Student Pilot equipment

David Megginson nobody wrote:

A clipboard that straps to your leg is nice,
since you won't have to worry about dropping
it. I also keep the pencil tied to it with a string,
so that I can just pull it up again if I drop it. You
probably don't have to worry about one of those
fancy, multi-fold boards -- you just want something
with a leg strap and a spring clip at the top to hold
paper.

I think the first things I bought were a sectional, a TAC, and an Airport
Facilities/Directory.

Tying the pen or pencil with a string to your clipboard is one of the best
pieces of advice (having dropped mine when I needed it with an instructor who
was not about to pick it up!!)!! I *do* like the the "fancy, multi-fold board"
though, because in addition to having the paper to write on, you have the two
side pockets to put things in and clip things to, like a chart, checklists,
etc.

Don't buy anything until after you need it. During your initial lessons,
you don't need anything -- not even a pencil. No flight bag. No handheld
radio. No fancy calculator. Maybe a headset, if the flying school FBO
doesn't provide one. And then, don't go overboard -- buy the minimum, you
won't go deaf working on your PPL. Save your $$$ for instruction.

In a previous article, "Peter Gottlieb" said:
"David Megginson" wrote in message
For flight planning and calculations (when you get tired of the E6B), the
CoPilot program for the Palm Pilot is both excellent and free, and Paul
t's not free, it's $20.

It *is* free. The "trial" version is exactly the same as the "shareware"
version - Laurie did it that way to give you the option of whether you
want to donate or not.

See http://xcski.com/~ptomblin/CoPilot/FAQ.html for details.

--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
"GNU is not Linux - Linux has a kernel that boots" - Chris Thompson

On 25 May 2004 13:20:29 -0700, (John Stevens) wrote:

Headset, logbook, calculator etc.

You will be asked to buy a logbook and calculator, but wait to see
what kind of calculator. I used a whizz wheel (E6B? whatever) but you
might could be expected to go electronic.

I've always used the FBO's/instructor's headset when training. Once
you solo, you might want to have your own--it depends. If I were
training again, I would have bought the headset and a radio as soon as
I soloed. After a close call, I don't like to fly NORDO. But very few
pilots train in Cubs any longer.

Most of your purchases as a student pilot will be training materials.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com

Casey Wilson wrote:

Don't buy anything until after you need it.

If you wait until after you need it, then you won't have it when you need it. Buy it
before you need it.

George Patterson
I childproofed my house, but they *still* get in.

"Bill Denton" wrote in message ...
Isn't there something in the FAR's that requires a student to obtain a
Sporty's catalog and order everything in it before taking their first
lesson?


I'm halfway there, I have the Sporty's catalog. 3 now. With posters of
the C-182 panel.

John Stevens

(John Stevens) wrote in message . com...
I'm a new student pilot (no aviation career plans) and am wondering:
What things should I buy for myself? Headset, logbook, calculator etc.

What makes sense to buy now and what should I wait on until I've flown
a while? What would make my training easier and more productive? Pilot
courses, simulator etc.

Any advice would be apreciated.

John

Thanks to all of you for very useful advice. I'm definitely going to
talk to my instructor first, but I will use this info to supplement.

I'll also check out rec.aviation.student.

John Stevens

(John Stevens) wrote in message . com...
I'm a new student pilot (no aviation career plans) and am wondering:
What things should I buy for myself? Headset, logbook, calculator etc.


I respectfully disagree with all those who say a noise-cancelling
headset should wait for later. If you can really afford it, get it
now.

I found that switching to an ANR headset made it easier to hear ATC,
my instructor, and lessened fatigue from the flight lesson.

Best regards,
Kevin

Kevin Darling wrote:

I respectfully disagree with all those who say a noise-cancelling
headset should wait for later. If you can really afford it, get it
now.

I agree, especially with the prices on some of the Lightspeed models.

George Patterson
I childproofed my house, but they *still* get in.

Kevin Darling wrote:

I respectfully disagree with all those who say a noise-cancelling
headset should wait for later. If you can really afford it, get it
now.

I found that switching to an ANR headset made it easier to hear ATC,
my instructor, and lessened fatigue from the flight lesson.

I found the same thing when I started using foam earplugs under my PNR
headset. Most of the engine noise disappeared, I could hear ATC clearly,
and I was much less tired after flying. I'll probably buy an ANR headset
myself some day, but I don't know if I'd suggest that a student put out that
much money so early on.


All the best,


David