Private Pilot Certification – Unit 3 pt. 2

*This is a current project of mine. I am using GMS to memorize a study guide for the FAA Private Pilot Certification test. After taking the 60-lesson course at the School of Phenomenal Memory, this is an example of what you would be able to do.*

I almost forgot to work on this tonight, I’ve been losing track of time with my blog projects 😛 . I split the unit in half, and spent 17 minutes reading and researching the first half. I then spent 13 minutes to memorize it.

Unit 3 – Airports, ATC, and Airspace

3.1 – Runway Markings
3.1.1 – The number at the beginning of the runway indicated the magnetic heading divided by 10 in degrees.
3.1.2 – The Displaced Threshold indicates the start of the landing portion of the runway, as a bold line crossing from one side to the other. The area before the threshold can be used for taxiing, take-off, and landing rollouts.
3.1.3 – Chevrons mark un-usable portions of runway. Not to be used for anything.
3.1.4 – Closed runways are marked with an ‘X’ at the ends of the runway.
3.1.5 – Runway holding position markings are where the pilot must stop before entering the runway. Two solid yellow lines on the pilot’s side with two yellow dashed lines on the runway side.

3.2 – Taxi signs
3.2.1 – Destination signs usually have arrows, and are black writing on yellow background.
3.2.2 – Holding signs are white on red background.

3.3 – Beacons
3.3.1 – If the green/white beacon is on during the day, it is not VFR conditions.
3.3.2 – Heliports are marked with a tri-beacon, green, yellow and white.
3.3.3 – White/White/Green is military
3.3.4 – Click mic 7 times to turn on automated lights.

3.4 – Traffic Patterns
3.4.1 – Left turns at airports without ATC.
3.4.2 – Enter downwind leg at 45 degrees at midpoint.
3.4.3 – Land into the wind as indicated by airsock or other device.
3.4.4 – Segmented Circles
3.4.4a – Show runway orientation
3.4.4b – Show turn patterns for landing
3.4.4c – Show wind direction

3.5 – VASI
3.5.1 – Provides visual descent information.
3.5.2 – Far/Distant VASI system, red lights on top, white on bottom for proper glide-slope.
3.5.3 – Single light: Amber = too high, Green = correct, Red = too low
3.5.4 – PAPI – 4 lights side by side. 4/3 red = too low. 4/3 white = too high. 2 red/2 white = correct.

3.6 – Wake Turbulence
3.6.1 – Vortices are only produced when lift is produced.
3.6.2 – Slow and heavy airplanes produce greatest vortices.
3.6.3 – Vortices spiral outward and upward from wingtips.
3.6.4 – Vortices sink in the air and travel with the wind. Approach and land from above and upwind of large aircraft.

There is, apparently, more information in the second half(I split it up by pages). Tomorrow I’ll finish off Unit 3, and I’ll also be bringing you another Memory Technique. If you are interested in learning how to memorize entire textbooks, read my reviews of GMS and the School of Phenomenal Memory.

Memory Improvement Techniques – Chain Method

The Chain Method is a method for connecting images in your imagination. This is one of the basic skills needed to develop a phenomenal memory. There are a few rules for connecting images that should always be followed when using the Chain Method. As always, keep in mind the four criteria for making good images we talked about last time: Images need to be visualized detailed, large, 3-dimensional, and in color.

1 – Both the first image and the second image need to be the same size. Visualize the images as largely as you can, while still seeing both images at the same time.

2 – The second image needs to be to the right of, on top of, or piercing the first image.

Let’s try an exercise. Visualize a block of cheese. Now, visualize a can of soda. Place the can of soda on top of the block of cheese. Hold the connection in your mind for 6 seconds. Now, let the cheese disappear, and picture a jug of milk on the can of soda. Hold this image for 6 seconds. Let the soda disappear, and picture a stalk of celery piercing through the jug of milk. 6 seconds. Now visualize a carrot on top of the celery. A jar of pickles on the carrot. A bottle of mayonnaise on the jar of pickles. A paper plate on the mayonnaise. A plastic fork on the plate. And lastly, a pair of sunglasses on the fork.

