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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!

Lots of questions here about headsets, etc. Dad here, have researched this, info incoming!

Age of children - if you can put them in a back seat and have another adult back there with them, it depends on how soon they can wear a headset. Every baby is different.

Headsets. For the little babies, this is the toughest. We couldn't find any true headset, and looked into simple sound-blocking earmuffs. We tried several brands before landing on small Peltor Sport Earmuffs from https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015V1VX8/ . For babies with larger heads, you can probably start them on short flights at 4 months. For smaller heads, they may need to be 6-12 months for their head to be big enough for a proper seal.

For the older kids, get one of the Sigtronics Youth headsets https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/catalogsearch/result/?q=sigtronics+youth . Durable, and they're not $1000 if they misuse them. I have the S-58Y and they've worked fine. The headbands swap out for adult headbands too, so they can grow with them.

Ages - if you've got an adult to sit with them in back (especially if your audio panel has a pilot isolate button), you can take them at just about any age. My wife rides in back with my little one. I am much more selective about who can ride in front. My own older kids, whom I know real well, I let. EAA wants kids to be at least 8 for Young Eagles, and that's probably as good a guideline as any for other kids.

Get them excited about it before you take them up. My little one likes to watch 5-minute segments from One Six Right with me. We put on our headsets and watch them, and she jabbers about the airplanes. I started her out just letting her hold and feel the headset. I'd show her how I always wore one and waited for her to ask for one too. It only stayed on a few seconds at first, but she wanted to try it briefly every time. With the real little ones, your life will be easier if they are used to thinking about wearing headsets and thinking of planes as exciting things.

The older ones love to watch the GPS. They are interested in how fast we are going, how high up we are, etc.

Keep your climbs and descents shallow. Kids don't know how to clear their ears. I aim for 500FPM max. You don't want them screaming in agony. For the infant/toddler crowd, have them munching on or drinking something during the climbs and descents to help with the ear popping.

Don't be that person that insists "we've gotta make time." When the family wants to stop for a break, you stop for a break. Especially if someone needs to use the bathroom. I bring Travel Johns on longer flights for the males on board. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NV878S My wife has looked at everything on Sporty's and didn't want to try any of their products that claim to work for women, so I got nothin for you there.

Finally, the best compliment you can get as a pilot is when they stay asleep during the landing.

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

> In the FAA eyes it is taking away business from those pilots that have worked for the ratings

This might be a controversial set of facts, but here goes. The FAA doesn't give a rat's ass who makes money. What they do care about is protecting the public from inexperienced and statistically less safe pilots.

As a low-time (under 1000 hrs) private pilot you are statistically far less safe than your ATP certificated counterparts, even flying the same machinery. The public doesn't know that, but it's true. It's the FAA's job to protect them from us until we're safe enough to be entrusted with the lives of those who don't know an ATP from a CPL.

• 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.

Try a David Clark headset (H10-13.4). They have much softer gel pads that wrap around the frame better than the RA200. I wear glasses (thick plastic frames) and my first few lessons I borrowed an RA200 headset from the school and experienced the same problem as you are having. The price is attractive, but it is definitely worth buying a headset that is comfortable - even if it costs more, it will be worth it. I would recommend borrowing a pair of David Clarks from someone to see if they will work better for you. This is what I have:

http://www.amazon.com/David-Clark-H10-13-4-Aviation-Headset/dp/B0011Z9PM2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1451101309&sr=1-1&keywords=h10-13.4

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

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/

Any GoPro and GoPro suction mount will do and you'll want a good audio cable to get ATC/Instruction... I use the NFlightCam cable and haven't had any issue at all (plus it sounds great). Saves you from rigging anything up and it's proven.

Have fun, I find watching back flights VERY helpful to see what I can improve upon. It's always something.

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.

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.

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.

Awesome! I'll probably get those to suppliment. Just to confirm, you're referring to these, right?
https://www.amazon.com/Pilots-Handbook-Aeronautical-Knowledge-FAA-H-8083-25B/dp/1619544733/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499377298&sr=8-1&keywords=Pilots+Handbook+of+Aeronautical+Knowledge

and

https://www.amazon.com/Student-Pilots-Flight-Manual-Certificate/dp/156027719X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499377340&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Student+Pilots+Flight+Manual

Thanks!

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)

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.

