It's always refreshing to see new flight training study guides come to the market. Each brings a new perspective or presentation that might appeal to a student who has yet to find multimedia training useful. Powerful Learning, a small company originally formed to provide training tools to the airlines, recently introduced its Private Pilot Study System. The System is a complete learning tool designed to prepare students for not only the FAA knowledge test, but the oral and flight tests as well.
In learning mode, the user selects the chapters he or she desires to study. For example, if a flight instructor knows a student has particular trouble with aerodynamics, he could select only that unit for the student to review. Depending on the user-selected settings, once a question is answered, a box pops up explaining the reason for the correct answer. If that isn't enough information for the student to understand the concept behind the question, he can click on the Learn button found within every question. A separate window comes to the forefront with the applicable information to answer the question, directly from the appropriate government publication. When the student finishes the lesson, a summary explains the results.
The test mode takes the learning mode and strips it down. In this mode, the software automatically selects 66 random questions from the total library. Upon completion a detailed analysis tells the student and instructor where more work may be needed.
Flash card mode is something unique to Powerful Learning. Again, the instructor or student can select the appropriate unit to study. But instead of multiple-choice questions, a series of virtual cards asks the student to answer basic questions related to the private pilot curriculum without the aid of the software's FAA publication library. It's a nice tool that requires students to do more than pick an overly obvious multiple-choice answer supplied by the FAA.
Users can purchase a CD to install the software on their computer, or download it directly from the company's Web site. Powerful Learning offers other courses, so keep an eye out for the company to make a bigger entry to the flight training market.
Powerful Learning also offers wholesale arrangements to flight schools, possibly making the software available locally.
Price: $85 for CD; $75 to download
Contact: www.powerful-learning.com; 800-975-1257
Hoodwink view-limiting device
From Aviation Supplies and Academics comes a new view-limiting device for instrument training. The Hoodwink is a collapsible hood that folds to the size of a change purse and easily fits in a pocket. To unfold, simply remove it from the carrying pouch and the metal frame springs open, making the hood ready for use. The small hood resembles a baseball hat with flaps on the side to limit the pilot's view. It fits well on top of a headset's ear seals, meaning it doesn't have to be forced between the ear seals and your ears. This makes the Hoodwink one of the more comfortable view-limiting devices I've worn.
Although the Hoodwink doesn't restrict the outside view as well as a pair of view-limiting glasses, the comfort factor makes up for it. In testing, I was able to see well outside the left window, and a little out the front windscreen near the lower left side of the instrument panel of the Piper Archer I was flying. On the downside, the Hoodwink isn't adjustable, although its metal frame does stretch and alter shape somewhat; because it will fit on top of a headset's ear seals, it should fit most pilots without much trouble.
Price: $16.95
Contact: www.asa2fly.com; 800-272-2359
Sun Flight Avionics Training
There's now a one-stop shop for all things avionics, thanks to Sun Flight Avionics Training. The site, www.sunflightavionics.com, brings together almost every piece of avionics training gear available. This allows potential buyers the ability to comparison shop on everything from Garmin GNS 430 training manuals to books about communication techniques. All the big publishers are present, including Sporty's Pilot Shop, Jeppesen, Aviation Supplies and Academics, Max Trescott, and others. Buyers can even find manuals from manufacturers such as PS Engineering, Lowrance, and Garmin. Searches are easy, and there are preset search categories by manufacturer, equipment type, training method, and model number.
Price: varies based on item
Contact: www.sunflightavionics.com
Airplane Rental Directory
Finding the right airplane to rent can be a major hassle. Between calling all the local flight schools and FBOs, it can take hours to find the type of airplane you're looking for. A new Web site, Rentplanes.com, seeks to make life as a renter a little easier. Looking to finally take the plunge and get that tailwheel endorsement? Simply go to the Web site, type in the name of your airport or city, choose the type of airplane you want to fly, and click search. Airports near and far are listed for maximum choices. The site is also preloaded with choices for common searches, such as single engine, multiengine, seaplane, etc. Though there are limitations--certain known airplanes for rent in the local area weren't listed--it's one of the best central rental resources out there.
Price: free
Contact: www.rentplanes.com
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