Best products from r/flying

1. I never went to one of the pilot mill schools, so I don't really have an opinion. I did call them once a few years ago to ask about their multi engine rating program - which I believe has since been discontinued as an a la carte option - and the guy on the phone was a prick who seemed to think that a $6,000 multi engine rating was the cheapest I would find and that everyone takes out loans so I should too. That didn't sit well with me at all. Anyways, I have heard good and bad things about them. From what I have heard, you will do better there if you are very self-driven and can put up with sleeping, eating, breathing, and pissing airplanes for 6 or 7 months straight. They don't seem to be too bad of a deal in this hiring environment.
   
   
2. Glass cockpits are just more expensive. Some people will argue that "Everyone is going to glass and to stay competitive you need to know how to use it..." and to that, I say that you can go buy Microsoft Flight Simulator for $30 and you will have glass cockpits in there that are nearly identical to the real deal and you can learn them that way for now. More importantly though, for you Private Pilots License, you need to spend nearly all your time looking outside the airplane. The glass will invite you to stare at it because it is cool and powerful, but that will only hinder your abilities right now. IF you do want to go glass, wait until your instrument rating... and even then I would encourage you to get your IR in an airplane with no glass. It is MUCH easier to go to glass on instruments than to try to figure out how to fly a DME arc on analogue when you learned on glass. Heck, I did my IR training in an airplane with no glass, no GPS, and no distance measuring equipment, so we had to time all of our approaches or use cross radials and beacons. No, that was not in 1960 either - that was in 2015. I didn't care for it at the time but I am much more confident because of it.
   
   
3. All the Private Pilot books located here as well as Stick and Rudder. In that first link you can also find free PDFs of the FAA publications or buy them (which I would personally recommend, as having the physical book is much better).
   
   
4. Other questions would be anything that you are curious about. Let them know your priorities and see if they think you would be a good fit. When you get with an instructor, also let them know your priorities. If they are able to and are decent people, they will try to accommodate you. For example, I told my instructor during PPL training that money was very tight and that I wanted to be as efficient as possible so she told me that she would do what she could to minimize billable hours so long as I showed up 150% ready to go and studied up. Your instructor won't be able to help you with your needs - whatever they are - unless they know about them.
   
   
5. My John Travolta status dream would be to own and fly a battleship gray United 737-500 and I think that is because that was my earliest memory of airplanes, what I grew up on, and what flew over my house as a kid. That color scheme just wins and there is nothing today that even comes close to looking that cool. If I were to have a realistic dream flying job... I am not too sure. I've learned that the specific airplane is not so important. I would rather have good quality of life that involves being home nearly every night (maybe Hawaii/South Pacific/Europe a few times a year) and live somewhere like Central Oregon while being paid well. If I had those requirements met, it doesn't matter what I am flying, though I would prefer a jet of some kind. I think Falcons are cool, as are Globals, CJs, BBJs, and Gulfstreams.

For what it is worth, I had done a good chunk of my PPL work back in 1993/94 and had a very long gap when I started up again in 2014. The first couple hours in the plane/radio were comical, but it only took about four hours before they cut me loose to solo xc again. Once you have your license, you don't lose it - but you do need to do an every other year review with an instructor (or add a rating) so he is due for his biannual review.

They did switch to a plastic license, so have him spend the $2 and fill out the form to get the updated version. The paper license is no longer valid. (do this sooner rather than later)

The medical could be easy, or could be a blocker. If he is taking meds for blood pressure or an array of other FAA issue items, that may prevent him from flying without spending a bunch of money on testing.

Were I him trying to do it cheap...

• I'd look for a place that is doing PPL ground school. My home base ran a 'free if you attended most the sessions' setup. It would be good review for the new airspaces and other things he will need in his biannual review. Of of the King/sporties/etc videos might be worth the $100 or so too.
  
  
• Get a picture of the cockpit he wants to fly in and a copy of the checklists. Be familiar with the procedures and be able to chair fly the maneuvers. Know the core V... numbers for the airplane, fuel burn, weight and balances.
  
  
• If his home field is towered, see if there is a liveatc.net streaming of the radio traffic. I found a copy of Say Again Please was really helpful for getting on the radio too. If there is no tower, a good handheld radio makes a great gift idea.
  
  ... and then schedule time with an instructor to actually fly. Things get expensive when people try to learn/remember these sorts of things while burning 100LL.
  
  One of the biggest changes are the hand held gadgets available to him. An ipad mini/gps with foreflight provides an amazing amount of information for planning and executing a flight. (Another great gift idea) There are some android options too, but one of the best is only available on IOS.

I actually think it's a legit question. Some of us just don't have a few thousand dollars lying around for a bunch of headsets you might use a few times per year. People make it sound like having to wear sub $300 headsets is like being repeatedly punched in the head by an angry Bose salesman. That or they're flying melons around.

