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Improving your skills

On this page is a collection of useful articles, resources and links to help you improve your skills as a pilot.

Articles

These are in PDF format. Right click to save to your computer.

• Keeping a logbook
• Flying with others
• Skills to practise on the ridge
• Setting goals for yourself

Podcasts

Judith Mole has produced a series of podcasts (audio files you can listen to online or on an MP3 player) on various topics, e.g. XC flying, what to do after you’ve got your CP, SIV, mental training, etc. View them here:

Go to podcast page

Webcasts

Similar to the podcasts, except they also use visuals. Currently (July 2010) there are two, covering weather, but more are planned.

Go to webcast page

Pilot and AP Exam - reading list

• BHPA Pilot Manual - BHPA Mark Dale - Covers almost all that is needed to get through
• UK Air Map 500,000 - 2007/8 - CAA - Essential, need to know all the aspects and meanings
• Understanding Flying Weather - Derek Piggott - The ‘bible’
• Meteorology and Flight, Pilot’s guide to weather - Tom Bradbury - Another bible
• The Air Pilots Manual 1 Flying Training - Trevor Thom - Useful in parts for principles of flight
• The Air Pilots Manual 2 Aviation law and Met -Trevor Thom - Good & readable on air law but get an up-to-date one, Met OK too
• The Air Pilots Manual 3 Navigation - Trevor Thom - Thorough but others are better for what we do
• The Air Pilots Manual 4 The Aeroplane, technical - Trevor Thom - Interesting background reading
• Flying Conditions - Dennis Pagen - Pretty good theory and practical base – probably difficult to obtain now
• The Microlight Flying Manual - R D Campbell & J Jones - Good for Air Law, Navigation, Met, Principles of Flight – probably difficult to obtain now
• Hang Gliding Techniques Dennis Pagen - For a deeper understanding of HG flight theory & practise, cheap too
• BHPA DVDs - Various - OK for background, but not the same as reading and LEARNING
• Understanding the Sky - Dennis Pagen - good Meteorology book.

Very good online exam information: http://www.flywight.co.uk/Forms.htm

Pilot and Advanced Pilot exams

For information about the Pilot and AP exams, please email coaching@longmynd.org. Theory topics include Meteorology, Navigation, Flight theory & Instruments, Air law