pilot stuff is too expensive
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pilot stuff is too expensive
Do you guy feel the aviaton product is too expensive,just like the E6B,plotter,flight bag....etc and only limite to the Jepp and ASA......not much product we can choose in the market.....And the quality of the Jepp is not value for the high price.....
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, that's why I usually manage to find alternatives (other than the flight computer). My flight bag is a cheap laptop case, my stopwatch came from a sports shop (quarter of the price), gloves from a golfing shop, protactors etc from a local stationers - there are pretty much always alternatives to be found.
I print my own flight plans and made my own kneeboard and I've never had to buy a hi-vis vest; I seem to acquire them!!!
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Whirls
I print my own flight plans and made my own kneeboard and I've never had to buy a hi-vis vest; I seem to acquire them!!!
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Age: 58
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whirls is right, seek alternatives (I made my own kneeboard too, much better than commercial ones!!).
The main problem is putting the words 'Aviation' or 'Pilot' in the title, this causes the cost of anything to immediately double despite there being no other reason (quality, value for money etc.).
In my job, the words 'Broadcast' or 'Transmission' have the same effect but triple the cost. (Apparantly, my friends who do boaty/sailing-type things tell me 'Marine' does the same).
The main problem is putting the words 'Aviation' or 'Pilot' in the title, this causes the cost of anything to immediately double despite there being no other reason (quality, value for money etc.).
In my job, the words 'Broadcast' or 'Transmission' have the same effect but triple the cost. (Apparantly, my friends who do boaty/sailing-type things tell me 'Marine' does the same).
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: England
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
They are all made for a very small market. I'm amazed the shops can survive for although the prices are high surely the volumes are very low.
Crossover products are fun to find. The problem for the ppl student is knowing how much of the tools you need. A good instructor may be able to point the way.
Once you've bought the stuff it lasts forever, I can't think of anything I've worn out. You just get bored and replace it.
as an academic exercise what would you recommend for the budding PPL.
Clip board instead of kneeboard
Cheap simple digital watch rather than a breitling (that'll buy a few lessons)
Gloves - Do you need them- I'm looking forward to the golf shop options. Parachute suppliers do good leather gloves.
Plogs done in Excel
Pens from the stationers (make sure they are not permanent - but not too unpermanent either)
Nail paint remover to remove the permanent marks.
Bag- theres the argos options, but you can get helmet bags for 20quid. Or sainsburys do the long life carrier bags for one quid.
Checklists - Write your own, pohotocopy or download
Surely some kitchen implement can replace the fuel strainer
Most fuel dippers seem to be a length of 20p wood.
The stuff with no alternatives
Ruler marked off in NM
Wind computer
Books
Maps
Headset
There must be more
Crossover products are fun to find. The problem for the ppl student is knowing how much of the tools you need. A good instructor may be able to point the way.
Once you've bought the stuff it lasts forever, I can't think of anything I've worn out. You just get bored and replace it.
as an academic exercise what would you recommend for the budding PPL.
Clip board instead of kneeboard
Cheap simple digital watch rather than a breitling (that'll buy a few lessons)
Gloves - Do you need them- I'm looking forward to the golf shop options. Parachute suppliers do good leather gloves.
Plogs done in Excel
Pens from the stationers (make sure they are not permanent - but not too unpermanent either)
Nail paint remover to remove the permanent marks.
Bag- theres the argos options, but you can get helmet bags for 20quid. Or sainsburys do the long life carrier bags for one quid.
Checklists - Write your own, pohotocopy or download
Surely some kitchen implement can replace the fuel strainer
Most fuel dippers seem to be a length of 20p wood.
The stuff with no alternatives
Ruler marked off in NM
Wind computer
Books
Maps
Headset
There must be more
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Massachusetts Bay Colony
Age: 57
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep, and the real problem is that half of the stuff you only buy because the CAA insists on living in the dark ages and teaching us how to fly as if airoplane design never progressed beyond Tiger Moths. I've never once used a stopwatch for flying (wristwatch seems to do the job pretty well and I already own one of those) and the whizwheel is immediately redundant the day after you pass your exam.
Buy as much stuff used as you can and sell it on to the next student when you're done with it.
Unfortunately, though, as long as the CAA is populated by people that don't actually seem to know anything about flying, we're stuck with this nonsense.
Once you get past all that rubbish, though, flying in this country is a real blast!
Buy as much stuff used as you can and sell it on to the next student when you're done with it.
Unfortunately, though, as long as the CAA is populated by people that don't actually seem to know anything about flying, we're stuck with this nonsense.
Once you get past all that rubbish, though, flying in this country is a real blast!
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try putting the word "wedding" in front of anything and triple the real cost would be a bargain!!! 
Gloves? I didn't bother until I realised that in the hot summer heat (not 2007 obviously), my little paws can get quite sweaty; that's why the golfing glove (bought singly) is a good option because I only really need one for my left hand on the collective.
Oh yeah, you can download LASORS for free!
Cheers
Whirls
Gloves? I didn't bother until I realised that in the hot summer heat (not 2007 obviously), my little paws can get quite sweaty; that's why the golfing glove (bought singly) is a good option because I only really need one for my left hand on the collective.
Oh yeah, you can download LASORS for free!
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: in the mist
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Welcome to the world of aviation. Why not try putting an "Items wanted" ad on your local flying club board or simply asking people who have passed their licences. Perhaps second hand stuff will keep the price down a wee bit. Better still go and find an unbiased, experience pilot and ask them "what do I really need?", thus saving yourself money by not buying fancy looking gadgets that you think you'll need.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: London
Age: 52
Posts: 585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who the hell needs a copy of lasors?
You don't really need a stopwatch for your PPL, although you WILL need one for an IMC rating or instrument rating.