On my first flight I wore a ten year old run-down telex headset. It worked, I couldn't have cared less. For flight school I got a $80 off brand headset and it works just fine. I've also flown with a pair of Zulus and A20s, and yes they are very nice, but do I need them? Nah. I totally agree that they can really make a difference if you fly for hours every time you go up, but for a casual VFR idiot like me, I'd much rather spend that money on flying. Then upon getting the certificate someone gifted us an H10, very nice, but since then I've flown passengers with them, the cheapo off-brands, and sometimes even with a borrowed set of A20s, and people were kinda mostly focused on the fact they're being flown around and having a great time, and nobody's really complained about clamping force on headsets.

A friend of mine bought three sets of those for himself and his family, plus a bag of cloth headphone covers so he doesn't have to clean them up every time he's flying in summer. I've flown with them too, they're quite good. And again, IMO "quite good" is good enough for an hour of sightseeing, people will focus on what's going on outside rather than intercom quality or head clamping force.

I also agree that passenger comfort is very important, but then again I reckon you make them much more comfortable by being slow and deliberate, explaining what's going on, prepare them for everything that's happening and will be happening rather than making sure they're wearing the most expensive gear on the market.

I found that Stick and Rudder is a good book on actually flying the plane. There are some technical inaccuracies (I'm an engineer so this bothers me, but others it might not so much) but it is a great for pilotage and helping with getting a feel for the plane. It's also a very good introductory book for flying, nothing too technical, just flying.

You can always study and take your written exam, many people think this should wait till you have some flight experience and that definitely helps, but you could still take it. The FAA manuals linked by /u/theygoup are good and free but boring. Rod Machado's PPL Book has similar information but is a little easier to read and has lots of really corny jokes, only $40 or $60 bucks, I refer to it much more often than the FAA manuals.

Sims could never hold my attention very long but I imagine there is some benefit to them, even if it's just instrument prep.

EDIT: I forgot, get a copy of the FAR/AIM from sporty's or someone (I prefer a print copy) or just refer to the online version. A lot of good information is there

I've seen this gets posted frequently. Here's a high level overview with some specific parts.

You need at least one camera (duh) and a way to get audio. The camera can be gopro or knock off, but you need a sturdy mount like this or this or this.

The easiest way to synch audio is to connect your camera straight in to the audio panel, with a cable like this or doing the "stuff the mic in your ear" trick that was mentioned already.

You could also get a billet mount like this to get some awesome external views and/or a wing strut clamp like this but your battery may not last as long as your flight!

Then head on over to your favorite video software and go at it!

Good luck and share your videos w/ us when you're done awesomeing it up!

Malcom Gladwell wrote a splendid essay on the difference between choking and panicking. Choking is when you overthink things you used to do instinctively and begin to stumble. Panicking is if you're underprepared and are stumbling on the unfamiliarity of a situation and lack of knowledge.

There's already a lot of good advice here, but I'm going to add that you should consider reducing cognitive effort, increasing familiarity and situational awareness so you can get past all of the conscious overthinking, start being more prepared and get "in the zone" :

___
Leave all your flying crap in the car if you're just flying the pattern - documents and a set of headphones. You don't need an E-6B to make left hand turns. Do throw in an airport diagram if it's a complicated place. Bring water.

The next part is building familiarity and situational awareness:

Static Practice:

Spend "cheap time" practicing simpler things. You can find a picture of your panel online, no matter what you're flying. Spend ten minutes over breakfast every day for two weeks challenging yourself to go through the pre-start & post-start checklist. Where's the oil temperature gauge? Vacuum gauge? Fuel pump switch? The next time you get into the cockpit, you'll almost be able to find this stuff by touch.

Dynamic Practice:

If you can, spend "low risk" time playing with a PC "flight simulator" (not an actual training aide, as they'll tell you endlessly). A CH yoke plus the program (XPlane is great, MS Flight Simulator X is good...and cheap) can set you back $150, but you can then work with a virtual panel, do power off landings, follow a VOR etc. etc. to build instinct around it. None of this will simulate the dynamic environment in an airplane - turbulence, noise, heat/cold - but you'll find yourself holding altitude easily and using the VOR without a lot of deliberation. Bonus: You can practice "the impossible turn" (engine failure at 300' AGL and trying to reverse course onto the runway) and see what really happens. Then you can practice what you SHOULD be doing if that happens.

Radio stuff:

Think through the radio procedure to get VFR clearance at a Class C airport (contact delivery, CRAFT, Readback, Ground, Taxi, Tower, Clearance, Departure). Sounds impossible if you don't do it much, but a good handbook will talk you through it. Go through it over lunch.

Maps:

Get a paper map (remember those?) and stick it in your pocket -- it doesn't even have to be current. You can practice what all those funny symbols and labels mean. Then use it for gift wrap later.

Driving:

Driving? Pilots never practice anything in the car, but they should. Horizon scan? Instruments? How much fuel do you have? What's the oil pressure? What is that pedestrian going to do? What is your heat setting? You'll be a better pilot and since what you're really doing is developing more situational awareness, you'll be a better driver too. Just don't try to use the rudder pedals.

Airport downtime:

Will they let you just sit in the cockpit on the ground with the engine off for a half-hour once in a while? Maybe in a plane that's waiting for parts in the service hangar? Then you really can run through the checklists and touch the switches.