I'm really glad you brought this up because I'm about to pick up my IO-360 with a fresh major overhaul, and I've been researching it. Lycoming says "Continue break-in operation for 50 hours or until oil consumption stabilizes." Millenium/Superior says about the same thing, but leaves out the 50 hours and just says "till the rings have seated, oil consumption stabilizes, and cylinder head temperatures drop" This is a sign that the cylinders are broken in". At 100 hours with negligible oil consumption, you are there for sure. So, nice job!

Have you read Mike Busch's book Mike Busch on Engines? If not, you should. Really interesting and informative. Do you have a digital engine monitor installed?

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.

That’s exactly the way you should be thinking. Do yourself a favour and get this book to help realise you are always going to be a learner. I can tell just by the way you are thinking you have not read it, or anything like it.


https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JQX5QCK3M3S2&keywords=the+killing+zone&qid=1558028284&s=gateway&sprefix=The+killing+zone%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1

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.

I'm doing the same thing as you essentially. Go with a headset that you will be giving a future passenger that you probably care about in the future, but that don't need A20s..

For me it's the David Clarks:

David Clark H10-13.4 Aviation Headset

I don't know if there is a more popular GA headset. It's also known for its build quality, longevity and is going to be more than enough for any future passengers.

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

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 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.

Yes and they are much better than the foam ones on the DCs. I ordered this headset:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001THL8SQ/

and installed these earcups:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VSAFK8/

Looks very similar to the one I have. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001THL8SQ/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=28362082327&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3925569031114844254&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_44my5bela5_b

Works like a champ

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.

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

Thankfully, someone found those numbers and wrote a whole book about them.

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

Just as a followup, headsets don't have to be expensive to be functional. This headset from ASA is only $110. I don't know how great it is, or whether it'll last, but it'll certainly get you through a checkride.

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.

> line is a bear for me. I can't sit in one place for awhile, so even at home, reading on a laptop that gets hot is killer. I'll spend the money for the print.

ASA publishes the print versions, here's the lazy-link: PHAK, AFH, and the FAR/AIM but it looks like the Gleim kit already has that one.

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.

Mike Busch is the author of Manifesto, which is an easy read, but introduces the general aviation pilot to a whole new way of thinking about aircraft maintenance. Now he's come out with a 500-page ultimate guide to GA piston aircraft engines. I can't wait to read this and know everything a pilot should know about how to treat their engine and how to handle it when things go wrong.

https://www.amazon.com/Mike-Busch-Engines-maintenance-troubleshooting/dp/1718608950/

"The Killing Zone" is a good book for student pilots in General Aviation. The tagline of the book is "how and why pilots die." Here is an amazon link. https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

It's $20, and if you use Amazon Smile donations, please consider Candler Field Museum. Our founder, Ron Alexander, recently died in a Jenny crash here in town and the museum can use all the help we can get.

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

Have you read this book?

50-350 hours

https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

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.

This:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1619544733/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_gWyACbBY0R1E4

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.

Equipment

• Pee Bags

You can get a product that is a mix between the two.

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/David-Clark-H10-13-4-Aviation-Headset/dp/B0011Z9PM2

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

If you have a newer gopro that takes USB, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OP8RYY8/ref=asc_df_B00OP8RYY85180521/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00OP8RYY8&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167139076547&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9239511459837801797&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9073489&hvtargid=pla-307515190013

If you just need a mini cable, https://www.amazon.com/Nflightcam-Smartphone-Aircraft-Audio-Cable/dp/B00HQMLFWC/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1506026745&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=nflightcam&psc=1

This
http://www.amazon.com/Nflightcam-Aircraft-Audio-Power-Cable/dp/B00OP8RYY8?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

I have a 3+ silver. Does not interfere with comms at all.

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

The Killing Zone suggests that 200 - 500 is the danger zone in terms of hours. Essentially the author suggests:

• < 200 hours: Pilots still have a healthy amount of fear and are overly cautious.
  
• 200 - 500: Pilots now have confidence and complacency sets in, however they are still (relatively) inexperienced and thus can get in over their heads.
  
• 500+: Pilots have seen enough that they are not complacent and are careful, and have the experience to get them out of tight spots should they arise.
  
  I'm at about 400 hours and just knowing I'm in this "Killing Zone" is a great voice in my head to be extra careful still.

> I have to divert if I need to pee. Men can just use an empty Gatorade bottle.

