New Student Pilot Questions
 

I apologize in advance if I put this in the wrong section.
I will be starting a flight training program at a local community college next year and I was wondering if any of the pilots here could answer some questions that I have. My plan once I get my licenses is to build up the time until I can apply at the airlines. I have emailed the department chair and asked him to send me a copy of the syllabus for the first two classes in hopes that it answers some of my questions before hand.
-Should I look at purchasing an EFB app? If so, can someone recommend an EFB app? I've been told that ForeFlight is the best but I have no experience with it.
-Should I purchase and use a paper logbook or is using an app like LogTen Pro sufficient? Are there any disadvantages to having an electronic only logbook? You are able to print out your logbook from LogTen Pro so you can use it for job applications.
-For headsets I was looking at the David Clark H10-13X which has active noise cancelling. Is this a good headset and how soon should I purchase it when I am doing my training? I'm aware that there are better headsets out there such as the David Clark DC ONE-X and the Bose A20, but all I am worried about is active noise cancelling and I literally couldn't care less about Bluetooth or the auxiliary audio input. However, if the David Clark DC ONE-X or the Bose A20 have better noise cancelling than the David Clark H10-13X then that is something to consider as well.
-Is it still beneficial to learn the E6B flight computer versus getting the electronic version? My understanding is that there are electronic versions of the E6B that are allowed on the tests. I've read several educational resources pertaining to the E6B and I must say it is a great tool to have.
-The school offers a Flight Training Certificate, which I signed up for, and as an Associates of Applied Science in Flight Training. Would going with the Associates Degree in any way help my future career goals? I currently have a both a Bachelors of Science in Business and an Associates of Science in Business so I'm not necessarily looking for another degree, but if it will help my future career goals of becoming a wide body Captain at a major airline than I would consider it as I don't think that I will have to take too many extra classes as my current courses should cover most of what is needed. Also electives are CFI, CFII, and CFI Multi-Engine which I would most likely be doing anyway to build the hours needed.
-What could I expect when taking the medical?
-I would appreciate any tips and tricks that you all have learned along the way.

I'm not a great resource for most of the questions you have, but I can tell you that it probably doesn't make much sense to get an Associates if you already have a Bachelors degree. I assume you are trying to save from 250 hours of flying based on current ATP mins, but I think you would benefit financially, as well as an aviator to just fly the 250 hours instead. You might also benefit from looking into part 141/61 flight schools near you rather than going through the CC as well.

Good luck!

Thanks! I am not necessarily looking to save the 250 hours as mush as I was wondering if it would help in a potential future aviation career. Like you said I would benefit from the 250 hours. The only thing I was thinking of was the CFI, CFII, and CFI Multi-Engine electives which I would most likely be doing anyway to build the hours needed. I looked at a couple of flight schools and I eventually learned that they both handle the flight training for the community college but if I went through the community college I could get student loans for it. That is the only reason that I chose the path that I am most likely taking.

One thing that I have read on here is to get a degree in something other than aviation, in case your aviation career doesn't follow through. I'm not sure (nor can anyone else probably be sure on this forum) what pull an aviation degree has with major airlines, but I would imagine it is minimal. In most cases the "Bachelors Degree" checkbox tells them all they want to know.

Take a look at Sallie Mae as well, as that would allow you to finance outside of a college/university, and might be about the same interest-wise, however you could probably save some money by going through a part 141/61 school.

Probably not, it would depend on the program at the school. Airlines will provide EFB's at no cost (except bottom feeders).

You'll need a paper logbook until you start with 121. After that it will be much easier to go electronic. So I would maintain both paper and ebook from day one, and then phase out the paper once you get into 121.

Get a full-ear ANR for sure, wish I had that back in the piston days. Whatever feels good on your head and fits your budget is fine.

Ask your instructor, however they want you to do it. E6B can be nice in GA because it works without power, and without turning on a device.

Consider the time and cost vs. the benefit of an R-ATP at 1250 hours... that will probably save you 3-4 months of CFI work.

Some majors grant preference for graduates of aviation degree programs, but I don't know how that would apply to an associates.

If you have no health issues, it will be very simple. Be well rested, hydrated, etc. If you wear contacts, ask the doc about that in advance.

I'd look at the medical form right now, and see if you're going to need to check yes to any of the boxes. If so, you'll want to do some research to determine if that history is going to require any tests or documentation. Do that BEFORE you go to take the exam.

Assuming you're too young to need an EKG, but it's probably worth it to ask the AME to do one anyway, just to verify you don't have any issues before you commit. Otherwise your first one will be at age 35.

