Have fun
jcoloccia said:
You're spot on Vern. Problem is that there are a LOT of CFI's these days that won't even begin training with you until after you've passed the written. I find this totally bizarre but that's how it is for a lot of guys.
Really? I like the combined method of ground with flight training. The student can read and apply the knowledge, however you can do 100% ground and exam with zero time in plane. You also can do 100% of your flight training right up to check ride with out the written taken. I think some where in the middle is best. I don't see an advantage other than getting it out of the way. In fact some flight time I think helps understand the book work better, with better retention. It is a fundamental of learning. Things that are REAL, relevant, practiced, applied and urgent are best learned. You may take a ground school and pass the written but not really know ditty.
In the old days it use to take weeks or month plus to get results. That was the main reason to get the written out of the way, so waiting for results did not hold up taking the check ride. Now, at least for the last 15 years or more, results are instant.
I believe jcoloccia, I'm with him, I just did not do it that way. One lesson learned is the CFI is the boss so to speak, but it is up to you to communicate what YOU want, what is best for you. If you don't like something than communicate; don't sit there and says nothing. If you don't tell your CFI they don't know. If you want to start to flight lessons before the written, than that is reasonable. There is no regulation requiring it.
However you need to come prepared. For example before lesson #1 in the plane you need to know or have a basic understanding of: Aircraft systems, flight controls, aerodynamics and normal
procedures (pre-flight, engine start, taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, approach and landing, check list, airport, pattern and ATC). Lesson #2 flight maneuvers, turns, climb, decent and so on, building on lesson #1 and so on. If you show up and have no clue the instructor spends more time talking and charging you for ground. So one motivation is keeping your dual instruction time down and do more flying than talking when you are at the airport.
Remember to have fun, Cheers George CFI(I-ME)
PS as far as leaning tools there are so many I am out of touch. Sporty, King, Jeppesen, ASA and Gleim. I have seen samples over the years, they are OK. I like to read, so books worked for me. May I suggest eBay? You can get a good deals on pilot training materials that are a year old or so. The basics of aerodynamics and maneuvers has not changed since the Wrights Bros. Airspace and regs have been fairly stable over the last 5-10 years. Getting old training materials could be problematic, but you should always have the latest AIM/FAR as the final authority. The trick sometimes is interpreting the FAR's. Also a must have is the FAA private pilot test prep book, Gleim or ASA are the two big publishers of written training materials. Also you need the PTS - practical test standards for private pilot. As you study you should practice the test questions as you go. BTW I expect you to get a 90% or better on your written.