Now, go through in your mind, starting with the cheese. Can you see the next image? If so, examine the soda, and see what was on it. Continue through the list. Don’t try to guess what was next, just look at the images in your mind. If something seems to be missing, go back, and view the two images together again for 6 seconds. When you can go through the entire list in order, I want you to try something else. Look at the sunglasses. What are they on? What is the fork on? The plate? You should now be able to recall the list, in perfect order, forward, and backward. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

You might get mixed results trying this. You might be doing something not quite right. I said earlier that both images need to be the same size, large. There’s probably a good chance that the can of soda wasn’t nearly so large as the jug of milk. You might have visualized them about the same size that they are in real life. What you actually want is for the jug of milk to be very large, like a 50-gallon barrel that you are looking at from 6 feet away. The can of soda should be just as big. We’ll talk about the why later, just trust me for now.

Now this is very important, and this is the difference between the techniques offered in the GMS Manual, and the training course offered by the School of Phenomenal Memory. If you made one little mistake in the chain method, that mistake would compound, and by the time you started trying to memorize college-level textbooks, you would have *severe* difficulties. One theoretical mistake can ruin your chances at really developing a phenomenal memory. Because of this, the Phenomenal Memory Course contains guided, step-by-step instructions and exercises, along with personal help from instructors whenever you need it, to ensure that you don’t handicap yourself.

Everybody will have different results with exercises like this, because your success is based off of your understanding of the techniques, your visualization ability, your ability to control where your attention is directed, your physical health, and a few other factors. Everything needed is addressed in the Phenomenal Memory Course. For now, have fun with what you’ve learned, and keep coming back as we explore the memory and your potential together.

Private Pilot Certification – Unit 3

*This is a current project of mine. I am using GMS to memorize a study guide for the FAA Private Pilot Certification test. After taking the 60-lesson course at the School of Phenomenal Memory, this is an example of what you would be able to do.*

Getting new blogs started sure can take up a lot of your day. Today I read through unit 3 of my study guide, familiarized myself with the new terms with some quick research, and memorized the sub-unit headings. Ended up taking 21 minutes tonight for this(includes reading and research time):

Unit 3 – Airports, Air Traffic Control, and Airspace
3.1 – Runway Markings
3.2 – Taxiway Signs
3.3 – Beacons and Runway Lights
3.4 – Traffic Holding Patterns
3.5 – VASI Lights
3.6 – Wake Turbulence
3.7 – Collision Avoidance
3.8 – ATIS and Ground Control
3.9 – Class D Airspace
3.10 – Class C Airspace
3.11 – Terminal Radar
3.12 – Transponder Codes
3.13 – Radio Phraseology
3.14 – ATC Traffic Advisories
3.15 – Light Signals
3.16 – ELT
3.17 – LAHSO (Land and Hold Short Operations)

The GMS Manual

What is the GMS Manual?
The GMS Manual contains the theoretical material behind the Giordano Memorization System. However, and this is the really cool part, it also contains all of the techniques used in the system, for free!

Often I hear something along these lines: ‘Why would you pay money for a memory training course when you can learn memory techniques for free on the internet?’. It’s true, you can ‘learn’ all these techniques for free on the internet. But knowing the techniques isn’t enough. Just knowing about the Cicero(loci) method isn’t enough to allow you to memorize textbooks, names and phone numbers, foreign alphabets/words/grammar. A phenomenal memory is a skill-set dependent on knowledge of the techniques required for systematic memorization, retention, and recollection of material; visualization ability; attention stability; mental capacity; physical health; and motivation.

Read the GMS manual. Look at the techniques in the last portion of the book, and test them out. Memorize your shopping list, and amaze yourself when you can recall it perfectly in reverse order. If the School of Phenomenal Memory Website gives all this information away for free, just imagine how good the course is. I read the manual, and I took the course. Looking back, I would do it again without missing a heartbeat.

Memory Improvement Techniques – Visualization

I’m going to be starting a series of easily-applicable memory-improvement articles. Before we get started though, I need to tell you some things about visualization.

Visualization is the basis of memorization in GMS. All data is encoded into visual images, which are very easily manipulated, connected, and memorized. There are some very important guidelines you need to keep in mind whenever you use GMS.

1 – Images must be detailed.

This is very important. When you see things around you, your mind looks at the details, and creates the ‘big picture’ images as a culmination of all the details. Things in your peripheral vision are blurry because your eye isn’t able to focus on the details of that item, so it can’t create a detailed image.

Now, the visual processing center is capable of receiving input from your conscious thought as well. In essence, you can visualize to the same degree as you see; with the same clarity, color, detail, etc… It’s just a matter of learning how. Since we understand that the mind puts together what we see by looking at the details, it makes sense that the same method should be used to create vivid imagery.

Picture a quarter. Try to see in your imagination the ridges around the edge. Try to see the copper color along the edge different from the silver color on the face. Try to see the face and the writing. Every image you ‘build’ in your mind, you should do this process. Try to see the texture, color, and as many details as possible. With practice you will be able to visualize images that are increasingly vivid and life-like.

