GET INSPIRED FLIGHT
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      • Getting to Solo
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GETTING STARTED

- Student Pilot Certificate
https://iacra.faa.gov/ # 1) create a profile 2) bring Gov pic ID & proof of Citizenship to begin training
> non-US-Citizen students click here for additional info
- Check out the FAA WINGS program https://faasafety.gov/WINGS/pub/learn_more.aspx and create your account
- you can fly on your driver's license, so you need not get a medical at this time *IF* you have never been denied
- thumb drive or portable hard drive for your videos
- plan on about $10,000, give or take
> the more often & frequently your train and the more you study on your own, the more you'll save
> there are also advantages to taking your time and reinforcing your learning even if it takes more hours
> 40-60 hours of airplane instruction at $185/hr (better to plan longer than run out of budget)
> 10 hours of ground school at $50/hr
> ? hours of test prep ground school at $50/hr IF you'd like that (but you can also study entirely on your own)
> 2-3 hours of check ride airplane time at $185/hr
> $500 - $700 examiner's fee
- we can also cover everything for Private Pilot training other than night flight, so an "upgrade" once you have your Sport Pilot Certificate should require only 5 hours of night training, enough time to convince your instructor you're ready for another check ride, and the check ride itself.

TEST PREP, GROUND SCHOOL, AND FLIGHT LESSONS

# we will pass on our 20% Gleim discount to you if you pay by cash, Zelle, or check; expect a small fee if you pay with a credit card

- Gleim test prep (we generally plan an overview lesson per topic and then we turn you loose to study)
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/faatpsp/ $60 - 20% # THE BEST way to prep for the knowledge test

- Gleim books
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/fa/ $17 - 20% # you need a hard copy that you can mark & tab

- Gleim tools
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/computer/ $13 - 20% # get this for now and make a final choice later
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/plotter/ $7 - 20%

- We've come to like this Gleim logbook; YMMV
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/logbook/ $11 - 20%

- this Gleim "all in one" Pilot's Handbook version is a good buy if you like paper
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/ph/ $25 - 20%

- OR get all of that and some more if you wish
https://www.gleimaviation.com/shop/spkitcd/ $135 - 20% = $108 # the Pilot Handbook tips the balance

- You will also eventually want an Atlanta sectional chart. Here's the best price I've found
http://mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/9

- FAA free downloads for reading electronically
# https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/ # lots of great material
# https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/ # more great material
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak/
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/FAA-H-8083-1.pdf # additional but worth it
http://fsims.faa.gov/wdocs/orders/8900_2.htm ==> Section 6 / #55 # for your check ride
https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/media/faa-s-8081-29.pdf # for your check ride
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AIRCRAFT INFO

- POH, QuickRef, Manual (see https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pEZ0ZmcsE73-u4LoB5nPnwsxQ6xzUp8-)
Jabiru pilot manual J250SP POH
Jabiru GPS manual & quickref
Jabiru Weight & Balance

BushCat pilot manual POH
BushCat pilot manual quickref
BushCat n339bc ch170c supplement (with W&B)

SOLOING

Everyone wonders how long it will take to finally make it to solo and actually fly as pilot in command. We sure did! :-) Just as with our "building blocks" approach of learning discrete things and later putting them together into more complex operations, you have many steps on your journey -- but you can get there! Surf over to Getting to Solo to see what's ahead of you.
​
HANDY TOOLS

- https://aviationweather.gov/gfa (and other tools there)
- https://airnav.com/airports/
- https://windy.com/ (and the app)
- the Arcus Weather app is dead :-( and we'd love to hear your favorite replacement
- http://flying.justpickone.org/flying/radio-script.KJZP-34.html and http://flying.justpickone.org/flying/radio-script.KJZP-16.html
- see also the NATO phonetic alphabet
- this METAR decoder can be a big help as you get started
- the  NASA ASRS forms
- we like the Dauntless Flight Planner form when it's time to get formal
# coming soon: GIFT freqs cheat sheet with AWOS phone numbers
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GOOD BOOKS

- the FAA has quite a few good handbooks, advisory circulars, and testing references.  Have a look here for some of our favorites.

# you certainly might find these for less elsewhere; these are just pointers
https://amazon.com/Stick-Rudder-Explanation-Art-Flying/dp/0070362408
https://amazon.com/Compleat-Taildragger-Pilot-Harvey-Plourde/dp/0963913700
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HUMAN STUFF

- layers for the season, remembering that it gets colder as you go higher
- sunscreen & sunglasses since we have such great visibility
- hats (whether knit for warmth or baseball for comfort) may be a good idea
- shoes that let you feel the pedals (this is a matter for lots of discussion... :-)
​

  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Managing Expectations
    • New-Student-Info >
      • Getting to Solo
      • Leaving the Pattern
      • Off for the Check Ride
      • Sport Instruction For All
      • Tailwheel Fun
      • Flying the Tail
      • International
  • Extras
  • GIFT Shop
  • Contact