Getting Pubs ahead of time

[arbor]

I HOPE it's not as stupid as it sounds, but I know people are occassionally preaching getting a hold of the pubs ahead of time for API / Primary, is a matter of knowing someone who just finished and getting their old stuff? Any help / contributors appreciated, thanks.

 

[PropStop]

I HOPE it's not as stupid as it sounds, but I know people are occassionally preaching getting a hold of the pubs ahead of time for API / Primary, is a matter of knowing someone who just finished and getting their old stuff? Any help / contributors appreciated, thanks.

Do you mean the class pubs or aviation pubs (approach plates, GP and the like)?

I got my class books ahead of time at API, opened them the first day and promptly ignored them the rest of the time. Before starting primary i got my T-34 NATOPS and studied nearly daily - only because I was forced to by the squadron, but it DID pay off. I also got my books early for Advanced (i even studied them of my own volation, I was still a crappy student though).

My advice: forget about getting your books too far in advance of API. If you have no aviation expereince (and you're as dumb as me) it will mean little to you. If you really, REALLY, REALLY! want to study ahead of time, and have the self discipline to do so, more power to you. I'd enjoy the time before API though, you won't get anything quite like it again.

Hope this helps!

 

[diverkr]

I just completed week 4 of API and all of the academics. You do not need to get the books before you start API!! Relax and enjoy your free time before you begin. Especially if you aren't an '04 SNA like me, you just have to pass with an 80%. Just be prepared to buckle down and study once you class up.

 

[bch]

2nd that. Don't worry about studying ahead of time for API. Enjoy the break from college and relax. API is 4 weeks of fire hose, 2 weeks of fun. Don't ruin your "vacation" b4 it starts. U got plenty of time to learn that stuff.

 

[E5B]

I HOPE it's not as stupid as it sounds, but I know people are occassionally preaching getting a hold of the pubs ahead of time for API / Primary, is a matter of knowing someone who just finished and getting their old stuff? Any help / contributors appreciated, thanks.

No it's not as stupid as it sounds. I got ahold of the pubs while at TBS and read them through a couple of times just to get familier with them. Coming from zero aviation background I was pretty nervous about API and flight school in general. Looking back, I felt that I over studied for API.

I just completed week 4 of API and all of the academics. You do not need to get the books before you start API!! Relax and enjoy your free time before you begin. Especially if you aren't an '04 SNA like me, you just have to pass with an 80%. Just be prepared to buckle down and study once you class up.

I'll agree that getting through API without looking at the pubs ahead of time is extremely possible, some of us were looking for the 'security' of knowing what lay ahead. It wasn't tough to learn, just a lot of new info. Don't sweat it if you can't get ahold of the pubs. Once you get to API buckle down and dedicate yourself to learning the info the way THEY want it (ELOs). If you can get ahold of them, good on ya for being prepared!

As for the primary pubs, that's thinking a little too far ahead. Kinda like the guys on here that ask for the T-45 checklist when they haven't even been to OCS yet. You'll more than likely have a wait to start primary that you can use for studying (on the beach). I definitely used the last 2 weeks of API to relax and have fun.

Good luck!

 

[KBayDog]

As for the primary pubs, that's thinking a little too far ahead. Kinda like the guys on here that ask for the T-45 checklist when they haven't even been to OCS yet. You'll more than likely have a wait to start primary that you can use for studying (on the beach). I definitely used the last 2 weeks of API to relax and have fun.

Good advice. You need to unwind and not get too far ahead of yourself.

That said, you can't even get the Primary pubs until you check into the wing. Unless you know some crazy Texan who can hook you up, you're SOL. What you can do, though, is get up to MATSG at Whiting and get yourself a set of EP flash cards. They are MONEY.

You will have a lot of free time during weeks 5&6 of API; don't waste all of it. Take the time to start glossing over the EPs, including all the warnings, cautions, and notes. They will help you understand the systems a little better, and they will make your life a whole lot easier come CPT time if you go in with at least some sort of EP understanding.

 

[bch]

One other thing... Flash cards are great.... that being siad, I find the using pre made flash cards are not as helpful. When you take the time to make your own, it helps to get the EP/Limit/Procedure in your head a lot better. This may not hold true for all, but I would say for most... IE make your own flash cards.

 

[lthackston]

As for the primary pubs, that's thinking a little too far ahead. Kinda like the guys on here that ask for the T-45 checklist when they haven't even been to OCS yet.

Wow, people have done that on here? Getting a bit ahead of the game aren't they?

 

[KBayDog]

One other thing... Flash cards are great.... that being siad, I find the using pre made flash cards are not as helpful. When you take the time to make your own, it helps to get the EP/Limit/Procedure in your head a lot better. This may not hold true for all, but I would say for most... IE make your own flash cards.

There is some truth to this, and for regular knowledge (systems, limitations, etc.) it is a good idea to write your own.

However, I found the EPs are another story. There are so many of them, and they have so many seeminly minor details (that is, minor until you need to know them...) Having a set of ready-made, accurate EP cards saved me a lot of time from writing them out, risking the possibility of making an error, and gave me that time to actually learn them. Best $15 I have ever spent on anything military-related.

 

[Pags]

different strokes...different folks...use whatever works. if you find technical stuff daunting, it might be helpful to look at it a few times before class...but this doesn't mean you need to study 5hrs a day. Spending all your time becoming a whiz wheel ninja really won't help you that much in the long run. you're much better of using your spare time improving your golf game than trying to cram your head full of API knowledge that you're gonna forget 2wks after you're done with it.

 

[KBayDog]

Spending all your time becoming a whiz wheel ninja really won't help you that much in the long run.

No, but it will help you pass the Nav exam. Those of us roks (R-O-C-K...the "C" is silent!) need all the help we can get.

you're much better of using your spare time improving your golf game than trying to cram your head full of API knowledge that you're gonna forget 2wks after you're done with it.

Two weeks?!?! I had forgotten that stuff as I answered each question. By the end of the exam, my brain had been completely "dumped."

 

[Red2]

The pubs are online: https://cnatra.navaltx.navy.mil/cnatra/ppub_nav_air_sch_comm.htm

Warning:The files are huge. I'd recommend not studying in advance, API wasn't too hard.

 

[A4sForever]

Get the Pubs ahead of time??? To reinforce what some others have said:

You fellows can do whatever you want (I know you will anyway ) .... but based on experience --- if you're smart enought to be a Naval Aviator/NFO, pre-study is a waste of time. You'll do fine -- enjoy the time "off" you have now .....

If you're not inherently smart enough --- without pre-study --- all the pre-study in the world won't help. You ain't gonna make it ......

 

[TurnandBurn55]

There's a time and a place to "get ahead"...

For example, you get to Advanced... have your WEPS class at 1400 one day... out at 1700... and at 0600 you're briefing WEPS 1 and 2 flights as an out-and-in...

Should you have gotten ahead in that case? Damn right. Otherwise you're in for a long and painful night of studying for a first cycle brief. The further you get in flight school, the more the onus will be on YOU to study and come to the instructors with questions... not to expect them to spoon-feed you the info.

This, however, is not the mentality of API Is it intensive? Yes. Will you have to study a lot? Yup. Is it really a 'fire hose'? Not really... you'll get all learned-up and do fine if you walk into class with no prior study.

 

[zippy]

I know people are occassionally preaching getting a hold of the pubs ahead of time for API...

As much as I advocated the pre-read/study strategy for the '04 SNAs, its OBE now that the API standards have returned to normal. Save the PDF if you want for when you are really that bored, and don't worry about your books until you get down to API. Go have as much fun as you can handle before you class up- and worry about the studying until you actually start API .