Plan A was to get my private pilot certificate before I deployed.  That didn’t work out.  On the bright side I’ve got $500 sitting on account at the aero club just waiting for me to use it.

Airspace classes, weight and balance, [...]]]> I haven’t been flying in a while.  Since March, to be exact.  Why not?

Plan A was to get my private pilot certificate before I deployed.  That didn’t work out.  On the bright side I’ve got $500 sitting on account at the aero club just waiting for me to use it.

Airspace classes, weight and balance, aerodynamics, charts, weather....

Plan B was to study while I was deployed, take the written upon my return, and finish up.  That also didn’t work out.  The free time I had for studying while deployed was taken up completing a side project…the proceeds from which will go towards flying, ironically.

Plan C, the current plan, is to study and pass the written before I hop back into the cockpit.  While I thought my flying was coming along I’ve felt that my knowledge hasn’t kept pace - something I haven’t been comfortable with.  Studying for the written (and oral) should address that.

Sounds simple enough, right?  After all, I’ve got the Sporty’s DVDs (including study software) and Rod Machado’s “Private Pilot Handbook”, plus additional resources such as Bob Gardner’s “Say Again, Please” and ASA’s “Visualized Flight Maneuvers Handbook”.  And the whole Internet, or at least the portion dealing with flight.

There are a ton of things to learn and the task is daunting.  Honestly, I’m not sure how to approach this.  Do I read, read, read?  Take practice tests repeatedly?  Flashcards?  Sleep with the FAR/AIM under my pillow?

Pilots out there, share your tips please…how did you prepare for and pass the written and oral tests?