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Your student pilot kit |
Learning to fly with the experts
Flying instructors say the biggest thrill for every student pilot is their first solo flight.
There is another possible first big thrill.
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Your first flying manual |
Buying your first manual to learn how to fly possibly rates an equal-first with your first solo.
A large number of our subscribers who are deadly enthusiastric flight simmers go on to become real pilots.
The biggest problem they face when opening this first book is hunger and haste to try and read the entire volume in an hour.
Computer News is about to review what represents the student pilot's introduction to flying.
There are three books in the package from the Aviation Theory Centre, 240 Huntingdale Road, Huntingdale in Victoria, Australia: phone (03) 9548 8821.
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| Primary flight controls |
We will cover one book at a time and the three reviews will follow each other in the news listing on this website.
The books are available separately or in a single cost-saving package called Student Kit (basic kit) for $140 (representing a saving of $11.60).
The kit is also available from most flying schools throughout Australia.
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David Robson: Grade 1 instructor |
It comprises Basic Aeronatitical Knowledge ($60); Flying Training Manual ($49.30); ATC Pilot's Logbook ($17) and Flight Radio for Pilots - VFR Operations ($25).
Computer News realises all wannabe pilots will first want to know about the Flying Training Manual, which we are presently reviewing in this story.
Unlike the Jeppesen manuals, this one is not in full colour, however do not let that deter you.
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Study the effective way |
Whether the book is in colour or not is not the point: it is the contents that matter most.
Most flying instructors will recommend you buy and study this manual, whether you get it alone or as part of the Student Kit.
The purpose of this manual is to prepare you for each flight lesson and reinforce briefings from your instructor.
It comprises 378 pages, contains 21 exercises and hundreds of illustrations to help you study easily and swiftly.
The exercises, which you will carry out in conjunction with your instructor's lessons, include forced landings, steep turns, emergency procedures, straight and level flight, aircraft control (effects of controls), aircraft familiarisation, engine operation, taxiing and post-flight actions and . . . most importantly of all from your point of view. . . your first solo.
The editorial team behind the manual includes illustrious aviator David Robson, a former RAAF fighter and test pilot with more than 1000 Mirage and 500 Sabre hours: a pilot who has flown among other aircraft Chipmunks, Hunters, Canberras, Lightnings and Argosies.
The team also includes Juliet Klarica, who began flight training at 15 in Melbourne, completed a Bachelor of Science (Aviation) degree and worked as a professional commercial pilot at Merimbula Air Services.
She presently is a flight instructor at Peter Bini Advanced Flight Training at Moorabbin.
The manual explains phases of training, tests and examinations, while also providing an outline on how to study and become a pilot.
Do you know what a knot is? The manual explains: it is derived from nautical traditions and is one nautical mile per hour.
It is retained in aviation, the manual says, because it is a division of the system of measuring position and distance over the surface of the earth . . . lattitude and longitude.
A natutical mile is 6080 feet or 1.852 kilometres.
The manner in which the manul is laid out makes it simple to study, comprising detailed information in an easy-to-learn format.
The process of learning is highly detailed and allows the student to absorb information methodically with the assistance of appropriate illustrations and methodology.
This is probably the best manual you can buy to learn how to become a good pilot and an efficient airman.
In flying, airmanship is just as important as the ability to concentrate on what you are doing way up there beyond where birds can reach you.
It also makes a great gift for birthdays and other occasions for the aspiring pilot.
Copyright laws prevents us from quoting slabs of copy from the manual, but rest assured that for the money it is an execellent buy.