Bottom line:

Commit non-flying time and resources to building experience and familiarity, and your flight hours will become more "natural" and you'll have less hesitation and your fear will be reduced to a healthy level of caution. The bonus is that you'll get more out of those expensive flight hours - honing the stuff that can only be done in the air instead of wondering where the master radio switch is.

Here's a few tips that might help you:

1. Self-study, a lot! Use old books and free downloads, view youtube videos on flight training (there's a ton!) and, if possible, get yourself a study partner.
   
2. Join a Part 61 flight school or a flying club. They use older airplanes but cheaper, also, independent CFI's are sometimes more affordable and better tuned to your training.
   
3. If you are going to fly for a long time, get yourself an ANR headset, they are expensive but in the long run they're noble to your ear and they will last a lifetime. If not, then I suggest getting a good PNR headset like this one
   
4. If possible, record your flights with a GoPro or similar, that way you can review your flights better and correct any mistakes you might have and avoid them in the next flight.
   
5. Do a lot of chair flying but I do mean a lot! If you're at the table, you're chair flying! Watching TV? Chair fly!
   
6. This helped me: Do your own checklists especially emergency checklists. Writing and repeating then developed a quicker muscle memory.
   
7. Finally, be a master in weather and weather interpretation. It is paramount for preflight and planning, and some examiners like to grill on it.
   
   Bonus: Instead of eating three times a day, eat two! One less meal per day equals to a gallon of fuel, in a month it equals an hour of a Cessna's 172 wet rent and with the weight loss, your weight and balance sheets will come nicely!
   
   =D

I'm the student that he speaks of, but I don't consider myself a rockstar. I just wanted to save as much money as possible so that I had more to fly with after I got my ticket. The biggest key to it was getting the written done before starting any lessons. I had, I think, solid textbook and theoretical understanding of what I was about to start applying practically. Now? Doing fine. Instrument rated, followed the same formula with a different instructor, and it saved me money there too.

For radio work, he recommended a book (I think) before the first lesson called The Pilot's Radio Communications Handbook, link here. That really helped me get a handle on some things, though I was pretty familiar already. I had a scanner as a kid in the Chicago area and could listen to tons of ATC frequencies without issue. Ultimately, I think things just lined up. /u/blackdenton was a great instructor, and I had a blast doing it.

• Federal Aviation Regulations / Aeronautical Information Manual
  
• Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
  
• Airplane Flying Handbook
  
• Private Pilot Airplane Airmen Certification Standards
  
• Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide
  
  Keep in mind all the information you need to pass is available for free from the FAA. But I like having the books and in the grand scheme of things they're really cheap. The FARs are the regulations you need to know, mostly parts 61 and 91. The AIM has a ton of good information in it as well. All stuff that could show up on your written exam. The PHAK is going to be where a lot of your written material comes from. If you know the information in there forwards and backwards you'll do great.
  
  The ACS is the practical standards to which you'll be judged on the check ride. How close do you need to hold altitude? How close do you need to hold that 45 degree bank angle? All found in the ACS.
  
  The Oral Exam Guide's usefulness will vary based on who gives you your checkride. My DPE literally flipped through his copy of one and picked a few questions out of each section to ask me. If I messed up he stayed in that section longer. If I answered a handful near perfectly that section was done.

I used these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ENU1DQC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1, but any SDR with the case removed would work.


I put them in this project box (though I'd recomend going a little bigger)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0195UP35C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

and then fabricated a bracket that fit snugly into that project box and held each SDR vertically, with their components facing inwards. The SDRs are held in the bracket by holes/slots that fit the USB connector and the antennae connectors. Then drilled vent holes in the project case over the center of that bracket. Build an airpath from one end of the project box to the bottom of the bracket, between the two SDRs, on either end.

Idea being that the heat from the SDRs will cause a natural convection airflow, draw in from the end of the case, into the bracket between the SDRs, and then up and out of the case through the top vent holes.

​

Then just use USB cables to go from your rPI to the SDR box.
I also mounted a GPS on top of the project box, but keep it as far away from the SDRs as possible. Basically put the SDRs at one end, and then the other end will hold the extra length of the antennae cables. and you can put the GPS over that end.

If that is clear as mud I can try to sketch it, let me know.

Annoyingly, that link doesn't work for me because I'm currently in the Bahamas. Assuming that link points to Weather Flying by the Bucks (https://www.amazon.com/Weather-Flying-Fifth-Robert-Buck/dp/0071799729) then yes! Incidentally, the Bucks have had fascinating flying careers. If you yearn for the glory days of general aviation and/or like the history of aviation their other books make for fun reading.

Pretty prepared honestly. If you don't understand something in the ACS, chances are it will be what comes up. I read this book and I think it was super helpful. https://www.amazon.com/Private-Pilot-Oral-Exam-Guide/dp/1619544598

I found that the cellular models were much more expensive and ended up buying the wifi only IPad mini. Which I also recommend over the fullsize. I first had a badelf plug in GPS but when that broke I decided to upgrade to an ADS-B in receiver with GPS.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071HMQY19/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

Combining that with the ipad mini with no cellular is what I would recommend. It has been great for me. Seems like you are in Europe so I'm not sure if that is the way to go over there but if you are in the US this IMO is the best option. But I will say don't buy the badelf plug in GPS. It hangs off the end of the ipad and is gonna break.

