When I started, I had to buy a kit that included the Jeppesen Private Pilot manual, the Jepp PPL test guide, a copy of the FAR/AIMs, a sectional, a ruler/scale for sectionals, a flight computer, a fuel tester, the short version of the POH for the Cessna 172, and emergency procedures for the 172, all in a handy dandy flight bag.

Similar to this:  http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9571


I didn't get my own headset until I got my license, but it's probably a good idea to get one now since you're going to need one eventually.

EDIT:  After looking around a bit, this is the one I had: http://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilotstore/sep/2087?utm_source=google&utm_medium=f...

A good manual - Bill Kershner's 'Private Pilot' or similar.  Look in your local library for 'Stick and Rudder' by Wolfgang Langiewische.

Early on, the only thing I had were my PPL book and logbook. As I progressed and started doing longer flights, cross country flights, and night flights, I had purchased the E6B flight computer, plotter, flight bag, FAR/AIM, written text prep book, sectional charts, and kneeboard. I also carried water, flashlight, pens, a notepad, and my point and shoot camera.

SubZer0 wrote on Jan 5^th, 2010 at 8:04pm:



Good luck with the King DVDs.  We used to use the VHS version years ago.  They are very thorough and very informitive, if you can stay awake listening to Martha.

Since you're on a student's budget, my advice is, when thinking "flight computer" you think of this:

http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9306



Not this:

http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/9343

I still use my cardboard "whiz wheel" that I purchased in 1995. It does everything the electronic one does, but I've never had any of the following problems:
-broken after being sat on/stepped on/dropped
-unusable due to scratched or cracked display
-broken buttons
-failure after immersion in water
-unusable due to dead batteries
-hard to read in direct sunlight

And if it does ever need replacing, it will be a lot cheaper to do so.
The logic behind the electronic ones is that the mechanical E6B is "hard to use", or "confusing", or it's "too slow". this is all nonsense.
First of all, it's important to remember, when you consider "fumbling" with a circular slide rule in flight vs. pushing buttons, that a flight computer usually gets used a lot more before the flight. But with a little practice, the "whiz wheel" becomes ridiculously easy to use in flight... even with one hand, which is quite a trick with a calculator-type E6B.  I can tell you my ETA and estimated fuel burn to the next waypoint with my whiz wheel while the electronic device is still booting. And I can do it with one hand, in turbulence. Any fool who has spent a little time with a whiz wheel can do the same.

Andy,
Great news to hear you're finally beginning your flight training, hope it all goes well for you. Glad you enjoyed your first flight too, its addictive just try and stop, its not easy. Just wondering if you did/have a chance to fly that 172 that has the same paintscheme as my 172 (remember they are twins, built along side each other )? And I would love to see a shot of your aircraft, if possible.

Good Luck with the rest.

I wish I was flying a 152 (actually, I wish they had a 170 or 140, but that's another story). It has more character than a 172.

Before I started flying I had a headset, a fuel tester, logbook, a current VNC, a kneeboard, a Category 1 Medical, a whiz wheel (CR-3), and a whole bunch of books on everything from theory to practical. The only thing I didn't have was a CFS subscription (which is a Canadian thing, I have no idea what the JAA or FAA equivalent of that is). As a student with a commercial license, I can still say I only use my backpack... haha... I've never bought a flight bag, you definitely don't need one. Not at that stage anyways.