Simviation Forums

Hey everyone,

I'm going to start flight training next Monday or even this week maybe. I'm wondering what type of equipment I'll need. I asked my instructor (who luckily seems to be a very nice guy and looks like we'll fit well together) and he said to start out I really only need some headsets, a kneeboard and a flight bag.

Is that what I should go with? If so, where do you guys know of online that I can get some of these products for a good deal?

Thank you all,

Andy

When I started, I had to buy a kit that included the Jeppesen Private Pilot manual, the Jepp PPL test guide, a copy of the FAR/AIMs, a sectional, a ruler/scale for sectionals, a flight computer, a fuel tester, the short version of the POH for the Cessna 172, and emergency procedures for the 172, all in a handy dandy flight bag.

Similar to this:

For just beginning basic flight training, a headset and logbook is about all you need.  As you proceed into training, a flight bag will come in handy to hold your maps, E6B, and all the other various junk us pilots tend to collect.   ;)  A kneeboard I never really found a use for until working on the instrument rating. 

A good manual - Bill Kershner's 'Private Pilot' or similar.  Look in your local library for 'Stick and Rudder' by Wolfgang Langiewische.

Hey guys,

Thanks for all your input. Here's what I just purchased as per my instructor:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWNX%3AIT

I think I got a pretty good deal there. All that brand new is worth $400+ I'm a college student; I don't have that money right off the bat!

Also, he told me I have to buy King School's Cessna Cleared for Takeoff Kit with the DVDs and everything... another $350. I figured I probably should, since there is a lot to learn from that and from what I hear the instructors at my school don't like to teach much so they can make more money at the end by telling you that you've not learned enough for the check ride... LOL!

Early on, the only thing I had were my PPL book and logbook. As I progressed and started doing longer flights, cross country flights, and night flights, I had purchased the E6B flight computer, plotter, flight bag, FAR/AIM, written text prep book, sectional charts, and kneeboard. I also carried water, flashlight, pens, a notepad, and my point and shoot camera.

I've got an E6B, logbook, headset, flight bag, airport directory, current sectionals, grease pencils, pens, batteries, and a flashlight (with red light). I've also got my dad's Garmin 496, but that's only because the GPS in the plane is not as good. You don't need it. Maybe a POH if it is not already in the plane.

Hey guys,

Thanks for all your input. Here's what I just purchased as per my instructor:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWNX%3AIT

I think I got a pretty good deal there. All that brand new is worth $400+ I'm a college student; I don't have that money right off the bat!

Also, he told me I have to buy King School's Cessna Cleared for Takeoff Kit with the DVDs and everything... another $350. I figured I probably should, since there is a lot to learn from that and from what I hear the instructors at my school don't like to teach much so they can make more money at the end by telling you that you've not learned enough for the check ride... LOL!

Good luck with the King DVDs.  We used to use the VHS version years ago.  They are very thorough and very informitive, if you can stay awake listening to Martha.

I think BFMF's advice is quite pertinent. To start with you need to buy very little in my experience, as a good school will be able to loan just about all you need to you (too late for the headset! ).

Since you're on a student's budget, my advice is, when thinking "flight computer" you think of this:

http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9306



Not this:

http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9343

I still use my cardboard "whiz wheel" that I purchased in 1995. It does everything the electronic one does, but I've never had any of the following problems:
-broken after being sat on/stepped on/dropped
-unusable due to scratched or cracked display
-broken buttons
-failure after immersion in water
-unusable due to dead batteries
-hard to read in direct sunlight

And if it does ever need replacing, it will be a lot cheaper to do so.
The logic behind the electronic ones is that the mechanical E6B is "hard to use", or "confusing", or it's "too slow". this is all nonsense.
First of all, it's important to remember, when you consider "fumbling" with a circular slide rule in flight vs. pushing buttons, that a flight computer usually gets used a lot more before the flight. But with a little practice, the "whiz wheel" becomes ridiculously easy to use in flight... even with one hand, which is quite a trick with a calculator-type E6B.  I can tell you my ETA and estimated fuel burn to the next waypoint with my whiz wheel while the electronic device is still booting. And I can do it with one hand, in turbulence. Any fool who has spent a little time with a whiz wheel can do the same.

Hey Rotty,

I completely agree with you. I haven't used the E6B yet, but there is no way I'm going to use the electronic one. Knowing me anyways, I'll break it.



Today was my first flight. I had control of the flight the entire time except for takeoff and landing (I actually flew the pattern and the approach.) Everything was so natural. I wasn't nervous at all and felt like I knew my surroundings. It was just like flight sim except I was actually in an airplane and it was responding differently. I was able to hold altitude and heading the entire time literally (within 10 degrees/100 ft). I did great on the turns as well; I was able to hold altitude there too and the rollouts were great. Descending and ascending went quite smoothly as well... I couldn't believe how easy it was

Andy,
Great news to hear you're finally beginning your flight training, hope it all goes well for you. Glad you enjoyed your first flight too, its addictive just try and stop, its not easy. Just wondering if you did/have a chance to fly that 172 that has the same paintscheme as my 172 (remember they are twins, built along side each other )? And I would love to see a shot of your aircraft, if possible. 8-)

Good Luck with the rest.

Hey Mitch! I was hoping you'd read this and pitch in!

Sadly, I doubt I'll be flying the twin brother 172 It's an "upgrade" aircraft and I have to pay a lot extra to be able to train in that. I'm flying a nice little 152 for now. After I get my PPL, however, I have two friends who really really want to go up with me and that's when we'll all pitch in and get that 172

Here's a picture of my 152 right now:

http://www.pbflight.com/acdetail.php?RegNum=N6294M

I'll have to get some personal pictures and post them some time!

I wish I was flying a 152 (actually, I wish they had a 170 or 140, but that's another story). It has more character than a 172.

I was thinking you could get that from http://www.amazon.com

as for me I'll start flight training over the summer