2 – Images must be large.

When I say large, I mean *large*. Visualize the quarter again. Picture it as being about 6 feet in front of you. Picture it as being three feet across, and 6 inches thick. Now, try to picture it larger. Keep enlarging it until you ‘lose sight’ of the entire image. That’s how large your images should be, all the time. The main reason, is because the larger the image, the larger the details. The larger the details, the more vivid the image.

3 – Images must be 3-dimensional.

Picture your quarter again. You should be able to rotate it in your mind. Stand it on edge. Look at the ‘tails’ side. Every image should be realistic, 3-dimensional.

4 – Images must be in color.

Even if you have a hard time visualizing color, decide what color an image is. Decide what color the details are. Try your best to see it ‘in color’.

Now, this can seem time-consuming. To ‘create’ an image of a quarter that fits these guidelines might take you 10 seconds. That’s ok, do it. As you practice, you’ll be able to create detailed images faster.

I am happy to share these memory improvement tips with you, but I want you to understand that learning these techniques that I’ll be sharing isn’t enough. If you really want to be able to memorize textbooks, or learn foreign languages in a matter of months, or be able to meet 20 people and remember every single name… these skills take training. The Phenomenal Memory Course contains all the training you need. 60 step-by-step lessons, with additional articles, exercises, and community support to allow you to truly develop a phenomenal memory. The course can be completed as quickly as 2 months. It’s not a magic pill or a quick-fix. Like everything worthwhile, it takes dedication and practice. If you want to dramatically improve your memory, and improve your life, think about it. Ask me any questions you would like, I’ll be happy to help 🙂

Private Pilot Certification – Unit 2, part Deux

*This is a current project of mine. I am using GMS to memorize a study guide for the FAA Private Pilot Certification test. After taking the 60-lesson course at the School of Phenomenal Memory, this is an example of what you would be able to do.*

Alright, I got some time today to finish memorizing unit two, so here it goes:

Unit 2 – Airplane Instruments, Engines, and Systems

2.1 – Compass Turn Error
2.2 – Pitot Static System
2.3 – Airspeed Indicator
2.4 – Altimeter
2.5 – Types of Altitude
2.6 – Setting The Altimeter
2.6.1 – Increasing the pressure will increase the indicated altitude, and vice-versa.
2.6.2 – Every 1 inch of pressure change equates to approx. 1000 ft change in reading.

2.7 – Altimeter Error
2.7.1 – When the temperature drops, the indicated altitude will rise, and vice-versa.
2.7.1 – When the pressure drops, the indicated altitude will rise, and vice-versa.

2.8 – Gyroscopic Systems
2.8.1 – Attitude indicator shows the relationship between the airplane and the horizon.
2.8.2 – Turn Coordinator shows the roll and yaw of the airplane.
2.8.3 – Heading indicator shows which heading you are on, but needs to be set to the magnetic compass periodically.

2.9 – Engine Temperature
2.9.1 – Excessive heat can cause power loss, excessive oil consumption, and excessive engine wear.
2.9.2 – Excessive heat in the cylindrical heads and oil can be caused by:
2.9.2a – Excessive power
2.9.2b – Climbing too steeply and slowly in the heat.
2.9.2c – Using fuel with too low an octane.
2.9.2d – Using too lean a mixture.
2.9.2e – Not having enough oil.
2.9.3 – Excessive heat can be reduced by reversing any of the above problems. Dropping power, climbing less, changing the mixture, fuel, oil.

2.10 – Constant Speed Propellers
2.10.1 – The pitch of the propeller is adjustable.
2.10.2a – Throttle controls the power.
2.10.2b – Propeller Control changes the RPM.
2.10.3 – Don’t use high pressure(power) and low RPM.

2.11 – Ignition System
2.11.1 – Dual ignition system provides enhanced performance.
2.11.1a – Also provides enhanced safety.
2.11.2 – Loose or damaged wires can cause problems. For instance:
2.11.2a – Broken ground wire can cause engine shutoff difficulties.
2.11.2b – In this case, change mixture to idle cut-off to stop engine.

2.12 – Carburetor Icing
2.12.1 – More Susceptible in Float-carburetor engines than fuel-injection.
2.12.1a – Float carburetor engines intake air through a narrow venturi tube, creating low pressure at the fuel intake, pulling fuel into the carburetor.
2.12.2 – First sign of carburetor icing is decreased RPM.
2.12.3 – Icing occurs between 20 and 70 degrees F with visible moisture/high humidity.
2.12.4 – Turning on carb heat will decrease RPM further when warmer air enters engine, and as the ice melts the RPM will rise again.