I don't even know how to find out the statistics on what pull an aviation degree has. But the advice you read about getting a degree in something else is exactly what a recruiter at my local Sheriff's Office said when he gave a presentation to one of my college classes years ago. He said not to get a criminal justice degree because it is useless outside of law enforcement. While I am not sure if that is true it seemed like good advice and I can see the same being true with aviation.
I will check out Sallie Mae as well and compare the prices with going through the community college. The good thing about the community college is that aviation is a "Statewide Program" like nursing and other undermanned fields so they are giving in-county tuition to everyone which helps lower the cost.
Thanks again for your input!

That's what I was thinking. However my reason for wanting an EFB is to check my manual calculations for accuracy. While I currently work in the technology industry (I'm an Assistant Store Manager for at&t) I have a love hate relationship with technology.
Thanks, my plan is to maintain a paper logbook concurrently with an electronic logbook in LogTen Pro so that way I have a backup in real time. If you have any suggestions other than LogTen Pro I would appreciate them.
I saw YouTube videos where they suggest ANR to prevent hearing loss and to make it easier to identify radio calls. I was looking at the David Clark H10-13X because it is a full-ear ANR and doesn't have Bluetooth or auxiliary audio inputs which I will never use. There were some that I saw go for $400 used on eBay so that is within my budget. Are you familiar with the David Clark H10-13X and able to offer input? If you have another recommendation I would appreciate it as well. Also, am I correct in assuming that I will need the dual plug model?
Thanks I will do that! I have an E6B as well as a CPU-26A/P "Computer, Air Navigation, Dead Reckoning" which looks to be identical except for the NSN number. Now if only I can learn the things!
Thanks for the suggestion on that! It looks like the associates will let me work on my CFI, CFII, and CFI-ME as well which should help build time. I saw that the requirements for a R-ATP are "Graduates with a two-year degree in aviation, who have 1250 hours and are 21 years or older." It gave no schools whereas for the Bachelors degree it did. Am I to interpret it to mean that it will apply to me of I go with the Associates Degree?

Thanks for the advice on the medical! I will Google the forms right now. I will be 30 soon so I don't think I will need the EKG right away. However, it was recommended to me in the past that I bypass the Third Class Medical and go straight to the First Class Medical since I want to work for the airlines. Is that good advice?
Thanks again for your input!

Your cost per flight hour at a community college will be a lot higher then an accelerated flight school. If you are a fast learner and highly motivated then I recommend going to an accelerated flight school. Livingston Aviation in Waterloo, IA is a good one.

If you enjoy a classroom learning environment and can afford a few years of limited income then I would go with the community college.

Whether it is an accelerated school or a community college I would try and find one that is based at sleepy Class C or D airport. Pilots who first learn at a towered airport are much more comfortable with talking on the radios then vice versa. If it is a Class B, or a Busy C you will waste a lot of your flight time on the ground and in the air waiting for traffic.

One thing that I think most people overlook when becoming a pilot is opportunity cost. You can spend $50k in a year and go from Private Pilot to CFI, or you can take 5 years to speand $50k and go from Private Pilot to CFI. The odds of dropping out in 5 years is greater then 1 year of training.

For a headset I would get a non noise canceling David Clark. Spend your first 500 hours getting used to the way the engine should sound.

After that, get a Bose X. I have used the David Clark ANR and the Bose X is way better and the same price.

I use logbook pro, because it generates reports that match the way airline apps requires flight time data. Don't know about LTP.

I've onlu used telex 850 (suitable for jets only), and Bose. You do want the dual jack, unless you're training in an airbus.

Needs to be a school approved for that specific program by the FAA. The FAA should have a list, or you can ask specific schools (get it in writing).

Yes, get a 1C to make sure you can hold one. I would recommend an EKG as well, same reason.

Thanks for your input!
I am a fast learner and highly motivated but going through the community college will let me use financial aid.
I don't necessarily like or dislike a classroom learning environment. It honestly depends on the subject.
You're right, the odds of dropping out in 5 years is greater than 1 year. However, my thinking is that I can get into the airlines ahead of the hiring that is supposed to happen and I will be able to have more seniority and a higher pay rate. Is my logic wrong? I value the input of others and that is why I am asking.
Thanks for the recommendation on a non noise canceling David Clark. I have read that their H10-13.4 does a good job at reducing the sound.
You said that you have "used the David Clark ANR and the Bose X is way better and the same price" and I am curious which David Clark are you referring to? Long term I was looking at the David Clark DC ONE-X or the Bose A20 so I was wondering which David Clark were the same price as the Bose.