just wondering if my old training books will still be ok for my theory tests? I was training in '06 but i'm sure I read that the books were '03 editions then.. Has anything major changed particularly with the air law? I know about the new ATSOCAS so will skip past the applicable sections containing old information. Don't think the way the weather works or the way you navigate would have changed much so I was thinking I could possible get away without buying a new set and keep the extra cash for a lesson!
I would suggest purchasing an up to date 'Air Law' and 'Radio Telephony'. Both of these have changes. The CAP 413 (Radio Telephony) is downloadable free from the CAA website. Also, although the weather doesn't change, the format of the weather charts F215 and the TAF's have, so maybe the latest meteorology as well.
Hi Rog thanks for the reply.
Has alot changed with the Air Law and RT (apart from the new services with RT)? I may just buy the new book because they are both incorperated into one book I beleive? Also i've just looked at a few TAFs and F215s on the metoffice site and notice the changes (each change period has a date on it now which it didn't before if i remember them right) but they seem pretty straight forward to understand and the abbreviations are the same (don't know if they ever change these?)
Thanks again!
I am not sure when it changed, but I recall it was about 2003 time. That was the minimum height to be flown over a built up area, and also over a crowd gathering of people. If I remember correctly it used to be 1500ft and 3000ft respectively, but it changed about that time to 1000ft. The RT also had a few new phrases added such as 'Fanstop' and 'Climbing away' etc for use in an Engine Failure After Take Off exercise.
(apologies if they are not 100% to the letter, but I think you will find there are subtle differences)
I didn't know any of rule 5 had changed. When I was flying back in 2006-2007 I was still taught the 1500ft and land clear rule for a built up area, but I have just found the amendment online. I'm at the flying school on Sunday so I will pick up a new book.
Thanks
An aircraft must not fly over a congested area (ie town etc.):
Below a height that it would allow it to land clear of the area and without danger to people or property if an engine fails; or less than 1000 feet above the highest fixed object within 600 metres of the aircraft, whichever is the higher. If the aircraft is towing a banner, the height must be calculated on the basis that the banner is not dropped within the congested area if an engine fails.
Large Open-Air Gatherings:
No aircraft may fly below 1000 feet or within 1000 metres of an open-air gathering of more than 1000 people except with the permission in writing of the Authority (the CAA) and in accordance with any conditions specified, and with the written consent of the organisers; nor may it fly below a height that would enable it to land clear of the assembly if an engine failed. If towing a banner, the banner shall not be dropped within 1000 metres of the assembly.
Also I was told that some of flight performance and planning had changed (aswell as the changes in air law). Just wondering what has changed here? Is it saftey margins used etc.. because I can't see what else would have changed in the way you plan the performance of your a/c. It's obviously covered a little by navigation and also the main flight planning book.
I really don't know :S Well the performance of a/c is dependant on the a/c, field, weather etc... so that can't really change. Weight and C of G again depends on aircraft and loading so I can't see how calculations for that would change. The only thing I can think of is take off and landing distance factors (for example grass factors, slope factors etc..) that could possibly change and I don't see why they would change anyway. Maybe like you say it's in relation to the air law changes but that can be interpreted in your calculations and I wouldn't need to buy a new book for that OR maybe someone was just trying to con me into buying a new nav and performance book.. I'll have a chat with someone in the school tomorrow and see if they know what has changed, it was the head CFI there that told me something "within flight planning and performance that was partially covered by nav" had changed.
I'll let you know if I find out what it is that has suposedly changed.
24/03/2009, 1:40 PM
