A year of reading - boosting knowledge?
10-26-2014 | 12:49 PM
#1
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A year of reading - boosting knowledge?
Hi good folks,
So I got my PPL when I was 19 and literally put my license down for about 10 years after logging about 50 hours total time. Now I am 29 and I want to make the sacrifice, save up and complete my commercial license and ratings etc.
In an effort to get back in the knowledge groove, I chromed the internet and literally just purchased about 50 books covering virtually all aspects of flight training, multi, IFR, weather, navigation etc.
Before I get back in the cockpit for refresher work and starting my ratings, I want to take about a year or 14 months perhaps and read these books, because I want to boost my knowledge and get back in the groove.
Instructors and airline crew and flight pros, what do you think about my intention above [i.e. reading lots for about a year]?
So I got my PPL when I was 19 and literally put my license down for about 10 years after logging about 50 hours total time. Now I am 29 and I want to make the sacrifice, save up and complete my commercial license and ratings etc.
In an effort to get back in the knowledge groove, I chromed the internet and literally just purchased about 50 books covering virtually all aspects of flight training, multi, IFR, weather, navigation etc.
Before I get back in the cockpit for refresher work and starting my ratings, I want to take about a year or 14 months perhaps and read these books, because I want to boost my knowledge and get back in the groove.
Instructors and airline crew and flight pros, what do you think about my intention above [i.e. reading lots for about a year]?
10-26-2014 | 01:04 PM
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I thought about that and I accounted for it. Though it is not 100% best compared to to the real thing, I plan for that year to use FSX to apply most of the knowledge that can be applied - e.g. IFR navigation, and aerodynamic simulated practice example stalls and engine failure after takeoff and forced landings due to engine failure etc
10-26-2014 | 01:14 PM
#4
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There is nothing wrong with getting the bookwork done first, and in my opinion it can save you some money. The limiting factor for many students is knowledge. Lots of times, their flight training gets ahead of their knowledge. Then they end up wasting some money trying to learn how a VOR works in flight at $180 an hour instead of reading about it in book for free.
That being said, it can be difficult for some people learn material without being able to apply it. It might end up taking you longer to understand some things just by reading about it, but that is how I did my training post private pilot, and I never had to repeat a lesson and was always ready for my checkride at the FAA minimums. My mantra is to do as much as I can to prepare before I every step foot in the classroom/airplane.
That being said, it can be difficult for some people learn material without being able to apply it. It might end up taking you longer to understand some things just by reading about it, but that is how I did my training post private pilot, and I never had to repeat a lesson and was always ready for my checkride at the FAA minimums. My mantra is to do as much as I can to prepare before I every step foot in the classroom/airplane.
10-26-2014 | 01:22 PM
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2StgTurbine, thanks for your advice. That is spot on! I also back in the day completed my PPL and passed the checkride at the bare minimum. At the time of my PPL I only had virtually 2 textbooks and now I have started a collection of reference books/texts, which I will always have in my library to go back and reference stuff.
I agree, it is always great to always be prepared to save money in the long run and also save time.
I agree, it is always great to always be prepared to save money in the long run and also save time.
10-26-2014 | 01:34 PM
#6
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I think it sounds like a decent idea...if you're the type who can learn from books and videos. Take it as far as you can, maybe even get the written tests out of the way ahead of time; with Sheppard air for example.
Gaining knowledge is never a waste of time, whether you apply it now or later. You need time to save up anyways, right? Make use of it. It all depends on your discipline and ability to learn on your own.
Gaining knowledge is never a waste of time, whether you apply it now or later. You need time to save up anyways, right? Make use of it. It all depends on your discipline and ability to learn on your own.
10-26-2014 | 03:50 PM
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From: Admiral
Do not try to teach yourself instrument flying on flight sim! You'll only wind up teaching yourself bad habbits and incorrect teqnique that you'll spend more money with an instructor trying to reteach you properly.
I say, spend a couple weeks reaquainting yourself with aviation through your books then get some flight time under your belt with an instructor to refresh your decade of inactivity. During that time you'll discover the areas you need more work on, both in terms of flight teqnique and book study.
Good luck!
I say, spend a couple weeks reaquainting yourself with aviation through your books then get some flight time under your belt with an instructor to refresh your decade of inactivity. During that time you'll discover the areas you need more work on, both in terms of flight teqnique and book study.
Good luck!
10-26-2014 | 04:14 PM
#8
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For me, before every new rating/certificate, I read all the required material, then I reread it and made sure I understood everything. Then before each lesson, I would fly it on a computer. So when I got into the actual aircraft, nothing felt new and I could focus on the details. But as stated before, each person learns differently.
While it is possible to learn bad habits on your own, in my experience, you can learn just as many bad habits from a CFI. The takeaway from that is to be flexible.
10-26-2014 | 11:38 PM
#9
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Hi good folks,
So I got my PPL when I was 19 and literally put my license down for about 10 years after logging about 50 hours total time. Now I am 29 and I want to make the sacrifice, save up and complete my commercial license and ratings etc.
In an effort to get back in the knowledge groove, I chromed the internet and literally just purchased about 50 books covering virtually all aspects of flight training, multi, IFR, weather, navigation etc.
Before I get back in the cockpit for refresher work and starting my ratings, I want to take about a year or 14 months perhaps and read these books, because I want to boost my knowledge and get back in the groove.
Instructors and airline crew and flight pros, what do you think about my intention above [i.e. reading lots for about a year]?
So I got my PPL when I was 19 and literally put my license down for about 10 years after logging about 50 hours total time. Now I am 29 and I want to make the sacrifice, save up and complete my commercial license and ratings etc.
In an effort to get back in the knowledge groove, I chromed the internet and literally just purchased about 50 books covering virtually all aspects of flight training, multi, IFR, weather, navigation etc.
Before I get back in the cockpit for refresher work and starting my ratings, I want to take about a year or 14 months perhaps and read these books, because I want to boost my knowledge and get back in the groove.
Instructors and airline crew and flight pros, what do you think about my intention above [i.e. reading lots for about a year]?
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