2.13 – Carburetor Heat
2.13.1 – With heat on, the mixture can be leaned.
2.13.2 – Heat will cause decreased engine output and increased operating temperature.

2.14 – Fuel Air Mixture
2.14.1 – At higher altitudes the mixture should be leaned.
2.14.2 – During run-up at high-elevation airports, mixture should also be leaned if engine roughness is present.

2.15 – Abnormal Combustion
2.15.1 – Detonation occurs when the mixture explodes instead of burning evenly.
2.15.2 – This can be caused by too low of an octane, or too high of an engine temperature.
2.15.3 – Lower the nose during climb-out after take off if you think detonation is occuring.
2.15.4 – Pre-ignition is the firing of the mixture before the spark ignition.

2.16 – Airplane Fuel Practices
2.16.1 – Higher octane is better than lower octane.
2.16.2 – Filling fuel tanks at the end of the day is better than in the morning to reduce condensation in the tanks.
2.16.3 – Fuel strainer drains and fuel tank sumps should be drained to drain excess water before starting the engine.
2.16.4 – If the engine fuel pump dies, the electrical auxiliary fuel pump is used.

2.17 – Starting the Engine
2.17.1 – After starting the engine the RPM should be set and gauges checked.
2.17.2 – If starting an engine by hand, an experienced pilot should be behind the controls.

2.18 – Electrical System
2.18.1 – The alternator provides more electricity at low RPM than a generator.
2.18.2 – If the battery and alternator die, the avionic systems will be lost.

So that’s it for unit two. I spent another hour on it today, so that’s about 2 hours for unit two. This isn’t about speed memorization for me, I want to make sure that I really understand things. This slows me down a little when I run into terms like float-carburetors and fuel tank sumps, but yields a better understanding in the end.

It’s just the greatest thing to me to be able to memorize so easily now. I can now recite the first two units of this book forward and backward, or start anywhere in between. I took a look at the questions at the ends of the chapters, and they are almost word for word with the study guide and what I’ve memorized. I can’t wait to take the exam, it’s going to be such a breeze.

Lost in the Airport Parking Lot

I never liked parking in large lots, like at an airport. ‘Let’s see, we parked on level 4, section AA3-Blue-R. Got it’. I was always afraid of losing my car and dying of starvation in the parking lot. Luckily, that never happened, but I was always afraid it would…

Well, a few months ago, I found myself in the airport lot again. Economy parking, Blue Section C6, 3 rows from the sign, and 5 spots in. The funny thing was that I looked up at that sign, and almost without thinking of it, I memorized exactly where I was. I saw a blueberry on the sign, with a cigarette poking through it and an axe buried in the post. That was enough for me, and I confidently got on the shuttle. When I got back late the next day, I wasn’t worried at all. I didn’t have to write down where I parked on a scrap of paper and hope I still had it… So I got back on the shuttle, went to Blue section C6, moved down 3 rows and 5 spots.

It’s a little thing… but I love not having to worry about the little things 🙂

I’ve posted this experience, and many others in the past over at the School of Phenomenal Memory Forum.

Private Pilot Certification – Unit 2

I woke up very excited today, I like having something to look forward to like this. The first thing I did when I woke up was to run through the images for what I had memorized yesterday. I had created a series of support images to hold the information in the same order as it is in my study guide. To review, all I needed to do was make sure I could still see in my mind the images that were connected to these supports. Even in my groggy state, this only took a minute, and everything was where it was supposed to be.

Now, in GMS there are two different levels of memorization. Most is memorized to a normal level… after 4 days of review like this morning, I’ll have it fixed for a minimum of 6 weeks. I say minimum because there was something I memorized, and 6 months later, without reviewing it once, I still knew it. However, after 6 weeks, some of the visual connections will start to weaken and fade, so it’s just a safe number to work with.

Anything I want to keep for a lifetime, however, I can memorize to a reflex level. This would take 3 or 4 reviews every day for 3 or 4 days. Once something is memorized to a reflex level, I won’t have to review it anymore to keep it in my memory.

