that. How to overcome that depends to a large extent on our temperament. For example, my wife has a photographic memory and can visualize a page in her mind. I think we probably all have some ability to do that and this means it is important to always use the same written material. For me though, that is not enough and the only way I can reliably remember what I have read is to write it down, time and time again. I try to imagine that I am trying to explain it to another person. It uses a hell of a lot of paper but its worth it. This particularly applies to information which you need to pass the exams but are unlikely to need again.
I was doing this just before my Air Law exam while on a BA flight and it turned out that one of the cabin crew had a PPL and he started to help me.
I was doing this just before my Air Law exam while on a BA flight and it turned out that one of the cabin crew had a PPL and he started to help me.
The op has explained his dilemna clearly.
For many the exams are an obstacle to somehow overcome. Do not be ashamed of studying for the exams because thats how things are. Those who have advanced in higher education know this well. Most will have attended many presentations on exam techique throughout their career. One of my old students - now a Training Captain with a major british airline - always considered a pass mark above the minimum wasted effort. However the pass mark is not a barrier to learning. Exams are only a small sample of knowledge and there is so much more that the instructor should include in the practical flight training.
If your instructor is disinterested in your ground school then find another, they are not right for you. Most instructors, in my experience, who claim they do not charge for groundschool do little of it. Be prepared to pay and expect the best, not just for the exams, of course.
For many the exams are an obstacle to somehow overcome. Do not be ashamed of studying for the exams because thats how things are. Those who have advanced in higher education know this well. Most will have attended many presentations on exam techique throughout their career. One of my old students - now a Training Captain with a major british airline - always considered a pass mark above the minimum wasted effort. However the pass mark is not a barrier to learning. Exams are only a small sample of knowledge and there is so much more that the instructor should include in the practical flight training.
If your instructor is disinterested in your ground school then find another, they are not right for you. Most instructors, in my experience, who claim they do not charge for groundschool do little of it. Be prepared to pay and expect the best, not just for the exams, of course.
Are there practice exams available electronically? 20;years ago I offered my pupils multiple choice Scottish Higher Biology past papers, with instant correction.and some guidance if answer wrong, using a free (at that time) Canadian trial product.
Learning what examiners mean and want is essential.
Learning what examiners mean and want is essential.
