First day.

[Builds By Baz]

Started ground school this morning. A little overwhelming at first, particularly the weather charts, but all very enthralling. Adult learning is a little different. It's been decades since I studied anything and the mind is not the sponge it once was.

 

Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow. Flying starts next week.

 

Baz.

[Moneybox]

2 hours ago, Builds By Baz said:

Started ground school this morning. A little overwhelming at first, particularly the weather charts, but all very enthralling. Adult learning is a little different. It's been decades since I studied anything and the mind is not the sponge it once was.

 

Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow. Flying starts next week.

 

Baz.

Baz, I had they same trouble, information overload. Same with the flying, learning to work hands and feet while adjusting throttle, flaps, trim and all while trying to remember what to say when speaking on the radio. I eventually realised I could only learn one thing at a time. Once I got used to the radio (armchair flying) then I got the next item sorted then the next. I struggled with most things but steadily each procedure just clicked so I stopped stressing over my slow learning and just took it easy until it all just dropped into place. 

 

It took me near 60hrs to get my RPC but a lot of that was due to long delays between flights. Each time was like a new start so I wasted a lot of time and money by getting stuffed around with unnecessary cancellations and delays from the flight schools. Now with about 100hrs up most things are just automatic, no thinking necessary but all those abbreviations and acronyms still confuse me. 

[T510]

11 hours ago, Builds By Baz said:

Started ground school this morning. A little overwhelming at first, particularly the weather charts, but all very enthralling. Adult learning is a little different. It's been decades since I studied anything and the mind is not the sponge it once was.

 

Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow. Flying starts next week.

 

Baz.

I found Pilot Practice Exams ( https://www.pilotpracticeexams.com )and the Bob Tait books worked best for me to lock in the theory. 

 

Doing a bit every day helped me to remember the theory, even if it was just 20 minutes reviewing topics I had found challenging.

 

I also stick "cheat notes" on the wall behind my desk and around my monitor so I can refer to them regularly and help commit them to memory

[red750]

I did my training back in the dark ages of 1968. I took annual leave from work and did a 3 week concentrated course -  classroom morning and afternoon, flying between and after sessions, in a Beech B19 Sport. Two flights per day. Got my Restricted PPL in about 38 hours flight time. Unrestricted took quite a bit longer, done on weekends only as weather permitted.

 

[sfGnome]

12 hours ago, Builds By Baz said:

the mind is not the sponge it once was

I think my mind is getting more spongy as the years roll on… 😵‍💫😝

[facthunter]

You are Only Ab-initio Once. Do it thoroughly or your foundations are weak. There's no need to rush your first solo either.  The "STRAIGHT and  LEVEL" sequence has more in it than the title would Imply. Briefing and debriefing should be  extensive. Talking while you are flying should only what is necessary for safety. UNDERSTANDING is Paramount. Know WHY things are Happening and it's so Much easier. If you not sure , don't be afraid to clarify it with your instructor. That's what HE's there for..It's HIS JOB,  Enjoy the Learning Process. It's stimulating. Set your seat exactly where you want it , keep the seatbelt tight and have the airvent on and windscreen clean.. Nev

[pmccarthy]

Many GA planes used to smell like vomit back then. Not so today.

[facthunter]

Why Bring that up? Nev

[Kiwi]

18 minutes ago, pmccarthy said:

Many GA planes used to smell like vomit back then. Not so today.

You must have flown the plane after I had a lesson.....

[facthunter]

People obviously missed my Joke (two above) I only ever had one Pupil/passenger Perk up. It was his first flight and was in an open cockpit Tiger Moth with No aeros Performed. He was a very accomplished Aeromodeller and RC Pilot. I let him do most of the Flying and Reckon he would have soled very easily, had he chosen to do more flying.  He was also an  excellent Mechanic. Nev

[440032]

3 hours ago, facthunter said:

Why Bring that up? Nev

That joke stinks. (give that man a cigar!)

You should be expelled.

[facthunter]

The Vomit stinks. We had to hose out the Poor tiger Moth and my Friend had Pineapple for Breakfast. All in a days  work. Well actually I was Just a PP then, thinking back. The old Aerodrome at District Park was very small.  Some people from Bankstown had difficulty even landing there. Nev

[Neil_S]

I always carry some "comfort bags" in my plane in a readily accessible location. They're available from Chemist Warehouse and others for a few bucks.  Have been used on two occasions by passengers and were very good. A 3 pack costs $2.44 - a worthwhile investment to avoid cleaning and a smell that lingers for ever.

 

Buy MyTravelPro Travel Sickness Bags 3 Pack online at Chemist Warehouse

WWW.CHEMISTWAREHOUSE.COM.AU

---

Buy MyTravelPro Travel Sickness Bags 3 Pack Online at Chemist Warehouse

 

[max]

On 8/3/2026 at 2:58 PM, Builds By Baz said:

Started ground school this morning. A little overwhelming at first, particularly the weather charts, but all very enthralling. Adult learning is a little different. It's been decades since I studied anything and the mind is not the sponge it once was.

 

Looking forward to day 2 tomorrow. Flying starts next week.

 

Baz.

Congrats on starting ground school, Baz! Weather charts can definitely look overwhelming at first with all the symbols and data, but it all starts clicking after a few sessions. Good luck with day 2 and getting closer to the flying phase next week! 🫂

[BurnieM]

It is a learning process. You learn one thing at a time then move onto the next.

Sometimes it feels like it is taking forever but eventually you get there.

 

If you are not comfortable doing something in the plane then tell your instructor but give it a go anyway.

In 6 months you will wonder what you were worried about.

 

Edited August 6 by BurnieM

[max]

On 05/08/2026 at 2:40 PM, max said:

Congrats on starting ground school, Baz! Weather charts can definitely look overwhelming at first with all the symbols and data, but it all starts clicking after a few sessions. Good luck with day 2 and getting closer to the flying phase next week! 🫂 Visit the website now to start your journey and activate a unique welcome bonus.

By the way, when you hit aviation weather, don't sweat trying to memorize every single symbol right away—focus on understanding the pressure systems and fronts first, since everything else builds on that core logic.