For those with zero hours....fyi
 

I drive my wife crazy. When I decide I'm GOING to do something I immerse myself completely. I've read a lot of threads and posts on this forum as well as a lot of info from all over the web. I found some pretty good stuff on the FAA website.....who would've thought :rolleyes: I should've looked there first. I've already started reading the AIM manual. Chapter 1 seems to be mostly about IFR. Not sure I need that yet. Anyway, here is a link to some good info. Hope you find it useful.

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/a...lane_handbook/

Aviation Weather Services Handbook is a plus. I printed it out at the library for free instead of spending 20+ bucks at the pilot shop. :)

That's pretty smart. I think I'll do something similar with some of those manuals. I had my wife bring home one of her student guides from her work. She's an Air Traffic Controller in the Navy and currently teaches ATC (block 1: weather, charts and pubs, etc...) for the Navy. Lucky me.

The Airpane Flying Handbook and Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge are probably the most pertinent for you if you're starting out. Lots of good stuff there that will help when you start flight training.

The freedom of information act is a wonderful thing, isn't it? :)

Definitely those listed above and also the Private Pilot Test Prep (ASA is the one I'm familiar with and is of very high quality). And if you pick up a FAR/AIM (ASA also produces one of those) you will definitely be ahead of the game when you actually start your training which will make it easier to focus on the practical side of things.

Also something you might consider Chief, while I was still enlisted I found a local pilot organization and got with a good CFI that let me sit in on ground lessons for free, sandbag in on lessons, and wash planes for some flight time to help prepare me for attending flight training full time. Also, you might check on your base and any bases near you and see if they have a flight training program. A lot of bases offer reduced rate civilian flight training to military personnel.

Spartan,
There is a local "Navy" flying club but they are only associated with the Navy by name only. They want $795 up front before I even see an airplane. I'm going to a local FBO where an active duty CDR CFI's. It's not that much more than a typical NFC, only about $400 more when all said and done. I would already be flying but I'm in the process of selling my boat. As soon as I sell my boat I'll get started. I'm going to do all of the reading I can and buy the class materials that the CFI wants me to use. I intend on being as ready as one can be for the written test before I even walk through the door. As a matter of fact I wouldn't mind having my written already done if it's at all possible. Thanks for the guidance.

Definitely possible, I believe that your written lasts for up to 24 months after the date you take it. So theoretically you could do all of your ground classes, pass the written and then do your flight training. I would caution somewhat against doing solely book work before attempting your flight training. A lot of the material makes a lot more sense when you see it in action.

Again, my opinion and take it for what it is worth, if you want to hit the books hard and attempt the written before you start flying full time then try to get a flight in once a week or even once every two weeks so you can apply what you're learning and see it in action. This can also be accomplished by 'sand bagging' along on other students flights.