​

Edit: However I'll add if money wasn't an issue, I'd buy the brand new ipad mini with cellular. But money is usually always an issue.

From Stick and Rudder by Wolfgang Langewiesche, page 9, published 1944:

> The main fact of all heavier-than-air
> flight is this: the wing keeps the
> airplane up by pushing the air down.
>
> It shoves the air down with its bottom
> surface, and it pulls the air down
> with its top surface; the latter
> action is the more important. But the
> really important thing to understand
> is that the wing, in whatever fashion,
> makes the air go down. In exerting a
> downward force upon the air, the wing
> receives an upward counterforce--by
> the same principle, known as Newton's
> law of action and reaction, which
> makes a gun recoil as it shoves the
> bullet out forward; and which makes
> the nozzle of a fire hose press
> backward heavily against the fireman
> as it shoots out a stream of water
> forward. Air is heavy; sea-level air
> weights about 2 pounds per cubic yard;
> thus, as your wings give a downward
> push to a cubic yard after cubic yard
> of that heavy stuff, they get upward
> reactions that are equally hefty.
>
> That's what keeps an airplane up.
> Newton's law says that, if the wing
> pushes the air down, the air must push
> the wing up. It also puts the same
> thing the other way 'round: if the
> wing is to hold the airplane up in the
> fluid, ever-yielding air, it can do so
> only by pushing the air down. All the
> fancy physics of Bernoulli's Theorem,
> all the highbrow math of the
> circulation theory, all the diagrams
> showing the airflow on a wing--all
> that is only an elaboration and more
> detailed description of just how
> Newton's law fulfills itself--for
> instance, the rather interesting but
> (for the pilot) really quite useless
> observation that the wing does most of
> its downwashing work by suction, with
> its top surface. ...
>
> Thus, if you will forget some of this
> excessive erudition, a wing becomes
> much easier to understand; it is in
> the last analysis nothing but an air
> deflector. It is an inclined plane,
> cleverly curved, to be sure, and
> elaborately streamlined, but still
> essentially an inclined plane. That's,
> after all, why that whole fascinating
> contraption of ours is called an
> air-plane.

Kore Aviation KA-1
$139.00

Pros:

• Cheap!
  
• Excellent headset for a new student.
  
• Great Speaker / Mic Audio Quality
  
• Great Ear Seal
  
  Cons:
  
  
• Not ANR
  
• Basic
  
• Do eventually start clamping
  
  https://www.amazon.com/KORE-AVIATION-KA-1-Aviation-Carrying/dp/B00Y5HLLDY/

I've had this headlamp for a few years and I love it. Has a nice dedicated red light button as long as you can remember which side is which when it's on your head. There's a reason it's the top seller on Amazon

I would also recommend picking up "Stick and Rudder" by Wolfgang Langeweische. Written in the late 30's, but breaks the complexity of aerodynamics and airplane flying down to the basic level and with a great writing style that makes it easy to read.

Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying https://www.amazon.com/dp/0070362408/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_8YJMDbMG8TQC5

There are some pretty good resources on the web for free for college level Intro to Meteorology courses that I used. I don't have any specific links. Search 'Intro to Meteorology'. None of these courses are burdened by the traditional aviation products. You can see what the professor chose for a textbook.

It may help your motivation if you can make weather less abstract. Here is the definitive text that relates weather to flying. https://www.amazon.com/Weather-Flying-Fifth-Robert-Buck/dp/0071799729

Bit of trivia... Robert O. Buck (son of Robert N. Buck) teaches Aviation Weather at Vermont Technical College.

No, the Hero isn't designed for receiving bluetooth audio and the headset isn't designed to send it.

I'm using this cable with a hero 4, and it's supposed to work with a 3+ as well.

Bonus: It has a power input that you can plug into an extra USB battery to get extended recording time.

I use the Dual Electronics XGPS150A, the newer version of the XGPS150 (only change is the power adapter can now support 12-28v). It's $99, really small and portable, connects via Bluetooth, and has a battery life of like 8 hours. Bought it pretty recently and just got to try it out in mid-July -- absolutely thrilled with the performance of the device.

While not exactly for instrument - I used an oral exam guide from ASA to prepare for my PPL. The guide has practice questions with references to the exact section in FAR/AIM that is applicable to that question. I tabbed each of the pertinent sections and this worked great for the oral exam and made it super easy to look up answers when I wasn't 100% sure. ASA makes an instrument oral exam guide that should work great for you.

​

Instrument Oral Exam guide - https://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Oral-Exam-Guide-Comprehensive/dp/1560277572

So for my student training, Flight Gear HP Bi-Fold Kneeboard has been awesome, I haven't even used the pockets once though. I also bought the RAM Mount X-Grip Suction Cup Mount to mount on the side window, which is great for my instrument training. Make sure you can land well with a partially blocked lindbergh reference if you use the side window, or find a position that works. Minimal head movement is obviously the key, but I don't like the idea of a yoke mount. May work fine for you though.

Lastly I like having the potential to use this for having both an ipad on my left leg and an actual piece of paper to write on using the clipboard. With amazon's return policy on everything but the bi-fold kneeboard, I tried out these options without worry and only returned one that is not mentioned here.

