Getting ready for the trip. I'll be driving to Florida from Colorado, and the thought of driving solo for 32 hours depresses me. I'm enrolling in the pro-pilot course which takes on average six months to complete, so driving down there makes the most sense. I'm excited but I haven't popped a textbook open in two years and that scares me. The staff at the school told me that I can learn at any pace, basically as much as one can take, and I have a feeling that my brain will overheat the first few weeks.
I will try to run this blog entirely from an iPad, which, surprise, needs an app to do so. My primary purpose for the iPad though will be as an electronic flight bag. I downloaded ForeFlight and bought a Dual GPS receiver (after buying the wi-fi only version of the iPad, it was my great "joy" to find out that a gps chip is only installed into the 3G iPad) How useful, if at all, an iPad EFB will be at Aviator, I have yet to find out. I'd hate to have to buy paper charts. Paper backup would be a good idea though...
So would you recommend the iPad? I am debating whether or not I should get one, if I head down there to Aviator. Also, do you have a college degree or anything? Would you recommend getting on before going down there?
ReplyDeleteI haven't gotten to the time building, so no use for the iPad in the air yet. For the check rides I will have to buy at least one paper sectional chart. When I start my instrument flying, I will use the iPad for the approach plates and most instructors prefer that, since you won't be fumbling with the paper plates. The most use so far has been in the class, since I got 2 texbooks for the iPad for like three bucks each (I will have to borrow the real ones for the check ride).
ReplyDeleteAs for the college degree, get one if you want (not required for Aviator) but I would recommend that the degree is not aviation related. First, you will have a back up in case your flying career doesn't work out (lose your medical or something) and second the airlines like to see a degree on your resume, but they DON'T care what the degree is! They look at the amount of hours and type of hours (multi, PIC, IMC, etc), and the degree just looks good on you, but not required.