Learning to fly the "Tiger Moth way" gives you a good appreciation of what's going on with the wind etc. That will stand you in good stead later. Trust me!
For anything which isn't UK specific (like a chart or a JAA textbook) I would suggest ordering from the US. It's almost always MUCH cheaper than you can get it here - even after you've paid the postage. I use Arizona Aviation Supplies at Prescott Arizona. The guy who owns it is a fruit loop, but also possibly the most helpful man ever to own a pilot supplies shop.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Iceland
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just be creative and you'll be alright. Just don't be cheap when it comes to bying charts and gps (if you'll ever want to buy one as an alternetive)
But kneeboards, gloves, sunglassess, watch etc can be obtained by other means then by "www.the-super-expensive-pilot-gear-shop.com"
But kneeboards, gloves, sunglassess, watch etc can be obtained by other means then by "www.the-super-expensive-pilot-gear-shop.com"
The stuff with no alternatives
Ruler marked off in NM
Ruler marked off in NM
(In fact, I once thought about patenting a special ruler for measuring the length of penises; one where the inches are actually 20mm!)
As for most other stuff: eBay is your friend!
Transair (I think it was) once sent out a 'Marine' catalogue with their 'Aviation' catalogue.
You'll notice I wrote 'once'.....
Because after quite a few people noticed that the same items were being sold at a lower price in the 'Marine' catalogue, Transair didn't do it again........
For example, the same Leatherman was £5 cheaper in the 'Marine' catalogue.
(Apologies if it was some other company!).
You'll notice I wrote 'once'.....
Because after quite a few people noticed that the same items were being sold at a lower price in the 'Marine' catalogue, Transair didn't do it again........
For example, the same Leatherman was £5 cheaper in the 'Marine' catalogue. (Apologies if it was some other company!).
Last edited by BEagle; 22nd Jan 2008 at 08:17.
Avoid imitations
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Posts: 14,634
Received 513 Likes
on
273 Posts
Stick and rudderman
Well, for one, you've got me worried.... Is this an interest just for rainy days? 
"Let me help you with your "flight plan", dear boy....."
Puts a different meaning on your username.
(In fact, I once thought about patenting a special ruler for measuring the length of penises; one where the inches are actually 20mm!)
"Let me help you with your "flight plan", dear boy....."
Puts a different meaning on your username.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: UK
Age: 58
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, Ebay is the way:
Almost unused headset (for pax/spare use) £40, £110 new.
Sporty's E6B electronic calc, £24, about £70 once imported or equiv. here.
RNAV plotter, £2, £7 new.
IMC DVD, £12, £28 new.
& so on. (All the above include postage too).
Plus a few books at 1/3 to 1/2 price.
Just don't get caught up in the bidding, check out the new price before you bid. I've seen several examples lately of folk bidding more for secondhand than new!!
Amazon is worth checking out too as you can get used books for a pittance, although be aware, as Ebay, if they need to be up to date editions, the ones on sale may be out of date.
Even some brand new books can be £'s less. eg: T.Thom book 5 (IMC etc) £25 from most places, under £18 incl. post from Amazon brand new latest edition.
Remember, being tight with you money is not a problem.....
It's an art-form and a talent!!!!!
Almost unused headset (for pax/spare use) £40, £110 new.
Sporty's E6B electronic calc, £24, about £70 once imported or equiv. here.
RNAV plotter, £2, £7 new.
IMC DVD, £12, £28 new.
& so on. (All the above include postage too).
Plus a few books at 1/3 to 1/2 price.
Just don't get caught up in the bidding, check out the new price before you bid. I've seen several examples lately of folk bidding more for secondhand than new!!
Amazon is worth checking out too as you can get used books for a pittance, although be aware, as Ebay, if they need to be up to date editions, the ones on sale may be out of date.
Even some brand new books can be £'s less. eg: T.Thom book 5 (IMC etc) £25 from most places, under £18 incl. post from Amazon brand new latest edition.
Remember, being tight with you money is not a problem.....
It's an art-form and a talent!!!!!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: ...back of the drag curve
Age: 61
Posts: 558
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
as long as the CAA is populated by people that don't actually seem to know anything about flying
In my experience, I find that a lot of pilot's who technically should know how to navigate ('cos they've just got a brand new PPL!), havent got the foggiest idea how to navigate by map and compass. GPS is easy innit
The same people who seem to think that a Nav bag, Headset and Raybans makes you into a pilot......
Save your money, get an old bag to carry your junk around, and forget the knee board - just write on your map!
Hovering AND talking
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Propping up bars in the Lands of D H Lawrence and Bishop Bonner
Age: 59
Posts: 5,705
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, and you'll get the correct answer in the first three posts with 28 pages of pontificating to follow!
Cheers
Whirls
Cheers
Whirls
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Australandnewzealandland
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You don't even need a nav ruler. on your chart, lattitudes are measured in NM. You can measure track distances with a piece of string.
Besides, REAL nav computers have a nav ruler along the side and they DON'T melt if you leave them on the parcel shelf.
Besides, REAL nav computers have a nav ruler along the side and they DON'T melt if you leave them on the parcel shelf.
There seems to be a Pavlovian reflex amongst pilots to knock the CAA. OK, I have to declare an interest - I worked there in the dim and distant past. However, I have been dealing with them professionally for a very long time and there are some intensely proficient and aviation minded people across all the departments. The fact that they occasionally have to say no to us is because they are regulators and what may seem unfair or obtuse to the individual is different when viewed in the big scheme of things. Agreed there are some idiots in Aviation House, but that's true of any large organisation - it's one of those immutable rules of life. The majority are actually on our side big time. If you want an example of how bad regulation can be, look across the Channel.
(In fact, I once thought about patenting a special ruler for measuring the length of penises; one where the inches are actually 20mm!)