So, I just submitted an application for NFA-P this summer. I've got one big worry though (assuming I get selected): Besides what I've learned in the AE modules up to the Mitchell, I don't know nothin'!
Will that be a problem? Or is the activity designed for someone with no prior knowledge (as I hope)?
Generally, flight encampments and academies are designed for someone with no prior experience. Your activity director may send out required reading or pre-arrival study materials. It will, however, benefit you greatly if you take the time and effort to study before the activity. The AE modules are a nice step, but try and get into more basic flight related materials. There are numerous items available for free on the internet. Also, there's probably a good chance someone in your squadron, or nearby, will have good knowledge on this stuff. I'd ask for help if you know they fly. How much you're actually ready to start learning when you arrive can make the difference between solo and pre-solo.
Quote from: CASH172 on January 10, 2010, 05:38:07 AM
Generally, flight encampments and academies are designed for someone with no prior experience. Your activity director may send out required reading or pre-arrival study materials. It will, however, benefit you greatly if you take the time and effort to study before the activity. The AE modules are a nice step, but try and get into more basic flight related materials. There are numerous items available for free on the internet. Also, there's probably a good chance someone in your squadron, or nearby, will have good knowledge on this stuff. I'd ask for help if you know they fly. How much you're actually ready to start learning when you arrive can make the difference between solo and pre-solo.
Roger that. My squadron has O-flights coming up with a neighboring squadron, and I'll be talking to the pilots at that time.
Also, if there is enough time (and acquired knowledge) for me to solo while there, can local CAP pilots help with the rest of the training back home? (I recall seeing this subject somewhere, but can't find the thread...)
Quote from: PhoenixCadet on January 10, 2010, 05:42:22 AM
Also, if there is enough time (and acquired knowledge) for me to solo while there, can local CAP pilots help with the rest of the training back home? (I recall seeing this subject somewhere, but can't find the thread...)
Yes, if there is a willing CAP Instructor Pilot and he/she is a senior then you could receive flight training. The advantage of this route is that the CAP IP cannot collect pay. Your only expense is the CAP aircraft's rate, which is considerably lower than your local FBO. Many cadets do attempt this route, but very few utilize it all the way toward a private. Consistent flights are required if you're serious about this route. A CAP IP's job and utilization of the aircraft for ES are generally going to come before your training. However, there have been some that did make it all the way to private using just CAP, so at least try.
Quote from: CASH172 on January 10, 2010, 05:57:54 AM
Yes, if there is a willing CAP Instructor Pilot and he/she is a senior then you could receive flight training. The advantage of this route is that the CAP IP cannot collect pay. Your only expense is the CAP aircraft's rate, which is considerably lower than your local FBO. Many cadets do attempt this route, but very few utilize it all the way toward a private. Consistent flights are required if you're serious about this route. A CAP IP's job and utilization of the aircraft for ES are generally going to come before your training. However, there have been some that did make it all the way to private using just CAP, so at least try.
Great! I'll definitely check into that. I just got word from a friend who went through NFA last year that the CC of the local senior squadron (that provides our O-rides) offers training. He mentioned that it's a 182 that they use, and that there's a special FAA endorsement on it. What would that mean for me? Extra training?
The 182 is a high performance aircraft, which requires a high performance endorsement before solo or a checkride. It's not a big deal, but you'll be learning to fly a more advanced aircraft in the beginning. It'll be more pricey than a 172 but will probably still be cheaper than your local fbo. If the planes a G1000, that will add a little bit extra learning to do. I do not recommend starting out in a G1000 but its your training.
Roger. I'm doin' what I can due to money - and if it takes a bit more learnin' for a cheaper set of lessons, it works for me.
Thanks for all the info!
Which NFA sites did you apply for?
All, with Camp Ashland, NE, being at the last of the line (it runs right through my high school graduation). VA and ME are first on the list.