Super stable. I use the Joby Suction mount with the GorillaPod Arm. Between that and the digital stabilization in the camera the picture comes out great.

Dual Electronics XGPS150A Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver with Wide Area Augmentation System and Portable Attachment https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006M49G80/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_iQLdBbCDS2HVE

That’s what I have. The Stratux, like the other guy mentioned, is pretty good too if you want ADS-B and such

I'm not sure about this book, but if you're looking for something to help understand the principles and physics of flight, pick up a copy of Stick and Rudder: An Explanation of the Art of Flying It's one heck of a book filled with great information.

I used this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1619544598/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_L8DNAbTCRX32Z

The layout is great, and a non-pilot friend can pick it up and ask questions and let you know if you're right. If you've done your written and studied what you should, this is pretty much all you'll need to be ready.

Bought there for $130 for passengers. They are comfortable and my passenger yesterday didn't have anything bad to say:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y5HLLDY

If you already have certain Bose QuietComfort headphones, you can upgrade these with a UFlyMike microphone. Then your passenger has nice ANR headsets..

I picked up this small kneeboard a few months ago and have been happy with it. I'm learning in an LSA so space is super cramped

[ASA KB-1 VFR Kneeboard] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003455YF4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swfww)

What are the required test and inspections of aircraft and equipment to be legal for IFR Flight? Should be 6 things

I might recommend getting Instrument Oral Exam Guide it has tons of questions and answers that are popular for a DPE to ask. My DPE actually uses this book to get all his questions he ask so it was really helpful for me.

When I was a student pilot I was also very intimidated by flight following, and talking with ATC in general. Since I intended to fly a lot, I figured I should suck it up and work through my fear of sounding stupid on the radio.

Firstly, I found that reading Say Again, Please gave me a good understanding of what radio calls to make and what to expect to hear in a wide variety of scenarios. Being able to anticipate what controllers are likely to say makes it significantly easier to understand it when they do say it. That said, it's worth keeping in mind that different controllers and different areas have different conventions, so you may hear different things as you fly in different areas.

Secondly, I found that practice helps a lot. I started getting flight following on every single flight out of the pattern, and made some longer cross countries.

Thirdly, I found that a better headset made it much easier to understand some instructions from ATC. When flying on a multi-day cross country with a more experienced friend of mine, I found that I wasn't catching frequencies that ATC was giving me, while he was hearing them easily. I initially figured this was due to him having a better idea what to listen for, but when we swapped headsets for a leg (his Bose A20 for my Faro Stealth ANR), suddenly I was able to catch frequencies while he struggled. I bought a Lightspeed Zulu 3 as soon as we were back from the trip, and I've been happy ever since.

This is what I use for my GoPro Hero 4, works great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAQHYRG/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_mH1VDbGGC06K6

Wow, I actually agree with PM for once, the original post seems greatly exaggerated. Go up with the instructor one more time, buy one of these and record you flight along with ATC audio and post it so we can hear it.
Recorder https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BOXNSRY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Audio Cable
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O35/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

y-cable / splitter
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000068O56/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Which GoPro do you have? In any case you can find ready made adapters that will get you your radio/intercom audio on the video but they're all way overpriced in my opinion (~$50). You can do it yourself for way cheaper. If you have an older GoPro that has a 3.5mm audio port you can just get something like this and this and you'd be all set. Just run the cable from the splitter into your GoPro mic port (if you don't have a passenger just plug the cable straight into that side for better audio and don't use the splitter). If you have a new GoPro like I do that has the USB mic port you'll need this too.

Full disclosure I haven't had an opportunity to try this yet in the airplane but I see no reason why it wouldn't work perfectly.

"Say Again, Please" by Bob Gardner is the one I was speaking about.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1619540894

Not familiar with the other one, but it's probably good too. Just make sure you're practicing out-loud, instead of only reading in your head.

I use the Dual XGPS and it works great with ForeFlight on my iPad 3 WiFi. Though I've read it doesn't work above certain flight levels or internationally (can't remember what the exact complaint was but it didn't apply as I'm just a PPL student).

Great battery, 8+ hours, accurate & Bluetooth. Also, cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006M49G80/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_n-piub01QR60H

It really depends what you are connecting to. The newer GoPros ONLY record audio through the USB interface. That makes it pretty much impossible unless you buy an expensive cable. If no GoPro or an older GoPro you can use any cable like this...

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-Cable-CMS110-inch-Adapter/dp/B000068O36/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449143682&sr=8-1&keywords=3mm+to+1%2F4+inch+adapter

I also suggest getting a splitter if you don't want to take up a jack just for audio recording. It will allow you to plug in a headset along with it.

http://www.amazon.com/Hosa-YPP118-Dual-Female-Cable/dp/B000068O56/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449143815&sr=8-1&keywords=1%2F4+splitter

All in all yes its very cheap. The link Haykinson posted is a little overpriced although it contains everything you need.

IDK why everyone thinks you're nuts. The planes I rent infrequently have good cabin light, and holding a flash light in your mouth while trying to look at something or do a checklist while flying feels pretty lame. Hang the lamp around your neck.

