(Part 3) Top products from r/flying

I feel like I've read everything aviation that is good but a couple of years ago a friend recommended Saggitarius Rising and its one of the best aviation reads I've come across in a long time. Highly recommend.

All the Gann books are great.

Bob Buck is also a favorite of mine, North Star Over My Shoulder is fantastic. Less of a leisure read but Weather Flying is an absolute must for any serious pilot.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh wrote some wonderful flying books also, Listen the Wind and others. She was an amazing writer.

Malcom Gladwell wrote a splendid essay on the difference between choking and panicking. Choking is when you overthink things you used to do instinctively and begin to stumble. Panicking is if you're underprepared and are stumbling on the unfamiliarity of a situation and lack of knowledge.

There's already a lot of good advice here, but I'm going to add that you should consider reducing cognitive effort, increasing familiarity and situational awareness so you can get past all of the conscious overthinking, start being more prepared and get "in the zone" :

___
Leave all your flying crap in the car if you're just flying the pattern - documents and a set of headphones. You don't need an E-6B to make left hand turns. Do throw in an airport diagram if it's a complicated place. Bring water.

The next part is building familiarity and situational awareness:

Static Practice:

Spend "cheap time" practicing simpler things. You can find a picture of your panel online, no matter what you're flying. Spend ten minutes over breakfast every day for two weeks challenging yourself to go through the pre-start & post-start checklist. Where's the oil temperature gauge? Vacuum gauge? Fuel pump switch? The next time you get into the cockpit, you'll almost be able to find this stuff by touch.

Dynamic Practice:

If you can, spend "low risk" time playing with a PC "flight simulator" (not an actual training aide, as they'll tell you endlessly). A CH yoke plus the program (XPlane is great, MS Flight Simulator X is good...and cheap) can set you back $150, but you can then work with a virtual panel, do power off landings, follow a VOR etc. etc. to build instinct around it. None of this will simulate the dynamic environment in an airplane - turbulence, noise, heat/cold - but you'll find yourself holding altitude easily and using the VOR without a lot of deliberation. Bonus: You can practice "the impossible turn" (engine failure at 300' AGL and trying to reverse course onto the runway) and see what really happens. Then you can practice what you SHOULD be doing if that happens.

Radio stuff:

Think through the radio procedure to get VFR clearance at a Class C airport (contact delivery, CRAFT, Readback, Ground, Taxi, Tower, Clearance, Departure). Sounds impossible if you don't do it much, but a good handbook will talk you through it. Go through it over lunch.

Maps:

Get a paper map (remember those?) and stick it in your pocket -- it doesn't even have to be current. You can practice what all those funny symbols and labels mean. Then use it for gift wrap later.

Driving:

Driving? Pilots never practice anything in the car, but they should. Horizon scan? Instruments? How much fuel do you have? What's the oil pressure? What is that pedestrian going to do? What is your heat setting? You'll be a better pilot and since what you're really doing is developing more situational awareness, you'll be a better driver too. Just don't try to use the rudder pedals.

Airport downtime:

Will they let you just sit in the cockpit on the ground with the engine off for a half-hour once in a while? Maybe in a plane that's waiting for parts in the service hangar? Then you really can run through the checklists and touch the switches.

Bottom line:

Commit non-flying time and resources to building experience and familiarity, and your flight hours will become more "natural" and you'll have less hesitation and your fear will be reduced to a healthy level of caution. The bonus is that you'll get more out of those expensive flight hours - honing the stuff that can only be done in the air instead of wondering where the master radio switch is.

Lots of questions here about headsets, etc. Dad here, have researched this, info incoming!

Age of children - if you can put them in a back seat and have another adult back there with them, it depends on how soon they can wear a headset. Every baby is different.

Headsets. For the little babies, this is the toughest. We couldn't find any true headset, and looked into simple sound-blocking earmuffs. We tried several brands before landing on small Peltor Sport Earmuffs from https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015V1VX8/ . For babies with larger heads, you can probably start them on short flights at 4 months. For smaller heads, they may need to be 6-12 months for their head to be big enough for a proper seal.

For the older kids, get one of the Sigtronics Youth headsets https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/catalogsearch/result/?q=sigtronics+youth . Durable, and they're not $1000 if they misuse them. I have the S-58Y and they've worked fine. The headbands swap out for adult headbands too, so they can grow with them.

Ages - if you've got an adult to sit with them in back (especially if your audio panel has a pilot isolate button), you can take them at just about any age. My wife rides in back with my little one. I am much more selective about who can ride in front. My own older kids, whom I know real well, I let. EAA wants kids to be at least 8 for Young Eagles, and that's probably as good a guideline as any for other kids.

