Many thanks again for all the detailed responses! Lots of very helpful advice here.
Milty wrote: Go on, spoil yourself and get a logbook.
Cessna571 wrote:You need a logbook yesterday
Rob P wrote:Gamatech wrote:but I really need a proper log book.
Absolutely
skydriller wrote:Yes, you do. A logbook is your own personal flying diary.
skydriller wrote:If you want to buy something, buy a logbook-...
This has convinced me to pick one up now, rather than waiting for the medical later this month. Another huge factor is that I currently have a couple of flying certificates from trial lessons I completed a few weeks ago, to be used as documentation for my hours accrued thus far. Having certificates lying around is neither organised, efficient, nor very presentable to read back on. I figure at this point the sooner I get a logbook, the better!
skydriller wrote:you can additionally add whatever you want in the comments section so you remember what happened on a flight, forever. I have things such as "first flight with my son!!" and "played intercepts with AdA Helicopter" in mine.
T6Harvard wrote:Get a decent sized notebook or set up a folder on your laptop and write up every lesson within 24 hrs. It's all so vivid at first but believe me you soon forget little details.
I've already got myself a nice sketchbook for precisely this purpose! You're both absolutely right. I've only done one or two lessons, but being able to sketch out diagrams and make notes on the same day has been very helpful. I've heard of some people using GoPros and connecting them to their headset audio for playbacks too, which sounds like a really great idea if one were to have the equipment for it.
lobstaboy wrote:Hiviz ? No, as above, unless your airfield insists. If you do have to wear one then taking it off in the aeroplane is important because they are inflammable. Generally wearing clothes made from natural fibres is to be preferred to synthetics.
Rob P wrote:And please, regardless of what your instructor might do, take the bloody thing off before strapping in.
skydriller wrote:However if you are unlucky enough to fly from somewhere that mandates the damn things, do NOT wear it in the aeroplane!!
TopCat wrote:As for hi vis, I have one (obviously I didn't pay for it, in fact I don't remember where it came from), but I've never used it. Even at airfields where it's supposedly mandated. Never been stopped yet.
That's a great point I hadn't considered before in regards to the synthetic and natural fibres. I'm mostly indifferent to wearing a high viz, but my local airfield does mandate their use. But even if I use one, I'll certainly be taking it off before getting in the plane after these points! (If absolutely nothing else, it can get *really* hot in there. The last thing I'd want is more layers while flying).
Cessna571 wrote:You need the PPL Book 1 (The course book).
You need to read what you are doing before each lesson, and understand it,
Oh, and after your lesson sit in the plane if you can. In fact, get to the airfield as early as you can. Help move them around, help refuel. Help with everything. If someone is cleaning or polishing one, go help. It will all help you.
If your instructor offers you one more circuit, or extra time, ALWAYS say yes.
You cannot fly in your kitchen the following day can you? If you’re in an aircraft, fly!
T6Harvard wrote:You will need the training manual which sets out each lesson.
https://www.flightstore.co.uk/pilot-tra ... zIQAvD_BwE
School will sell you one (they should have already if you are having actual lessons!). As Cessna571 says, read each lesson beforehand AND read it again afterwards.
Some genuinely fantastic advise here. I'm pleased that you said those practices can benefit, because I'd like to think I'd try and do them anyway. It's also good to know that first volume can (broadly) cover lesson plans: I was really hoping to be able to prepare myself properly prior to a lesson, but didn't know how to predict the future and know what was lined up.
Cessna571 wrote:Always smell the avgas when you test it, it smells delicious, don’t drink it. It doesn’t taste as nice as it smells
I've loved the smell of Aviation Fuel since I was a small kid! My grandad used to drive me to the end of the runway at Gatwick during weekends to watch the planes fly over. I could always tell when we were almost there, because that smell would come through the window
They've closed off those roads and approaches now, can't get anywhere near as close without permits these days.
Cessna571 wrote:You can start before your medical you know. You just can’t solo without it.
Oh yes, I'm aware. But I don't want to spend hundreds or thousands of pounds on lessons, only to find out I can't finish what I started. I've had a couple of taster lessons, but now I'd rather just wait for hard confirmation. I'm eagerly anticipating the moment it's done and I can stop saying "if I go through with this course", instead saying "now that I'm doing this course"!
T6Harvard wrote:I was extremely fortunate to see an ad on this forum for a 2ndhand headset at 1/3rd of new price...Check out the school and flying club noticeboard, ask around at the club. They often come up for sale.
ericgreveson wrote:This is probably the most expensive single item listed above, and I still don't have one! I figured that I'd try as many as possible from the school's assortment of spare headsets before deciding which one was right for me, as you can get a lot of circuits in for the price of even a passive headset...
pipvac wrote:...I invested in an ANR headset (middle of the range).
For the time being I plan on using the club's headsets, although I'm not at all experienced enough to make judgement on their quality either way. But more than one person (including an EasyJet captain no less) , has recommended I get my own headset relatively early. I'm not closed off to the idea, but I'd certainly have to read up some more on the pros and cons of doing so.
T6Harvard wrote:Treat yourself to one cheap fippery. ..Oh, sorry, tactical error, leading you to an online store. Resist the goodies!
I saw a cup warmer the other day that said "Trust Me, I'm A *Pilot " with the asterisk reading " *(almost) "
ericgreveson wrote:I did buy the kits! ... These looked expensive at first glance ... after an hour of browsing various PPL equipment websites, eBay etc, I had figured out that half the cost was on the books alone (and I wanted new books since all the secondhand ones were previous editions) and buying the remaining paraphernalia separately would only save me about £10 in total ... it didn't really cost much more than it would have anyway.
This is a contrast to what I've found to be the majority of advice I've found regarding starter kits. It's supremely tantalising as a new student to get one complete package full of everything you may (or may not) need. I can't yet even identify a couple of items bundled in those packages, and have no idea how soon I'd need them (if even at all). I suppose with all that said, the drawback of these bundles isn't necessarily that they're overpriced: Just that you may end up paying for extra items you needn't bother with. My local airfield actually sells their own version of these bundles for a (noticeably) cheaper price compared to the norm. They still include the majority of what they typically include as well. Whether I get one or go down the route of getting things separately remains to be seen, but I'm confident I'd go with my local airfield's offering if I were to elect for a starter bundle.
T6Harvard wrote:The current 1:500 000 chart...Take a look at it. Don't be put off by the clutter / weird symbols. Look at the key and pick a couple of things to look for and remember ... look at what is close to your training area and orientate yourself.
This is something I recently discovered! I'm intrigued by the fact they can be offered based on your local area specifically. It makes total sense when you say it, of course. But as someone who hasn't seen them before, being able to give a focal area before buying one is a great novelty!
RobW wrote:I worried about the medical far more than was necessary before hand.
I strongly suspect I am doing the same, blowing minor dismissible things way out of proportion. Still, better safe than sorry, right?
lobstaboy wrote:why is getting yourself prepared and properly equipped giving into temptation?
I play this scene in my head of getting myself some books, equipment, and resources, only to find that something
unforeseen pops up in the medical and I've wasted my money. Not to mention the bigger disappointment, having already got myself all psyched up and ready to go. I've been doing my best to quell any excitement, until *after* the medical is behind me. Just in case
I've been clear and honest in my applications with no glaring prospects I can foresee causing an issue. Hell, I've even been trying to lose weight this past month or two for no reason beyond "just in case" and to put my mind at ease (Lost 11Lbs!). I don't expect any trouble, it's just that little voice in your head whispering "what if", you know?