Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat ........
 

My nearest and dearest are doing their annual trawl for Christmas present lists and instead of the usual shirt and tie combos or initialled hankies three pack I thought that, as I am about to commence groundschool shortly and aim to complete the IR, CPL and MCC before Santa returns next year, I could perhaps refine this year's list somewhat.

I have the usual PPL kit; CRP 1, kneeboard, Pooley's VFR guide etc and will shortly be supplied with the groundschool books, CDs etc from BGS. But I wondered else I may need as I complete these advanced courses?

Apologies to those who despise the very idea of present lists at Christmas; don't worry however - the Hi Karate aftershave set will arrive no matter what I ask for.

Magpie,

You will certainly need a CRP 5 - the CRP 1 doesn't have the full range of features you need.

Az

A pair of compasses (not the thing that points to North, the other one).

Some sharp pencils (I always used one of those propelling ones - much more accurate)

A waste paper bin (for your Hai Karate amongst other mistakes either you or your relatives might make).

Good luck

A World Atlas for Climatology. :D

CRP-5 is a must.

A non-alphanumeric non-programmable scientific calculator would also be handy.

Subscription to the Online Question Database - although it only lasts for 3 months so maybe better off closer to the first exams.

A school geometry set. Although mine cost me £1.49 in Tesco so hardly going to break the bank.

A magnifying glass for those horrible graphs in Performance, but you can't take it to the exam so ignore this item.

Lots of paper. A waste paper bin next to your desk. A few large A4 ring binders, you'll need at least one for the feedback at the brush up course.

Lots of pens... or a lot of refills.

That'll take care of the groundschool side of things.

A huge ruler wouldn't go a miss either.

It has its uses as not only an aid to flight planning and gen nav. But also is very handy for sratching your back when you are studying.

There is also calculators out there like the FX991MS with built in unit conversions. If your good with calculators its saves a bit of time in the exams but if your not just stick to the CRP5

The list stands at:

CRP 5
Pair of compasses
Small forest worth of paper (plus world's largest bin)
Calculator

Although my NOK are not awash with money, I think they are able to stretch a little further. What about equipment for CPL and IR training (Charts etc)? Anything for the MCC? Any miscellaneous books, DVDs?

Suggest the following:

RANT XL - IR training software (excellent)

The Oxford/Met Office Met interactive learning disc - it got some of us through the Met exam - definitely worth the investment

Happy Xmas

A hooker/gigalo as unless you already have a piece of ass the chances of you finding some poon whilst you are doing these exams is slim. The only thing you'll be burying your head in is books. You could of course be lucky and find somebody of the opposite sex/same persuasion on your course who will be equally f@@ked or should i say not f@@ked?

Strongly suggest getting a couple of cartons of Marlboro Lights and a few cases of beer in too... Even if you don't drink or smoke now, you soon will!! :}

Serious suggestion...

Someone suggested RANT, an excellent idea.

However, how about "Elite 8"? It is an IFR simulator, excellent at what it does. The core package is only a few pence short of 90 british notes and well worth the money. However this core package only includes a C172 and Archer.

But it will develop your Instrument scan, especially if you have already learnt the scan during an IMC course or such like.

Its firmly on my wish list for Christmas. I have the yoke but require the rudder pedals.

Another suggestion, if not already suggested, would be the Oxford Meteorology CD. Excellent value for money. Not sure what I would have done with out.

Never have done, never will do. Never even tried it.

Of course I am talking about smoking.

Beer on the other hand is always gratefully consumed... :D

Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiivvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeee GGooooolllllllldddd Riiiiings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a subscription to Flight Magazine


Good for keeping up with the industry

Not a very exciting present but make sure you have a copy of MS Excel.
I used the Bristol online database as a revision tool for my ATPL exams, an absolute must. I used Excel and listed all the questions I got wrong. Using a simple formula it would highlight questions I got wrong twice and scream at me if I got a question wrong 3 times. You can copy the list of question numbers you got wrong into the database and do tests with just those questiuons. Towards the end you don't want to waste time with questions you've been getting right for months.
Alternatively get them to buy you something real nice like a GPS or a holiday that you only get your hands on once the exams are done.

'Elite' is certainly a must have, it will save you a lot of heart-ache and expense in the long-run.

Also, Oxford have just brought out a 'Piston-Engines' CD which I think is their best CD to date.

just ask for 60k that should cover it!!! flighttime