Get them excited about it before you take them up. My little one likes to watch 5-minute segments from One Six Right with me. We put on our headsets and watch them, and she jabbers about the airplanes. I started her out just letting her hold and feel the headset. I'd show her how I always wore one and waited for her to ask for one too. It only stayed on a few seconds at first, but she wanted to try it briefly every time. With the real little ones, your life will be easier if they are used to thinking about wearing headsets and thinking of planes as exciting things.

The older ones love to watch the GPS. They are interested in how fast we are going, how high up we are, etc.

Keep your climbs and descents shallow. Kids don't know how to clear their ears. I aim for 500FPM max. You don't want them screaming in agony. For the infant/toddler crowd, have them munching on or drinking something during the climbs and descents to help with the ear popping.

Don't be that person that insists "we've gotta make time." When the family wants to stop for a break, you stop for a break. Especially if someone needs to use the bathroom. I bring Travel Johns on longer flights for the males on board. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NV878S My wife has looked at everything on Sporty's and didn't want to try any of their products that claim to work for women, so I got nothin for you there.

Finally, the best compliment you can get as a pilot is when they stay asleep during the landing.

I'm just starting down the PPL journey myself, and here are a few links that have helped me out along the way...


MZeroA Flight Training Jason does a really great job dissecting everything into it's component parts.

Our very own Schteevie may be better known to you as FlightChops and puts together some really great videos about his flight experiences. He's Canadian, and thus super critical of himself, but we won't hold that against him. ;) Seriously though, the amount of humility this guy shows in his videos is awesome and really "grounds" the series. (no pun intended.)

ShareAviation.com is yet-another-resource that a few of the aforementioned pilots are a part of. It's more like a gathering of people, but you can use this as a spring-board to find a wealth of valuable information.

A few books that have also helped me along the way:

FAA Airplane Flying Handbook is a little light on the technical details, but details flight maneuvers you should work on and whatnot. Link goes to Amazon.

FAA's Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is a lot more dense, but dives into a lot more of the mechanical concepts (and math!) of flying. Link goes to Amazon.

I'm going to recommend the Citizen Skyhawk A-T as well.
http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-JY0010-50E-Eco-Drive-Skyhawk-Titanium/dp/B0012IR0U2/ref=pd_sbs_watch_1

It's true what people are saying that he doesn't need an expensive watch for flying, but quite a few men love having cool, expensive watches, and pilots are definitely no exception. So as a gift it's sure to be well received.

I love the way my Citizen looks and as an airline pilot I find the e6b bezel comes in handy now and then.

Buy this book immediately: http://www.amazon.com/Pilots-Handbook-Aeronautical-Knowledge-FAA-H-8083-25A/dp/1619540207/ref=pd_sim_b_7. It pretty much has everything you want to know about all aspects of flight. Great continuous, repeated read.

After you're flying for a bit, right around when you're at solo status (either pre or post XC), you'll want to get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Visualized-Flight-Maneuvers-Handbook-Handbooks/dp/1560275219/ref=pd_sim_b_48. For your PPL license you'll need to demonstrate a number of maneuvers with proficency, and this is a great reference for all of them.

When you're studying for your PPL written, grab this book:http://www.amazon.com/Private-Pilot-Test-Prep-2014/dp/1560279788/ref=pd_sim_b_23. Helped me a ton.

When you're getting ready for your checkride, get this book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1560279494/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1.

Also, get an iPad and Foreflight. While you'll hear a ton from pilots about getting started too early with electronics during your training, the main thing to steer clear of is using it for in-flight navigation and relying on it for GPS. You have to learn dead reckoning, pilotage and old(er) school navigation like VORs. It's great for flight planning and the digital charts are incredible but I still plan out my flights using a paper flight plan. Also, it has a documents section that's just fantastic for downloading good FAA reads like the FAR/AIM, your aircraft's POH and a ton of other downloadable documents.

Love to hear some other suggestions.

I'm the student that he speaks of, but I don't consider myself a rockstar. I just wanted to save as much money as possible so that I had more to fly with after I got my ticket. The biggest key to it was getting the written done before starting any lessons. I had, I think, solid textbook and theoretical understanding of what I was about to start applying practically. Now? Doing fine. Instrument rated, followed the same formula with a different instructor, and it saved me money there too.

