first flight

[SF3CAP]

Way to go, Erik!

It's nice to hear some good news for once....

 

[eriknorth]

Thanks guys,
I have been reading a whole lot, and I realistically won't be able to start my formal training until this summer when I'm out of school and can work all the time. I do indeed own FS 2002, and I love it. It helped me a lot on my forst flight, as I have played it for hours upon hours so I was familiar with the controls and some of the basics and lingo. Hey LR25, I'm trying to decide between PDK and Gwinnett Airports. Any advice? Thanks again, yall, and I'll keep you posted.
eriknorth

 

[surfnole]

I did my PPL at PDK. At the time I was working in downtown Atlanta and it was somewhat on the way home from work. I could also take extended lunch and get some practice in.

At the time, they told me PDK was the second busiest general aviation airport in the US. Its very intimidating at first.

I remember going out for a lesson at 5:30 pm and sitting behind five or six business jets and a few single engine props waiting for clearance. They had parallel runways operating and often they were on separate frequencies. It was overwhelming initially.

The downside to PDK is

1) You will spend a lot of money sitting in an airplane waiting for take off clearance.

2) Its roughly a 10 minute flight to the practice area or Gwinnett where we did all our touch and goes (I am sure Gwinnett has grown by now...back in early 90s, it was uncontrolled). You will spend more money flying to and from the practice area.

3) You will almost always need to fly somewhere else to practice touch and goes. Sunday mornings I could stay in the pattern at PDK.

4) The radio communications will take a while to learn.

The upside to PDK is

1) Once you have your private from PDK, you will not be intimidated when you need to talk to a controller. You will be confident enough to fly into almost any GA airport in the country.

I remember one time as a student pilot entering the pattern. The controller told me to expedite my landing because he had a jet on final. I was so worried about expediting the landing that I forgot to slow down and put down the flaps. Then I wondered why I was doing 90 knots over the approach end of the runway.

I floated about halfway down the runway at 10 feet and finally landed. I should have gone around, but I just had it in my mind that I had to land.

 

[Flyer7SA]

LZU or PDK???

PDK is a very busy airport and you will absolutely be thrown into:

1) ATC communication procedures
2) Parallel runways / intricate taxiways
3) Holding short of the runway and waiting most of the time...

Now, take Gwinett (LZU). They have a tower, so you will get experience with class D airspace. Also, they are really close to their practice areas, so you won't spend much money getting to / from or even waiting.

Tell you what, though... Above and beyond choosing an airport, you really want to pay attention to what flight school you choose. Even more important than that is the flight instructor you go with.

~Flyer7SA

 

[eriknorth]

Thanks for the advice. I think that I'm going to go with Gwinett or even Athens, depending on things. I went to the UGA flight club meeting last night, which was only the second one ever. We are planning at least one big trip where we take our "armada" of planes to the beach or something for a few days. We're trying to raise money for this. On thing we are doing is holding a raffle in the campus student center for a free discovery flight. That way, it is recruiting and fund raising. We are trying to think of ideas for fund raising, so if any of you have any ideas or have even done this type of thing before, please let me know. I know from my high school band days that car washes are a big fund raiser. Hmmm....what if we stood on the runway at Hartsfield Airport with a sign that reads, "free jet wash, donations accepted".....

 

[ShawnC]

Well the stand on the runway with a plane wash is what the ERAU Sport Aviation Club does. They goto the local fly-in community and the stand on the main taxi ways just after all the planes come back from breakfast.

 

[eriknorth]

Yeah, I talked to the president of the club and he said that we could do plane washes at our airport for personal planes, and also do the flight school's planes for flight hours. I was just appointed fundraising chair, so I have to get crankin' with this. So far we are working on this as well as corporate sponsorship in the near future. Any ideas?

 

[flyboy]

Erik

I would agree with the idea of outside studying. I made the mistake early in my private of not studying. I passed my private ok but when I got into instrument, studying was really hard. There are some redundant things, but not much. It's a whole new ballgame. You'll need to spend a whole lot of time studying. Also, get the Jep book. I know it's expensive but it's the best and most comprehensive.

Also, If I were you I would try to fly out of PDK. I know it's busy but if you plan on going all the way it will be something you have to get used to. When you begin your instrument you will be glad you've had a lot of radio work. You'll have a lot to do while flying the airplane, fumbling with charts, and changing nav/com frequencies. Having a good feel for ATC will make this easier. Learn all you can now.

ALso, learn that private stuff!! I thought I was done with that stuff after I got my ticket. I am working on my mult-commercial right now and guess what? A lot of private stuff involved. You may not use much of it in the instrument phase, but you'll need it again later. Good luck.

 

[eriknorth]

Exactly what Jep Book are you talking about? I've seen them in stores, but what is the exact title? Also, I've seen software available that helps you learn to use the radio/ATC. I can't remember the name of it, but if you know what I'm talking about, is it worth the money? I'm having to put some money aside right now and save up for my lessons so I can get enough flying in without too much time in between each lesson. So now I'm just kind of stocking up on supplemental material so I'll be ready and be ahead of the game (FS2002, Gliem's Test Book, Private Pilot Manual, etc.). I'm really looking into getting this radio training software. What do you think?

 

[bobbysamd]

Jepp books

Jeppesen-Sanderson is a company that primarily publishes instrument approach charts. You'll be immersed fully in those when you start working on your Instrument rating. Jepp also publishes textbooks and study materials for certificates and ratings. See if you can find the Jepp Private Pilot course at an FBO. Central to the course is the Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual.

Really, though, if you're at all serious about learning as much as you can for your certificate, you should find a class. You'll learn adequately studying at home, but going to class and interacting with the class and instructor is the best way to learn the material in depth.

Good luck with your flying.

 

[Pilotadjuster]

Private books

Another book I wish I had purchased when first starting my private; The Airplane Flying Handbook - its available at most FBOs and through ASA. Goes into the actual mechanics of how to fly maneuvers, landings, etc.

When you sign up with an instructor, you will probably be encouraged to purchase the Jeppesen Private Pilot manual, as part of a private pilot "kit". Jepp does a great job of putting all the material together in a digestable format.

I can echo what a previous poster wrote about learning the private stuff well; a lot of repeat for the single engine commercial, and I find myself reviewing all of the private stuff about 10x for the flight instructor rating.

Good luck!

PA