In article . net,
Gerald Sylvester wrote:

So a simple question......what items did you find helpful for
IFR training? This is in regards to books (my instructor recommended
Gleim, a book by Dugan (?), and the Jeppeson book), foggles (brands?),
timers, anything and everything. I'm definitely more into quality
than quantity. I'd rather spend an extra money and get best,
easiest and especially the safest.

Cockpit organization is something you have to develop for yourself.
Everyone does the same things, but in a little different way. The trick
is to avoid and eliminate clutter.
Here are some of the "tools" I have found useful...

- Lapboard. A place to hold current charts, notepad, possible approach
plates to be needed.

- Notepad. Purchase a bundle of the smaller 4x6 pads from an office
supply store. You will be doing alot of writing in a small space.
Attach to lapboard and/or kneeboard.

- Timer. A good digital stopwatch/timer with big numbers and
backlighting. Ability to set the mmss for an approach or hold; count
up/count down; time between waypoints, etc.

- Vision limiting device. Foggles, hood, visor? Try before buying. Find
what is comfortable for you. If you wear glasses, there are clip on
Foggles (this is what I use).

- Headset with boom microphone and PTT. If you don't already have one,
get one.

- Portable Intercom. If the airplanes you fly don't have one builtin,
get one. You want to be able to communicate with your instructor
clearly.

- Portable GPS. Unless your aircraft is equipped with an IFR certified
GPS, the portable is a real world situational awareness device.
Non-precision approaches do not provide the distance to the airport and
groundspeed. If you have a strong tailwind, you may overshoot the
airport before the time expires.

- Handheld Comm Radio. Backup in the event of aircraft electrical
failure and used to obtain ATIS and clearances prior to engine start.

- Jepps or Government Charts? Jepps are nice but expensive and you have
to keep up with the updates. Goverment charts are cheap, throwaways,
come bound or loose.

- Mechanical pencils. Today's disposable mechanical pencils are very
usefull. The lead breaks, click... click... you are ready to write. I
tie a 18-24 inch string to the pencil and the lapboard. If I drop it,
pull the string, it's back in you hand.

- Greasepencil. My favorite piece of pilot equipment. Heads-up in the
cockpit, write your clearance on the windows where you can see it. A
good cotton cloth (I use a bandanna) wipes it away. Purchase at a
hardware store, can also be used to mark on instrument glass. (You can
even draw on the new moving map displays!)