For radio work, he recommended a book (I think) before the first lesson called The Pilot's Radio Communications Handbook, link here. That really helped me get a handle on some things, though I was pretty familiar already. I had a scanner as a kid in the Chicago area and could listen to tons of ATC frequencies without issue. Ultimately, I think things just lined up. /u/blackdenton was a great instructor, and I had a blast doing it.

Self Study for the 2017 - On January 10th I got a 93 on my FAA Private Pilot Written test. I have an independent CFI , have done 4 hours of ground school with him, and he endorsed me to do the self study.



I used the following: 

2017 Private Pilot Test Prep Old School paper book (kindle available) $13.36 http://amzn.to/2jwY29A This book gives you 5 full length tests with a code in front of the book on their ASA site. After the test, my review is that this book is the most closely aligned to the new format for 2017. I used it as my overall syllabus and I jumped off of each chapter to other sources.

Sporty's Study Buddy iPhone/iPad Aviation App (Private Pilot) $9.99 - This has the FAA database questions from the old tests that everyone else has on the internet. However, the format is such that you can do flash cards, short quizzes on individual sections of the FAR/AIM, and full timed tests. The graphics suck and are referring to the old FAA supplement book and they are less than clear especially with the map references. Would I get this again? Yes. I would use this for your first practice test to make a self evaluation.

Videos: I found the following free sites to be helpful and the first one to be a necessity:

Cyndy Hollman on Youtube for FREE!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQMrUsKrhTIx94S9JgkFM2w/videos

(I have never met this lady) Cyndy owns what looks like a flight school in South Carolina called Airwolf Aviation Services. What she lacks in animated presentation she makes up in clear and knowledgeable teaching of the fundamentals of flying. Every time I would read and do the quizzes in the ASA book, I would then watch the corresponding video(s) that Cyndy makes and that pairing was exceptional. Don't ever expect her to break out in a joke, ‘cause she wont. I saw her smile once in a video. Once.

Fly8MA.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCWbc38ZLnbvdFiFJKDawCQ

I would go to these guys for my second video to watch after Cyndy. The instructor shows you how to fly and why you are doing it in the cockpit. What I found especially useful was his demonstration of each of the 6pack gauges on a steam cockpit. He takes them out of the dashboard and shows you the inner workings and why they work and what you can do to screw them up. This way, you will never get an instrument question wrong on any test.

MZeroA.com https://www.youtube.com/user/MzeroAFlightTraining

Say what you will there that I have read about Jason, but this guy is solid. Yes, he does come across with his personality as syrup y sweet, but everything he says is good. Late at night while studying, I could not however work with his syrup sweet presentation. He is the opposite of Cyndy Hollman in presentation.

I got airsick doing steep turns and also on a bumpy day when I was starting out, although I never threw up.

As others have said: ginger pills. Got them at walmart. I take one sometimes two before I fly. Haven't felt sick since.

Eat before: I eat peanut butter sandwiches or peanut butter crackers or something filling but not heavy. Also hydrate before as well.

What I haven't seen mentioned yet are called Sea Bands https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001F731N0/ref=psdcmw_3762351_t1_B00820HS1E
They are little wristbands that hold a pressure point on your wrist. You forget you're wearing them. Haven't felt even a little queasy since I tried them, even today which was really hot and bumpy this afternoon. I also only wear one of them but you can use both. I know they are a little dorky looking, but honestly it's better than wearing your breakfast. I was skeptical at first, but honestly I was willing to try anything and I feel like they helped alot. Good luck and try to fly more frequently to get used to flying!

If you can find 8 days on your schedule, do 4 lessons over an 8 day period. Spend as much time in the pattern as possible. There are varying opinions on the merits of early pattern work on this board as I discovered, but you need to have a deep immersion quickly. Put a day between lessons so that your brain can catch up. Then do the globetrotting routine. Watch ALL THE YOUTUBE while you're being flown around. Watch and memorize ALL of Cindy Holman's videos. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0EbtWieMNGzdtQ6fAfAQMiNvxG8F-gX7

Ask your instructor to help you put together a chair flying routine for the pattern. You can fly FOR FREE in the comfort of your hotel room. Feels stupid at first, but it works. Start your script at the ramp, call ground to get taxi clearance, steer with your feet and imagine going to the run-up area. Do the run-up. Hold short of the runway. Everything.

Buy this book and highlight the correct answers: https://www.amazon.com/Private-Pilot-Test-Prep-2018/dp/1619545209/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503585007&sr=8-1&keywords=asa+test+prep+2018

You can do it!!

TC Seaplane Instructors Guide is good for learning the basics required for the rating.

Notes of a Seaplane Instructor is a great resource. This was my go to resource.

Seaplane Operations is great if you want to get technical.