If you don't get a primary slot you will wind up as an alternate, so be flexible. You'll probably be getting a call from one of the NFA ADs looking to fill a slot that comes open when a primary selectee drops out, and that happens often. Plan on getting your third class medical certificate sometime before summer starts, you won't be able to solo at NFA-Powered without it. Academics wise, you'll get at NFA ground school what you need to know to pass the pre-solo written exam that you have to pass prior to solo. But whatever you can pick up prior to your arriving will make the academy that much easier.
If you have the time, I would highly recommend picking up and working through a copy of Gleim's FAA Test Prep (http://www.gleim.com/products/productdetails.php?proSell=PPKT). You won't need all of the info in there to solo, most of the navigation and XC flight planning will be irrelevant to soloing, but it will definitely put you ahead of the pack. It will also prepare you to take the FAA Knowledge Test, which is a good thing to accomplish soon after solo. It will help prepare you for your follow on training, if you intend to go all the way, as well.
You can save a lot of time with your CFI if you understand the basics of how and why the airplane flies, how the engine works, how to read the instruments, etc, before you get into the cockpit.
Quote from: CFI_Ed on January 11, 2010, 08:19:25 PM
If you don't get a primary slot you will wind up as an alternate, so be flexible. You'll probably be getting a call from one of the NFA ADs looking to fill a slot that comes open when a primary selectee drops out, and that happens often. Plan on getting your third class medical certificate sometime before summer starts, you won't be able to solo at NFA-Powered without it. Academics wise, you'll get at NFA ground school what you need to know to pass the pre-solo written exam that you have to pass prior to solo. But whatever you can pick up prior to your arriving will make the academy that much easier.
Thank you for the info, sir. Regarding the medical certificate, when is the earliest I could get it done? Is there an expiry date on it? I checked through the FAA and there's a local doctor in the same medical center my regular doc is in.
DC, I was told by a friend (graduated NFA last year) that at the very least, I should study the first 3 AE modules. Will these be a big help?
Quote from: PhoenixCadet on January 12, 2010, 12:59:02 AM
Quote from: CFI_Ed on January 11, 2010, 08:19:25 PM
If you don't get a primary slot you will wind up as an alternate, so be flexible. You'll probably be getting a call from one of the NFA ADs looking to fill a slot that comes open when a primary selectee drops out, and that happens often. Plan on getting your third class medical certificate sometime before summer starts, you won't be able to solo at NFA-Powered without it. Academics wise, you'll get at NFA ground school what you need to know to pass the pre-solo written exam that you have to pass prior to solo. But whatever you can pick up prior to your arriving will make the academy that much easier.
Thank you for the info, sir. Regarding the medical certificate, when is the earliest I could get it done? Is there an expiry date on it? I checked through the FAA and there's a local doctor in the same medical center my regular doc is in.
DC, I was told by a friend (graduated NFA last year) that at the very least, I should study the first 3 AE modules. Will these be a big help?
Regarding the medical, I got mine done within a week of asking around. All you have to do is make an appointment with the Flight Doc, and he should do your physical and print your medical in the same visit. Make sure you get a medical cert and a Student Pilot cert (they will be on the same sheet of paper, but the student pilot cert is what allows you to solo, after it has been endorsed by your CFI)... Mine took a little over an hour. Assuming you are in good health and under a certain age, a Class 3 Medical is good for 5 years.
Studying the Aerospace Modules will certainly help you more than not studying at all, but they really only scratch the surface of what there is to know. I'm certain they will teach you all you need to know there, but I'm the kind of person that likes to prep ahead of time. If that's your thing, cool, if not, I'm sure you will still do fine. There isn't a whole lot you need to know to solo, but figuring out how to reliably do a weight and balance sheet, interpret the METAR, and make pattern calls are all things that would give you some immediate benefit that I don't believe are covered in
Aerospace Dimensions.
Also, knowing the airplane you are flying. Know the speeds, the emergency procedures(EP's) bold face, and systems. You dont have to be an expert at them but youned to have a basic knowledge.