What to buy first
 

Hiya,

I am just about to begin my PPL course and I was wondering what in your opinion is the best thing to buy first which would be of an aid.

Currently I own:

Full set of the Thom books
N UK VFR chart
Checklist
Kneeboard
CRP-1
Fuel Tester
Couple of measuring devices
PPL Confuser book

So what should it be next? Headset, good pair of sunglasses, or the shirt with 4 stripes :D.

Thanks

Well, the shirt with 4 stripes is pretty vital! :D

Seriously, sounds like you've got it more than covered. Sunglasses might be useful... But if you haven't even started your PPL yet, spending a couple of hundred quid on a headset, when your school will provide you with a perfectly acceptable one, doesn't sound like a good investment. Start training, and once you're post-solo, think about buying a headset if you really feel you need your own one. You never know - you might start your training, and then decide you just don't like the sensations or pressure of flying. You'll say it's unlikely, and you're probably right, but you just can't tell...

FFF
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I'd say that a good pair of sunglasses are vital, but maybe that's just me. You'll need a whizz-wheel too at some point (The PPL uses the CRP-1 - or equivalent - but spend the extra on the CRP-5 now as I assume you're planning on going commercial). Apart from that you've got everything you need - a headset is nice, but not necessary and you might as well have the two hours flying that you could have for the money.

Bit late now, but I personally wouldn't buy books etc. until you need them as they tend to go out of date. In particular, the Confuser seems to be lagging behind the exams (especially in Nav, which I'm working on - it contains questions about LARS services that are no longer there, for example, and doesn't contain Radio Nav. questions which are apparently in the exams). You wont even need Thom book 5 until you start the IMC.

I'd say that a good headset is really important. The Peltor 8006 is the best IMHO :D They r light, have excellent noise attenuation and are really good value for money....way better than DC. I think the sunglasses are neccessary but i value hearing aswell, and it will be a lot more comfortable on your QXC etc if u have a nice headset rather than a crummy club one!!

Your call..

Tom

Cheers

Coloured pens. Lots of 'em. The black OHP type as sold in Smiths in ultra fine, fine and medium. Oh and some meths and a rag.

Best bit of being a pilot. You can as a grown up own a full set of colouring pens without people thinking you some kind of weirdo...

WWW

Buy something that will increase the comfort and minimise the risk of losing your medical.
Therefore, a good pair of sunnies that minimises colour distortion and limits the amount of UV light transmission. They don't have to be expensive.
I would definitely invest in a good, well fitting headset. Your ears are vital and it is very easy to lose the medical because of "deafness". Buy the best one you can get. I have used a David Clark 10-20 for the past 15 years and my hearing is still good. Look for rugged design, good quality components and the ability to be repaired. Many of the so-called cheaper ones can't be.
If you decide not to fly, you can easily sell them.

R200EGNM

Forgive me if I'm stating the very obvious, but have you got a good, accurate stopwatch with a big face that can be read despite engine vibration. Your aircraft may have a clock fitted, but it won't be stoppable for navigation purposes and anyway how do you know it's accurate unless you check it against your watch?
Best regards,

The Casio baby G shock is indestructable AND has a fantastic back light. All those fancy Breitling/Rolex/£1,000+ "instruments" that you see some pilots wearing are exactly useless the first time they are used in a light piston at night (is they ever are).

For headsets I recommend David Clarks. For sunglasses Serengetti Drivers. If your budget stretches then a Garmin GPS with aviation database is a fantastic safety and training tool for you.

WWW

GPS before the PPL nav-exs? And you a former instructor, WWW :)

Be careful investing in a headset............they aren't all compatible and if you rent several different a/c from your school find out what will work with what before shelling out the readies.

PP

WWW
 

;) Sadistic Sod

LF

EVO - gamekeeper turned poacher mate ;)

Long Final - Shhh. I know well enough about the many better options. However; I think its a right of passage to spend a time smelling vaguely like a tramp whilst sporting thumb blisters.. ;)

WWW

What should you buy first?
 

Some flying lessons!

The rest of the junk/toys/tools you can buy as & when you will need them. By then you'll have had the chance to see alternatives & get some idea of what might work in your situation.


PS: My solution to the writing problem: skip the metho/expensive marker pens etc. Use a soft pencil (eg 2B) + eraser & don't get plastic covered charts.

Visual is right, torrchhhh.

However, don't buy an ordinary consumer goods torch, they are far too easily broken and an utter waste of money.

Get something like a 'Maglite' with a high output bulb and a spark proof switch.

Best regards from the pilot with the cat and a pointy hat.

Rated on Mk 1 Broomsticks, (Cat's a flight engineer).