Source- Taught float ratings in BC for 5 years

While not exactly for instrument - I used an oral exam guide from ASA to prepare for my PPL. The guide has practice questions with references to the exact section in FAR/AIM that is applicable to that question. I tabbed each of the pertinent sections and this worked great for the oral exam and made it super easy to look up answers when I wasn't 100% sure. ASA makes an instrument oral exam guide that should work great for you.

​

Instrument Oral Exam guide - https://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Oral-Exam-Guide-Comprehensive/dp/1560277572

I found "Radio Mastery for VFR Pilots" to be incredible for getting started on the radio; Jeff does a great job of putting each lesson in the context of real world scenarios. The workbook is useful reinforcement as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Mastery-VFR-Pilots-Everything/dp/0615723772/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615824234/

Great story!
Wondering if you've ever read "Fate is the Hunter" by Ernest K Gann. It's available on download. It's basically Gann's autobiography from the time he joined American Airlines in the '30s to his retirement, and is packed with fascinating stories and incidents. Your story reminded me of his book.
http://www.amazon.com/FATE-THE-HUNTER-Ernest-Gann/dp/0671636030

What are the required test and inspections of aircraft and equipment to be legal for IFR Flight? Should be 6 things

I might recommend getting Instrument Oral Exam Guide it has tons of questions and answers that are popular for a DPE to ask. My DPE actually uses this book to get all his questions he ask so it was really helpful for me.

When I was doing my training, I used to get motion sickness during steep turns (after a few turns). I ended up buying Sea Bands (http://www.amazon.com/Sea-Band-Wristband-Color-Vary-1-Pair/dp/B001F731N0/) for myself, as well as some generic ginger pills from Whole Foods and it did help me. It's quite possible it was a placebo effect, I won't deny it, but I also don't care, since it helped me get over the motion sickness (I no longer wear them :)

I do keep them in my bag and give them to passengers who are squirmish, and they seem to like it as well. I don't know if I'd spend $90 as per the previous suggestion, but these are $6, so...

I also still keep a box of ginger pills in my flight bag for the same reason.

Wow, I actually agree with PM for once, the original post seems greatly exaggerated. Go up with the instructor one more time, buy one of these and record you flight along with ATC audio and post it so we can hear it.
Recorder https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BOXNSRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Audio Cable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O35/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

y-cable / splitter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Which GoPro do you have? In any case you can find ready made adapters that will get you your radio/intercom audio on the video but they're all way overpriced in my opinion (~$50). You can do it yourself for way cheaper. If you have an older GoPro that has a 3.5mm audio port you can just get something like this and this and you'd be all set. Just run the cable from the splitter into your GoPro mic port (if you don't have a passenger just plug the cable straight into that side for better audio and don't use the splitter). If you have a new GoPro like I do that has the USB mic port you'll need this too.

Full disclosure I haven't had an opportunity to try this yet in the airplane but I see no reason why it wouldn't work perfectly.

Not OP but I have been flying my son since he was 4 months old. He had the light blue pair of Baby Benz earmuffs, but at about a year old they were tight. He is 19 months now and wears the Junior Peltors. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015UX2EK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hope this helps. My son keeps them on all the time and he will wear these until he's ready to be able to talk to me with a real headset.

I posted this on another thread with a similar question.

I just took my PPL written the other day and passed with a 90% (I missed some really easy questions which I’m pissed about). I used Private Pilot Test Prep 2018: Study & Prepare: Pass your test and know what is essential to become a safe, competent pilot from the most trusted source in aviation training (Test Prep series) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1619545209?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf and the sportys app.

I took practice exams from sportys until I was averaging upper 90s. I also went over their test bank 2-3 times.

In the link I posted make sure you only study the ones related to PPL. There are some questions in there you don’t need to know cause they pertain to sport or glider etc. There’s a code at the start of the book that tells you which ones you need to know for each written. The book also comes with the figures in a separate smaller book for reference (it contains the same pictures from the sportis app) which is the exact reference book I was given for my written.

I highly recommend getting the book because it TEACHES you how to do those math problems you’re having trouble with AND you have a physical copy of the references so you can use a plotter and stuff (you can’t really accurately use a plotter on the app or the web version and they also do a shitty job of explaining solutions step by step.


Good luck.

I built an Anki study deck with 800+ cards. Anki uses spaced repetition as a rapid way to load information into long-term memory. For a quick intro, see How to Remember Anything Forever-ish.

I pulled info from the PHAK, AIM, ACS, ASA's Commercial Pilot Exam Guide, Rod Machado videos, and other sources.