​

$15, and has a separate button for red vs. white. I'm pretty happy with it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SJNM6R0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CBJ29C4

I got this headset in June for my PPL training. It was cheap, worked great, and got me through my whole training regimen, including my long XC's.

I gifted myself A20's for finishing my checkride. But I carry those with me for passengers, since they're that good.

Huh, that sounds like the direct to head, then. Foreflight subscription renewed, thanks!

If you don't mind, I've had this Stratux in my wishlist for some time now. Is this all there is to it, or is it recommended to deviate from this type of kit?

my setup is pretty easy:

• I have a Y-Jack that connects to my headset & plugs into the comms port. One wire goes to the headset, the other gets plugged into my audio recorder.
  
  
• I have a 1/4 to 1/8 inch cable that allows the headset to be plugged into my audio recorder.
  
  
• Finally, the audio recorder itself.
  
  I then match the audio to the video in post-production.
  
  

Check out the Radar Contact Podcast and website
http://atccommunication.com/radar-contact-audio-show

Say Again, Please is also a great reference
https://www.amazon.com/Say-Again-Please-Guide-Communications/dp/1560277602

This book is great:

Say Again, Please: Guide to Radio Communications https://www.amazon.com/dp/1619540894/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vTCVCb0EBN1EV

Student pilot here with minimal hours, so take my assessment with a grain of salt. Just got this in the mail from Amazon for my iPad mini. It's adjustable for pretty much any tablet, not just iOS and will fit both full size and small tablets. Tomorrow will be my first flight with it.

http://imgur.com/lmAXIH2
http://imgur.com/Yxwau5X

Pretty much. I use ships power with mine.

Radio's

Antennas

Get a nice case 3D printed

I fly a 172, and I have a ipad air 2 (full size). If you have a mini-ipad, suction mount and yoke mount as probably less intrusive, but for full size ipads they are too intrusive for me. Here's my personal experience:

• Started off with a RAM suction mount and RAM X-Grip. It was nice to have a moving map at eye level. But I didn't like how it would block so much of my view outside. And more than once the suction mount came off while I was flying, which was a big distraction / annoyance.
  
  
• Bought a RAM yoke mount. Maybe it was the weight of the RAM X-Grip mount and ipad case, but it added quite a bit of weight to the yoke. It made aileron controls feel different. On the ground, without a yoke mount, when I turn the yoke left/right, it would stay there. With the mount, when I turn right slightly on the yoke, the weight of the ipad+mount would pull the yoke all the way to 90 degrees. I did a few touch n goes with it and got annoyed at it changing the feel of the flight controls.
  
  
• Decided to give a kneeboard a shot. I dug up my old ASA kneeboard, and my ipad air 2 clipped on to it perfectly. It was pretty much the same size. I miss having the moving map at eye level, but for me it was a worthwhile trade off. As a VFR pilot I should be focused on the outside more anyways.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Y5HLLDY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_sAkSCbADP55P4

These are what I use, they are cheap and work we'll, nice and comfortable

I've found the footage has been very helpful to review my landings and radio communication after my flights!

I have a gopro hero 3+ and a gopro 2. There is a mount on the ceiling of the plane I soloed in (it was put there even before I started training) and it gives a good angle of the cockpit and outside.

I bought a cheap gopro frame mount on ebay for a few bucks so that I can plug the audio input into the camera while it's mounted. Ebay Link.

To record audio I got this cord that can plug into the gopro or even your smartphone to record all cockpit and ATC audio. Amazon Link.

For the other gopro I got a suction cup mount and put it on the passenger window! I got the gopro brand suction mount but I think I'm going to return it because it doesn't have a ball joint for 360 degree rotation.

I liked Say Again Please

Good for learning about radio calls and working with ATC in different kinds of airspace.

They are Ok until you try another one :)


I used one for my first flights and then bought this one (Same price range kind of),
https://www.amazon.com/KORE-AVIATION-KA-1-Aviation-Carrying/dp/B00Y5HLLDY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35IGDS9WTNKKT&keywords=kore+aviation+ka-1&qid=1565808359&s=electronics&sprefix=kore+a%2Celectronics%2C131&sr=1-3


It's way better if you can afford the 50$ diff,
And never, and i say never ! put on the Bose A1, you'll be haunted by it every day.

This is awesome and is all I use now... fits easily in my bag and takes almost no space:

https://www.amazon.com/MyClipKneeboard-Simplest-Tablet-Kneeboard-Universal/dp/B00NUGO78C/ref=pd_sbs_468_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00NUGO78C&pd_rd_r=65GTJY0NXC52N73EE259&pd_rd_w=2IZG5&pd_rd_wg=My1CC&psc=1&refRID=65GTJY0NXC52N73EE259&dpID=41I1FvkAZvL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

I got these for me at the beginning of my training. I'm over 100 hours in them so far and love them very much.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CBJ29C4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Stick and Rudder would go well as a supplement to the PHAK. Cheers!

Thanks!

First of all, (assuming you're in the U.S.) Read the Private Pilot ACS!! It tells you every piece of information that can be covered in the checkride.

