need advice on ground school book

[party boy]

I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly. If anyone has the
updated version is it the same stuff inside or is it completely re-written
and easy to understand? If that book is out of the question are there any
other titles that a novice could read and have the concepts and topics
explained properly and easy to understand.?

Thanks in advance

[Jeff Shirton]

"party boy" > wrote in message
...

> I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
> updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
> poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.

The latest version isn't any better...

--
Jeff Shirton jshirton at cogeco dot
ca
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below
and smite thee. - William Kershner
Challenge me (Theophilus) for a game of chess at Chessworld.net!

[Slick]

go with Gleims or ASA. Personally I prefer the ASA test prep book.
"party boy" > wrote in message
...
> I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
> updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
> poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly. If anyone has the
> updated version is it the same stuff inside or is it completely re-written
> and easy to understand? If that book is out of the question are there any
> other titles that a novice could read and have the concepts and topics
> explained properly and easy to understand.?
>
> Thanks in advance
>
>



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[[email protected]]

Party Boy
Aviation topics are not always easy to understand no matter how clearly
written. There are a lot of complex subjects to learn, comprehend and
put into practice.
I'm curious, are you a novice or looking for someone else?
If its just test prep, there are several good ones out there. If its
solid and serious basic ground school, you'll be reading more than a
couple of books that each address a segment of aviation required for
good understanding. One of the best I have seen was written by a man
named McCloud in Canada. He compiled it from available information for
his own ground school with his own additions.I used it to get my Canada
commercial license a number of years back. Flying is flying, weather is
weather (with special weather conditions), navigation is navigation,
etc. None of it is easy for some and real easy for others. Most of us
fall someplace in the middle.

[[email protected]]

My ground school used Jeppesen book. We found the book a bit too
simplistic. Here is my learn-to-fly experience

1. Best book (and cheapest book) to prepare for the FAA written exam:
Gleim's FAA Knowledge Test
2. Best 'reference' books for your aviation knowledge: Trevor Thom
Private & Commercial Manual & Trevor Thom Flight Training
3. Best practical book for learning how to fly: Ralph Butcher's Private
Pilot Flight Training Manual (http://www.skyroamers.com)
4. Best book to prepare for the oral exam: ASA Oral Exam Guide -
Private
5. Best learn-to-fly website: http://www.whittsflying.com
6. Best communication book: Say Again,Please: Guide to Radio
Communications by Bob Gardner
7. Best weather books: FAA Aviation Weather & Aviation Weather
Services

[Icebound]

"Jeff Shirton" > wrote in message
...
> "party boy" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
>> updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
>> poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.
>
> The latest version isn't any better...
>
> --

I'm curious.

Can you point a specific section that you find "poorly written and doesn't
explain the topics properly", in the latest version ("Millenium" Edition).

[Jeff Shirton]

"Icebound" > wrote in message
...

>>> I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw a
>>> updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it is
>>> poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.
>>
>> The latest version isn't any better...
>
> I'm curious.
>
> Can you point a specific section that you find "poorly written and doesn't
> explain the topics properly", in the latest version ("Millenium" Edition).

Well, my main reason for responding was the "poorly written" part.
It is dry, *oh* so dry, an absolute chore to read (and I love reading
about aviation). All the instructors at my FBO share the opinion of
the book.

But now that you ask about "doesn't explain...properly", now that
I think about, it seems to me that every time I would read something
in the AIP (Cdn. version of the AIM), and I wanted a clearer explanation,
I'd turn to "From the Ground Up", and find nothing but an exact same
copy of the text, the exact same wording. All they did was lift the exact
text of the AIP into FtGU. They could have at *least* paraphrased,
and added some commentary.

--
Jeff Shirton jshirton at cogeco dot
ca
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Keep thy airspeed up, lest the earth come from below
and smite thee. - William Kershner
Challenge me (Theophilus) for a game of chess at Chessworld.net!

[Icebound]

"Jeff Shirton" > wrote in message
...
> "Icebound" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>>> I have a 1989 copy of From The Ground Up I paid $20 at the time. I saw
>>>> a updated copy for $50. I don't like the 1989 copy I have, I think it
>>>> is poorly written and doesn't explain the topics properly.
>>>
>>> The latest version isn't any better...
>>
>> I'm curious.
>>
>> Can you point a specific section that you find "poorly written and
>> doesn't explain the topics properly", in the latest version ("Millenium"
>> Edition).
>
> Well, my main reason for responding was the "poorly written" part.
> It is dry, *oh* so dry, an absolute chore to read (and I love reading
> about aviation). All the instructors at my FBO share the opinion of
> the book.
>
> But now that you ask about "doesn't explain...properly", now that
> I think about, it seems to me that every time I would read something
> in the AIP (Cdn. version of the AIM), and I wanted a clearer explanation,
> I'd turn to "From the Ground Up", and find nothing but an exact same
> copy of the text, the exact same wording. All they did was lift the exact
> text of the AIP into FtGU. They could have at *least* paraphrased,
> and added some commentary.
>

Well, then you are talking only about FTGU Part II Air Law, and the last 12
pages of part III Weather, about 42 pages.... against basically the first
357 pages of the AIP..