Good luck on your checkride. I look forward to reading your write up!

I've been using this for about 2 years now and really like it:

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-JY0010-50E-Eco-Drive-Skyhawk-Titanium/dp/B0012IR0U2/ref=pd_sbs_watch_1

It looks a little big but its Titanium really makes it weigh almost nothing, which is by far one of my favorite features. The dials on the outside is an E6B Flight Computer. Even the model name of it, the Skyhawk, is named after the most widely used trainer aircraft, the Cessna Skyhawk. Its also Citizen Eco Drie, so never needs batteries.

I dream about it too! There was a couple who was formerly in my old flying club who basically saved up, took two months off, and did just that. They wrote a book about it: Fly The Airplane.

If I remember correctly they timed things in the middle of a move so when they did it they didn't have rent or any bills, and net cost was cheaper than one would think.

In the mean time I try to fly when I travel, either through getting checked out locally or now via OpenAirplane if available.

The Sporty's videos look good; a bit more modern in terms of tech than the King School videos, at least from what I can tell.

I have the ASA Test Prep book on order (along with others), so good to hear a recommendation for it.

This was the biggest help for me. Only if you have time, though. I also used Exams4pilots.org.

I use this, with independently switched red and white LEDs: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I4O8BK Only thing I wish it had is a built in clip so I could attach it to a seatbelt or something for effortless retrieval without looking.

Books:

• The Spirit of St. Louis by Charles Lindbergh
  
• Flight of Passage by Rinker Buck - epic flying trip across the country, by two young brothers in a Piper Cub
  
• North Star over My Shoulder by Bob Buck
  
• Wind, Sand, Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
  
  Blogs:
  
  
• Red Feather Pilot Log -- travelogue of cross-country trip from California to Alaska

All these guys with their expensive pilot watches. Try the Timex Expedition Trail. It’s durable and has a digital display(which I use for Zulu time). The bezel can be useful as a quick timer. I am not sure what more could be necessary for a watch.

I like the smaller version of that light. Cheaper too. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000I4O8BK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fate is the Hunter is my all-time favorite.

You might find Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot an entertaining read as well. It covers rules and regulations but does so in a way that no other publication that I know of does.

My friend flew his cub to the lower 48 states and wrote a book about it.

He runs a flight school at KCRG, you should try to connect with him.

Commercial pilot oral guide.

I did not get asked any aerodynamics questions. Know the landing gear and be able to explain a controllable pitch propeller. Also know how to use your e6b. Mine was a 30 minute oral. She asked me what to do if you loose control of the prop, I checked the POH and there was not an emergency procedure for this so we actually looked it up on her computer and read about 2 accidents that happened because of this. Looking it up on her computer took 15 minutes, so half the oral. I had a binder with maintenance, weight and balance, performance, cross country, weather and a few other things and she thanked me for being prepared. It's not a hard checkride and that oral guide will over prepare you for it.

It's tough at that age. I first flew with my daughter around 8 months. We bought a pair of children's peltor earmuffs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015V1VX8/. She wouldn't keep them on so we bought silicone ear plugs the moldable stuff. We put the earplugs on and then the muffs over top. She would still get the muffs off, but the plugs stayed in. Around a year and a half the plugs no longer stayed in, but we managed to convince her to leave the muffs on around then.

This summer at 2.5 years we took some very long trips: Seattle to Los Angeles (KPAE to KVNY) and Seattle to Airventure (KPAE KOSH). So we upgraded her to a children's headset with an aux in port and a cheapy amazon tablet. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003M5O4IY/. By the time of Oshkosh she was handling the headset on her own. She puts it on when we tell her to and takes it off while we're taxiing in.

This helped me a lot https://www.amazon.com/Radio-Mastery-VFR-Pilots-Workbook/dp/0615824234

Wind, Sand and Stars - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
http://www.amazon.com/Wind-Sand-Stars-Antoine-Saint-Exupery/dp/0156027496

Jonathan Livingston Seagull - Richard Bach
http://www.amazon.com/Jonathan-Livingston-Seagull-Richard-Bach/dp/0743278909

I have. I used this book, which includes the FAA Test Booklet. I finished the test in 20 minutes with a 93%. Some questions were identical to the ones in the book because they use the same test booklet.

https://www.amazon.ca/Seaplane-Operations-Techniques-Floatplanes-Amphibians/dp/1560275235

This is the book I read prior to my training. I flew floats for 10 years before moving to the airlines.

A $30 Timex Expedition. I set one of the clocks to UTC. It has a stopwatch for dead reckoning.