PPL completion
 

I have been doing my PPL for over 18 months now. Logged about 35 hours. Gone Solo. Passed Air Law & Human Performance. Currently doing Nav exercises.

Had a different instructor recently. Said my flying was good, but I needed to know the theory behind it. He is right, but I can't get motivated to do the study. Was thinking of doing the groundschool intensively over a week. Anyone have experience of this?

The instructor pointed out I was too reliant on him and wasn't willing to make the mistakes, again, he is right. Feel I have reached a plateau. Any advice on getting it finished and nailing the exams?

Cheers

Why do you fly? What's your motivation?

If you spent 18 months already and have only done two exams so far, then maybe the PPL is nothing for you, theory-wise, and you should consider doing something else with less theory requirements. Gliding perhaps.

And if you do not feel motivated to study the theory because it doesn't live for you, then you might ask your instructor to do some flying specifically to let the theory come alive. For instance:
- Aircraft technical, aerodynamics: peak performance flying such as aerobatics, short field, high altitude.
- Human behaviour and performance: high altitude flying with oxygen, night flying, instrument flying
- Met: Do some flights in marginal conditions, maybe in anticipation of an IMC rating later on. Look for conditions where an inversion layer is present, fly through it while noting the OAT, look for visibility changes.

I do find most of the subjects interesting and stimulating, just find it very difficult to get time to study which is why I am now considering an intensive course. I also like to learn with someone else, rather than just from books.

Interested in anyones thoughts on intensive courses.

From similar discussions which I have read in the past, I think the main concern with intensive courses is that you don't really learn 'with other people', but simply cram for the exams.

The problem with this approach is that the information isn't retained for very long afterwards - and it is information which will be valuable to you in the future.

You've got what most people consider to be the worst exam out of the way (Air Law), so perhaps it would help if you teamed up with another student from your club - even if it is by phone or e-mail - to get things moving again. Try sticking a card on the club notice board and I'm sure you will find that you are not alone!

My approach was to read the book (Jeremy Pratt's PPL Course in my case) then use a copy of the 'PPL Confuser' to test myself, revise the weak areas, do the tests again and so on until it sinks in and your score is over 80%. Then you can be confident that you will pass the real exam.

As for the practical aspect of flying, we all learn more quickly if there aren't big gaps between lessons, so try and arrange that if you can. In the long run it will also work out cheaper because you aren't having to spend 20 minutes getting back to where you were last time and your confidence will build with the experience.

My advice would be to hammer away at the exams now, whilst the weather is lousy then you'll have a clear run at the practical aspect as spring arrives.


Hope this helps - good luck :ok:

No problems with intensive courses as long as you realise its intensive.

Passing the examinations and having a good practical working knowledge of all aspects of aviation are not related.

The passed examinations are the foundation for the continual process of learning and revising that you must continually do to be 'a good pilot'.

I would also recommend registering on a website called www.airquiz.com

They have a huge database of genuine questions that they use to generate mock theory exams. For a one off £20 you get unlimited attempts for 2 years.

The papers are marked on line and the ones you got wrong are sent to you by email, sometimes with links to CAA or AIS websites.

Like you I enjoy the flying, but find studying again at my age (41) very hard to discipline myself. So I decided to take 3 months off flying during winter to do the theory. I've passed Met and RT Comms theory, doing Human Perfomance next weekend, and then Navigation at the end of Feb before I start flying again - just in time for my first solo nav. Then it'll just be Aircraft General & Flight Planning to do.

I already feel a massive load off my shoulders as I plough through the books while its raining outside! :ok:

Really, don't you think?

I think the exams give you a good foundation upon which to build. The flying aspect reinforces the stuff you've read in the book.

However I still think there's nothing like experience and common sense. :ok:

I said
You said
See any likeness?

:O Only if I look with girl eyes, not "Man Eyes".... :O

I've just realised what you meant - have the exams WITHOUT having the is pointless....

Am I back on track?!

I dont know but it is distance off x 60 divided by distance gone plus, add, distance off x 60 divided by distance to go.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x...irl/PMSL-1.gif

Which we know, cos we've passed Nav.... :D :D :D

(Most young 'uns nowadays probly just look at their GPS... :hmm: )

KC

But dont forget your never lost until the circle of uncertainity is larger than the map you are carrying.

See, you dont learn that stuff in exams

Nice!! Not heard that one before!

My old man used to say 'you learn something new every day'. So there you go.

Trouble is, I think I'm now forgetting more old stuff than I'm learning new.

More seriously, instructors are taught about different learning styles and should be able to adapt to what the student needs. Some instructors think their job is just about the flying and aren't really interested/don't like doing the classroom stuff. It's also very poorly paid at PPL level and some students think it comes free! I'm always pleased to go through relevant technical items
during a flight de-brief but the key part of the word here is 'brief'.

Some schools sell a complete ground studies pack including all study materials and equipment you need for the PPL. This might include unlimited ground school. It might seem expensive all in one go (maybe £600) but when you look at it, it's much more economical than paying for things in dribs and drabs.

TheOddOne

Oh my. I had some room in my flightbag and used to carry the Pilots' Free Flight Atlas (East), covering Europe, SE Asia and Middle East with me. (A bit overambitious perhaps, I know.) Are you saying that with that on board I should never go lost again? Temporarily unsure of position, yes, but never lost? I might want to make room for that in my flightbag again, then.

I've heard another one that I liked, supposedly uttered by an SR-71 Blackbird pilot once: "You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3"

There you are you see, there is merit in short posts!

the books are "boring" I used the Oxford Aviation CD's, makes so much more sense, when you can see, whats trying to be explained, well worth the money

man.... imagine being lost at Mach 3! :eek:

No whiz wheel is gonna get you out of that one, haha!

But the advantage is everyone on the ground knows where you are.

"Quote:
man.... imagine being lost at Mach 3!

But the advantage is everyone on the ground knows where you are. "


...albeit very briefly!

I would assume not. After all, it was a spyplane. Would be a bit daft to give your position away by sound alone, would it?

But can you hear a sonic boom generated at FL600 or higher?

More SR-71 anecdotes:

<Garbled callsign>: Request FL600
<ATC>: Well, XXX, if you can get that high, you can have it.
<SR71, a bit miffed>: We are descending towards FL600, sir.

And of course, this classic: http://fromtheinside.us/thinking/Groundspeed_Check.htm