Also, buy the Oral Exam Study Guide!!!!!!!!! This book helped me out tremendously! Study that, and if it ever mentions a regulation (it does it a lot), then review that regulation in the FAR/AIM. Also, you really should spend and hour or two studying with your CFI. He can answer any questions you have and also ask you questions in the way your DPE will.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Private-Pilot-Oral-Exam-Guide/dp/1619544598/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536759778&sr=8-1&keywords=private+pilot+oral+exam+guide+2018

http://www.amazon.com/Weather-Flying-Fifth-Robert-Buck/dp/0071799729/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451753477&sr=8-1&keywords=weather+flying

I'm about halfway through it, and it answers a lot of your questions and does it in terms of aviation. Worth a read, IMO. A bit dry, but a lot of useful stuff. I don't have my IR yet, but I imagine I'll probably read it again once I'm done.

My favorite weather book is Weather Flying by the Buck's: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071799729/

Paid site, but I've been a fan of Scott's stuff since he setup shop: https://avwxworkshops.com (If I recollect, you can get a free trial by getting the WeatherSpork app, signing up for a trial within it (not on the website), and then using those credentials on the AxWx site. Could be wrong, its been a while.)

A great book for these kind of questions: http://www.amazon.com/Say-Again-Please-Guide-Communications/dp/1560277602

Can confirm. Gave in and bought the official GoPro suction mount. Works awesome in the PA28.

I have the Joby suction cup now, and the long flexible arm causes too much vibration. Gonna try these to see if they perform better.

https://www.amazon.com/KORE-AVIATION-P1-Aviation-Headset/dp/B01CBJ29C4/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1495402029&sr=8-5&keywords=anr+aviation+headset

what about these?

i mean cheap but with ANR. Don't know much about the company but the people like them.

Here are some links for the product in the above comment for different countries:

Amazon Smile Link: http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040X4PQI


|Country|Link|
|:-----------|:------------|
|UK|amazon.co.uk|
|Spain|amazon.es|
|France|amazon.fr|
|Germany|amazon.de|
|Canada|amazon.ca|
|Italy|amazon.it|




This bot is currently in testing so let me know what you think by voting (or commenting). The thread for feature requests can be found here.

AFAIK iPad Mini 2 and 3 are pretty much the same thing, except the Mini 3 has Touch ID and the Mini 2 does not. Thus, if you were considering the 2 vs. 3, you should just go for the 2. If you were considering the 2 vs 3 vs 4, it should now be down to the 2 vs the 4. If it were me, I'd go for the WiFi Mini 4 and get one of these for $79, which is a lot more dependable and accurate than the built-in GPS, and doesn't rely on a cellular lock to get an initial fix: http://www.amazon.com/Dual-Electronics-XGPS150A-Universal-Bluetooth/dp/B006M49G80/ref=pd_sim_107_4/181-6262862-5258717?ie=UTF8&dpID=51FcZY5%2B5CL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR135%2C160_&refRID=03P84W5BRQXAH5H42JFT

The genuine GoPro suction mount it says it’s rated for 150+mph so it should be safe on the 172 unless you go past VNE!

I fly the DA40 but I'm not currently using an EFB. The issue is probably lap space due to the center stick. I actually can't use a normal sized kneeboard because it interferes with the stick or throttle. So you could use the ipad but keeping it on your lap the whole time probably won't happen.

Instead I took an old ipod exercise arm band, sewed some velcro (loop side) to it and this goes around my right thigh. Then I took a small clip board and put the hook side on the back. This lets me easily use the board when I need it and store it away when not.

Say again please is a useful book on communicating with ATC.

I have this ASA knee board, very simple and t has some good references on the board (like VFR altitudes) which is handy while you're still learning.
ASA KB-1 VFR Kneeboard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003455YF4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2uYlyb311EE2P

Heres the link for anyone interested.

Just use one of the universal knee strap for tablets. they are overpriced for what they are, but work well. I typically use a yoke mount, but before I got it or can't use one I use a strap.

The one I use https://smile.amazon.com/MyClipKneeboard-Simplest-Tablet-Kneeboard-Universal/dp/B00NUGO78C/ref=sr_1_1?crid=EDS2XVYEGX2U&dchild=1&keywords=tablet+kneeboard+strap&psc=1&qid=1572183101&sprefix=tablet+knee%2Caps%2C156&sr=8-1

I decided to get a cheap pair figuring that if they weren't good enough I'd use them as my passenger pair. They work absolutely well enough for my use, I don't have issues with noise, they don't squeeze too much, and they've held up. $99 from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01CBJ29C4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If my CFI were a redditor, I'd have you thank him.

In lieu of that, I'd suggest you get this book. It will teach you a lot about aerodynamics and basic flying skills.

You can do an online ground school like Kings or Sportys and read/study the PHAK and AFH. Maybe get a copy of and read Stick & Rudder.

He was probably referring to something like this that has the VFR flight regs + other reminders on it.

I use the official GoPro suction cup mount

If properly mounted, it's incredibly good at keeping the camera in place. Generally though, I'll wait until I'm over sparsely populated areas before mounting it to the wing, just because I'm paranoid.

I never tether it to the aircraft. I accept that if it gets dislodged, I've lost the camera. I also keep it out on the wing so it's less likely to hit part of the aircraft if it does fall.