I consider that condensation of the really-important as a pretty *good*
accomplishment, unless there are actual errors.

It's a text. It should be up to the ground-school instructor to provide
commentary and explanation. Unfortunately, I actually found the FTGU text
far more useful at explanation than were the ground-school instructors.
Especially so with respect to the remaining sections on Weather, and the
section on Navigation.

I also have Machado's Private Pilot Handbook, which covers much the same
territory as FTGU, but not applicable in Canada as far as Air Law, of
course. But if you want commentary....
:-)

[Icebound]

"Jeff Shirton" > wrote in message
...
> "Icebound" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> I consider that condensation of the really-important as a pretty *good*
>> accomplishment, unless there are actual errors.
>
> Well, what can I say?
> I'm glad you apparently found it useful, but I found it to be almost a
> complete waste of money.
>
> Of course, I have to wonder why you asked my opinion, since you've
> obviously already formed an opinion of your own. Do you earn a
> commission on the book or something? <g>
>

No, I was just wondering if you knew of any specific errors, or had some
specific sections that you disagreed with, or that you felt needed a huge
improvement. (I guess you would suggest the Air Law section...???)

My opinion was formed based on its usefulness to me during my recent ground
school.

Virtually without any other assistance, and never even cracking the AIP, it
permitted me to learn enough to write and easily pass the PSTAR and the
flight-school's Private Pilot "sample" written. (I haven't yet done the TC
written, but based on the sample results, I am not worried about it). To
me, that meant that FTGU condensation of air law must have touched all the
important points.

The fact that the book may be dry reading does not diminish its value as a
"quick-reference" text for primary students.

Nor does the fact that it is not "the only book you want to read". *Of
course* you want to learn as much as possible from all sources, but if you
do only have ONE book while training in Canada, then this is the one that I
have found, so far...

What are the instructors at your FBO recommending???

[private]

"Icebound" > wrote in message
...
snip
> My opinion was formed based on its usefulness to me during my recent
ground
> school.
>
> Virtually without any other assistance, and never even cracking the AIP,
it
> permitted me to learn enough to write and easily pass the PSTAR and the
> flight-school's Private Pilot "sample" written. (I haven't yet done the
TC
> written, but based on the sample results, I am not worried about it). To
> me, that meant that FTGU condensation of air law must have touched all the
> important points.
>
> The fact that the book may be dry reading does not diminish its value as a
> "quick-reference" text for primary students.
>
> Nor does the fact that it is not "the only book you want to read". *Of
> course* you want to learn as much as possible from all sources, but if you
> do only have ONE book while training in Canada, then this is the one that
I
> have found, so far...


There are three kinds of aviation knowledge. Stuff that impresses TC
or the FAA, stuff that impresses girls at cocktail parties, and stuff that
will keep you from turning an airplane into a crumpled ball of aluminum.
Get as much of the first kind as you need to, get as much of the second kind
as you want to, and get as much of the third kind as you possibly can.

FTGU will provide the stuff that impresses TC but not much of the
rest. FTGU is probably a good exam prep tool. After you finish your basic
training you can pass it on to the next class. For use after training, the
most current AIP is available on the net and is "from the horses mouth" and
for that reason is the best for general reference use. For any regulatory
questions you MUST refer to the current CARS which is the FINAL word on
EVERYTHING, it is also free on the web. These will really impress TC but as
with FTGU will not be sufficient for all the rest.

Hopefully you will outgrow basic texts, and since pilot paperwork is
just a permit/license to learn, I personally find the easiest route to
knowledge is by extensive reading of increasingly advanced texts. Many
excellent advanced texts on just about any aviation subject are available on
the web. YMMV

Blue skies to all.

[Helen Woods]

I used Jeppsen and really loved the book but can't speak for the new one
that is out. I do know they have an excellent weather text out now (a
bit pricy but worth it) that I just bought for a friend.

For my advanced training I used Kershner which I would recomend. He has
a private text out too which is probably just as good. His writing
style is humorous as well as informative so he keeps you reading and
learning rather than falling asleep.

Helen

[Montblack]

("Helen Woods" wrote)
>I used Jeppsen and really loved the book but can't speak for the new one
> that is out. I do know they have an excellent weather text out now (a
> bit pricy but worth it) that I just bought for a friend.


I was happy with my Jeppesen book as well.


Montblack