Thanks for all the input. One thing this discussion points out is that pilots are all different.
Murphey: Great idea to get these items in stages. What would you start with?
If there's a pilot shop nearby, let the student rent/borrow a variety of headsets to see which they like best. If there's no option for that in the area, most of the name brands have a 30 day trial period. I will admit that for comfort, my original Dave Clarks are the best. I have 2 pair and they're now used by the pax. I have the Lightspeed Zulus. The DC are still more comfy (small head) but I prefer the ANR of the Zulus.
For the list - Right Now
1. look over the 8500-5 form (medical) and see what could be a problem then deal with it.
2. trial headsets until you find one you like.
3. a plotter and the cardboard E6B - no need to spend the bucks on the metal one.
4. Sunglasses - if clipon, make sure they are NOT polarized. I've had polarized forever but then, I don't have anything that's LCD in the airplane. LCD & polarized do not work. And recently discovered that polarized & the iPad do not work, either. Fortunately, I need to update the prescription so the new lenses will not be polarized.
5. Altho I have a couple of clipboards from the big box office store (there's small ones too that fit perfectly in the yoke of the cherokee) I did go for the metal ASA board. Fit's nicely on the leg, doesn't get in the way, and has all sorts of goodies on it.
6. A syllabus unless it's being provided. Oddly enough, the Jepp syllabus is great, I'm just not fond of the text book. Students don't understand that there's a fair amount of studying to do and a planned program is the best approach to learning. Do your homework before you come to the airport.
7. Forget the flight bag - I have a small Eagle Creek bag (part of my luggage) that is the perfect size for headset, charts, gadgets and the printed FAR/AIM. You can scribble in the printed version, put little stickies, etc.
8. One of the best headset bags is the padded/insulated lunch bag that is the same shape as the classic paper bag. Cheap, comes in colors, and is definitely a conversation piece. Plus, if left in the car by accident, it doesn't look like anything worth stealing.
9. Sectional and/or terminal, depending where you are. I took ground school with sims (part 141 at the college where I teach) before I ever got into the airplane. Understanding the sectional made it easier to look out the windown and make the connection in my head what I was seeing between the map & outside.
Down the Road once the student has decided they really want to learn to fly. This can be next week or months away. But why waste money only to find out you don't like flying.
1. Study books for the exam is very personal - not everyone learns the same way. My preference is Gleim, but again, that's a personal preference.
2. Ground school material - Altho I used to work for Jepp, I really don't like the textbooks - again, a personal preference. I tend to prefer a bit more theory than Jepp offers, and really like Kershner's Student Pilot book. It's paperback and cheaper than Jepp, too.
3. Flashlights, view-limiting device, all that other stuff.
4. Let the student decide what they want to buy vs. online - PTS, PHAK, and all that other stuff. Of course this is dependent entirely on the DE that will be used. Some expect/demand paper everything, others are fine that the reference material is on a tablet or laptop. Afterall, you're not going to be looking up info on the PHAK while flying - at least I hope not.
Murphey: I think that cooking anything while flying is far too distracting. I try to keep looking outside the plane most of the time and during that time, the eggs stick to the pan.
Alton Brown flies (owns a C206 and another aircraft) and has this great interview on 25 Zulu. Check out the Jan 8, 2009 episode at
http://www.goldseallive.com/archives.aspx
and you'll understand my comment about the eggs.