You're welcome :-)

In the case of these pilots, I think he was fair. If you haven't read his father's "Stick and Rudder" you might understand where he's coming from.

• http://www.amazon.com/Say-Again-Please-Guide-Communications/dp/1560277602/ref=sr_1_1
  Say Again, Please is Bob Gardner breaking down radio comms in mostly laypeople's terms.
  
  
• http://www.liveatc.net
  LiveATC lets you tune into most towers in the US and listen to actual conversations in real-time. See the archives for prior conversations.
  
  
• http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/pcg/index.htm
  Pilot/Controller Glossary (P/CG) is the FAA document, a subset of the AIM, that has guidelines for radio communication. It's the most rote and most informative of this list.

I've been using these lately and honestly they work just fine. Sound quality is good and the gel cups keep the noise out. They're obviously not going to be as nice as a Bose but for the price you can't go wrong. The low end DC's are basically the same quality but way more expensive. I'd say go for it. Even if you don't like them it's not like you paid that much.

after finding ourselves short a headset occasionally, the wife and I bought a $150 headset (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y5HLLDY/) from Amazon a month ago to leave in the plane for anyone's pax to use (several owners share this 182). I did a flight with them first to see how awful it'd be... the sound quality isn't amazing so I wouldn't put too much stock in the audio-in for music feature, but it's a workable headset and can't go wrong with the price.

I haven't done TW but this is good for all flying, esp stick and rudder https://www.amazon.ca/Stick-Rudder-Explanation-Art-Flying/dp/0070362408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491856814&sr=8-1&keywords=stick+and+rudder

This?

https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Rudder-Explanation-Art-Flying/dp/0070362408

Stick and Rudder

https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Rudder-Explanation-Art-Flying/dp/0070362408/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1481303934&sr=1-1&keywords=Stick+and+rudder

Stick and Rudder: http://www.amazon.com/Stick-Rudder-Explanation-Art-Flying/dp/0070362408

Say Again, Please helped me out quite a bit with a ton of questions I had about radio communications. It also had a lot of other common sense tips unrelated to communications.

100% this! I used the ASA guide by Mike Hayes. Link to amazon here. Go through that whole thing cover to cover. Get someone else to ask you the questions if you can.

Did a little bit more looking into integrating audio for future reference to other redditors if you plan to use your Yi brand camera(s) (or USB Type C connection) inside the cabin (to directly input cables on the camera).

Audio cable: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-110-3-5mm-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O3D/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1458126042&sr=1-2&keywords=1%2F4+inch+to+3.5

Adapter: https://www.amazon.com/Vention-Retractable-Plated-Type-c-Speaker/dp/B078RGBBBW/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1524247294&sr=8-12&keywords=3.5mm+audio+to+usb+type+c


Optional if you plan to use same socket for your mic and for the camera (Splitter): https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-YPP118-Dual-Female-Cable/dp/B000068O56/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1458126160&sr=1-1&keywords=1%2F4+splitter

Forewarning: This is based on my research, I have not tried this yet. But I plan to and will update this thread.

It's a GoPro. The rentals at my school have the clip-in GoPro mounts in the ceilings of all their planes, so it's easy to pop your own camera in and go.

I'm recording the audio using this 1/4 inch TRS to Dual 1/4 inch TRSF Y cable. My headset plugs into one side, I plug this into the other, and connect it to this digital voice recorder.

After flying, I load in the GoPro clips and the audio recording and sync up the sound, then export.

You betcha. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G13RPZS/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?qid=1417391658&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_

http://www.amazon.com/ASA-ASA-KB1-KB-1-VFR-Kneeboard/dp/B003455YF4

MyClipKneeboard - Simplest Tablet Kneeboard - Universal https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NUGO78C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pYFoDb1HH9NZ2

https://www.amazon.com/Suction-GorillaPod-Go-Pros-Action-Cameras/dp/B00O8R79T6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1496185609&sr=8-4&keywords=joby+mount

Keeping your budget in mind, if you can stretch a little on price, get THESE from David Clark.

If you HAVE to stay in the $150-$200 range, then get THESE!

https://www.amazon.com/KORE-AVIATION-KA-1-Aviation-Carrying/dp/B00Y5HLLDY/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8

Is this a good head set ? Thinking of buying one

> Optional if you plan to use same socket for your mic and for the camera (Splitter): https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-YPP118-Dual-Female-Cable/dp/B000068O56/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1458126160&sr=1-1&keywords=1%2F4+splitter

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you'd use the splitter for the headphones, not the mic.

The point about antilock brakes is nonetheless valid. GA aircraft are in too many ways analogous to automobiles of the 1960s (engines, brakes, lack of energy-absorbing passenger zones, mixture/prop/throttle not electronically interconnected, rudder pedals at all, etc, etc). Wolfgang Langewiesche would be so disappointed.

This is the Dual one. The other one mentioned is Bad Elf. The advantage to Dual is that you don't block the port (so you are able to charge it). You also have flexibility in where you place it. The disadvantage is that you need to remember to charge it. Bad Elf will get its power from your device, but this also means your battery drains faster.