I admit, not as easy for a girl as for a guy, but still maybe an alternate to a diversion. TravelJohn

Someone showed me this book that goes into the details of some fatal crashes and looks into what happened and why, all in a respectful yet analytical way. https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

Not exactly a fun subject, but The Killing Zone: How & Why Pilots Die is a great book.

> 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.

Read "The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die." You'll learn a lot about flying safely.

https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

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.

I recommend the book "The Killing Zone: How & Why Pilots Die" by Paul Craig (non-affiliate link); it has some good discussion of how accidents and incidents can happen.

I have this nflightcam adapter that runs into my GoPro and records the headset audio, which just plugs in as a passthrough for your headset and also has a USB input to allow you to charge the camera at the same time:

https://www.amazon.com/Nflightcam-Aircraft-Audio-Power-Cable/dp/B00OP8RYY8

Only downside is that it cuts out the ambient/engine audio, so I use my phone to record that and edit it back in later.

Got myself a DC H10 13.4 headset just before I started training. I figured cost-wise it would be around the same to get a headset that will last a while (or go through a few cheap headsets). I have had nothing but great times with this headset.

You should read https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404

I'm going through it now so I understand the risks as I'm learning to fly.

I highly recommend you read The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die

Buy 3 [HS-1](ASA HS-1 Aviation Headset https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001THL8SQ/)s for $330(ish), next day shipping available for Prime members. At the end of the trip flip 'em for $75/ea, make a couple of starving students' day.

I recommend you read The Killing Zone - Why pilots die

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.

I am still in my studies but you may want to read The Killing Zone. They discuss situations such as this..in particular, there is a section on the dangers of complacency with new autopilot technologies. Always worth keeping yourself honest now that you've gotten yourself out of trouble once with technology that you don't up your personal limits because you know the tech is there to save you.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Killing-Zone-Second-Edition/dp/0071798404

Glad to hear it... As long as you never put yourself in a position where you have to fly for whatever reason, should be fine.

Also, check out the book "The Killing Zone" ( https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404 ). Apparently, some of his numbers are off, but its a great overview of how pilots get themselves killed and how to avoid those situations.

It's called The Killing Zone.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Killing-Zone-Second-Edition/dp/0071798404

The Killing Zone

It's drawn from real world NTSB reports and does a very good job of going through all the factors contributing to pilot fatalities, especially in the 40-340 hour window that remains the deadliest experience level in aviation.

The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071798404/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4Mr6CbNZCBHET

This is a good read and addresses your question.

Stick and rudder would definitely be appropriate. Although I would add it probably wouldn't translate well into x-plane. In general, VFR flight doesn't translate well into sims outside of some procedural stuff. If you want, get him an IFR book to practice with in the sim (I like this one).

One other book that you may want to consider is "The Killing Zone": https://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-Pilots-Aviation/dp/0071798404. You'll have to decide if it's appropriate or not. Some of the statistics are debatable, but it really opened my eyes to being risk averse and how a lot of the dangers of flight are avoidable.

I'm by no means an expert and don't have my own opinion. I have been reading an amazing book:

The Killing Zone, Second Edition: How & Why Pilots Die https://www.amazon.com/dp/0071798404/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_gMkYCb331JW3F

This looks at general aviation crash reports and breaks down the trends. The guy has basically determined most crashes happen as a result of pilot error.

The TLDR is most deaths occur after a pilot gets the PPL and leaves the protection of having a CFI, up to about the couple hundred hour mark. Most of these causes fall into a few categories: VFR into IMC causing CFIT; slow flight maneuvering, take off and landing.

Its 100% worth the read.

Statistically, GA has a crash rate 10x that of car crashes (as best the author could figure - source that book.)

Motorcycle crash rates are 75x that of cars however. (Source very quick Google-fu: https://www.askadamskutner.com/motorcycle-accident/how-do-car-accidents-compare-to-motorcycle-accidents/)

The Killing Zone

http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Zone-Second-How-Pilots/dp/0071798404/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407429030&sr=1-1&keywords=paul+craig

A book that that statistically explores GA accidents and why pilots with 100-350 hours (or something like that) are so much more likely to have a fatal incident.

The number of people who make the same mistakes that end up fatal is astounding. A lot of things you hear and say "obviously that's stupid and I would never do it" are explained and it's easier to get into those situations than one would think.