Unit 2 – Instruments, engines, and systems
2.1 – Compass Turn Error
2.1.1 – Magnetic compass’s are accurate only during constant, straight and level flight.
2.1.2 – A magnetic compass in an airplane will deviate from one on the ground.
2.1.3 – On an east-west heading, the compass will point too far north while accelerating, and too far south while decelerating.
2.1.4 – A compass will lag behind the turn when turning from north, and lead the turn when turning from south.
2.1.5 – These errors diminish when the turns/acceleration is completed.

2.2 – Pitot Static System
2.2.1 – The Pitot Static System provides pressure for the altimeter, vertical speed indicator, and the airspeed indicator.
2.2.2 – The Pitot Tube provides ram pressure for the airspeed indicator only.
2.2.3 – If the pitot tube becomes clogged, the airspeed indicator will not function properly. If the static vents become clogged, neither the altimeter, vertical speed indicator, nor airspeed indicators will function properly.

2.3 – Airspeed Indicator
2.3.1 – Color coding for the airspeed indicator.
2.3.1a – White: Full flaps operating range.
2.3.1b – Green: Normal operating range.
2.3.1c – Yellow: Operating range in smooth air only.
2.3.1d – Red: Maximum speed in any condition.
2.3.2 – There is also a maximum maneuvering speed, the maximum speed at which full controls deflection can occur without structural damage. This speed is not marked.(I wonder why? Seems like an important thing to know!)

2.4 – Altimeter
2.4.1 – Altimeters have three hands.
2.4.1a – Long hand = 100 ft.
2.4.1b – Medium hand = 1,000 ft.
2.4.1c – Short hand = 10,000 ft.
2.4.2 – Altimeter numbers show from 0-9.

2.5 – Types of Altitude
2.5.1 – Absolute Altitude is the altitude above the ground surface.
2.5.2 – True Altitude is the altitude above the mean sea level.
2.5.3 – Density Altitude is the pressure altitude adjusted for non-standard temperatures.
2.5.4 – Pressure Altitude is the altitude above the standard plane of 29.92in. mercury.
2.5.5 – Pressure Altitude and Density Altitude are the same at standard temperature.
2.5.6 – Indicated Altitude and True Altitude are the same under standard conditions.
2.5.7 – Pressure Altitude and True Altitude are the same under standard conditions(29.92 in. mercury, 15 degrees C )

2.6 – Setting the Altimeter
2.7 – Altimeter Errors
2.8 – Gyroscopic Systems
2.9 – Engine Temperature
2.10 – Constant Speed Propeller
2.11 – Engine Ignition System
2.12 – Carburator Icing
2.13 – Carburator Heat
2.14 – Fuel/Air Mixture
2.15 – Abnormal Combustion
2.16 – Airplane Fuel Practices
2.17 – Starting the Engine
2.18 – Electrical System

I spent another hour on this today. First I read through the headings of the unit, and memorized them. Those are the 18 sub-units listed. Once I finished with that, I started reading each sub-unit and filling in the points.

The School of Phenomenal Memory

Hi, my name is Zachary. I have been lucky enough to have stumbled across a memory improvement system that has changed my life. Here, I will be sharing my experiences. You can see my projects that I am currently working on. I will be memorizing textbook, learning foreign languages, and increasing my general knowledge through memorization. I will also be sharing memory improvement tips and techniques. You can read more about me here, if you would like :D.

If you are interested in drastically improving your memory, I strongly urge you to read my reviews of the School of Phenomenal Memory Course and the Giordano Memorization System. The skills that I have learned, allowing me to complete my projects, are invaluable to me. I consider myself  blessed to have developed my phenomenal memory.

As an instructor of the online course I invite you to head on over to the Phenomenal Memory Forums. You can read the testimonials and test results of current and past students, ask questions of our students or instructors, discuss memory with us, or just join the community 🙂

Were you paying attention?

I was at a local dance this last weekend, and I met an interesting girl. We ended up going to watch a movie with some other friends of mine. It turned out well, and after the movie, we walked around town for a while, just talking. I didn’t hardly even notice myself doing it, but as I listened to her, I was encoding things I was learning about her into visual images and memorizing them. Just simple things, like how she loves daisies, used to play soccer(left wing half-back, and a little goalie), is starting to learn the guitar, and that she loves Italy and wants to travel there. She gave me her phone number when I took her home, and I memorized that as well, but I’m not going to post it for you 😛

It’s just nice. A year ago, I would have a hard enough time remembering a girl’s name, had I just met her, let alone the entire conversation we had and her phone number. It helps me to feel more sincerely interested in someone when everything they say doesn’t just pass through one ear and out the other. It’s great that I can memorize entire books if I so desire, but even more important to me is the improvement in quality of life by not having to stress over the simple things.