Question concerning preparation for API

[Pridgen]

Right now I am going to college at VMI and am in the PLC Juniors/Seniors program for the Marine Corps ... I am on track to go to API as an SNA and was wondering if there was anything I could do to help prepare for API as in like study material or what not? I have looked around in books and stuff but haven't really found much of anything. To tell you the truth, I'm really not sure what to even look for. Any help would be much appreciative. Thanks ...

PridgenCL, Virginia Military Institute

 

[squeeze]

increase your alcohol tolerance and save up a lot of singles.

But seriously....you don't need to 'prepare' for API.
1) it's easy enough - people who attrite for academic reasons are few and far between...and if they do, they are pretty stupid
2) you have plenty of time to study during API
3) worry about being in shape for OCS. API is a LONG way off. Cross that bridge when you get to it.

 

[Rainman]

Concur. API doesn't count for anything important and it isn't so challenging compared to other stuff you'll do. Not to say you won't be busy studying and whatnot when you arrive. . . but it really isn't that difficult. Get through OCS and TBS unscathed and you will do fine.

 

[NavyOCS]

Pridgen, these were my thoughts exacty. I was wondering what I could do to prepare for API. Since there is nothing to really "prepare" for would you or do you guys know of any interesting books on aviation and the like.
I heard that as far as flight school is concerned its not as much book study as it is situational awarness. Being able to perform manuevers and everything while theres a million things going on at once.

 

[Rainman]

Hmmmmmmm. .

Well, if you have all the stuff down for OCS / TBS (lots of crap to memorize . . esp for OCS). . . There are a myriad of books you could read if you're feeling motivated. If you're an engineering type you can pick up Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators and learn the nitty gritty of your future professional. .me--my brain doesn't work that way. I preferred books on the Commandant's List to get me motivated for OCS/TBS.

 

[bch]

Pridgen, these were my thoughts exacty. I was wondering what I could do to prepare for API. Since there is nothing to really "prepare" for would you or do you guys know of any interesting books on aviation and the like.
I heard that as far as flight school is concerned its not as much book study as it is situational awarness. Being able to perform manuevers and everything while theres a million things going on at once.

Whoever told you that flight school does not concern a good deal or book study, never went.

There is this thing called NATOPS, IE the big blue sleeping pill ( Systems, EP's, Limits and ranges, among a whole lot more). You will know it well. * Another book called the FTI (Flight Training Instruction) 1 for each phase of flight, you will know them cover to cover. If I remember, there were 4 FTI, each ~100 pages. Also, if you have not read and memorized the books, it is IMPOSSIBLE to have good SA. If you don't have your stuff memorized on the ground, the Tormentor is guarranteed to make you forget it. The best way to increase your SA is to know your procedures cold, so that in the air, it is automatic instead of having to try and figure it out on the fly.

As far as API goes, practice bringing a book to class a following a horribly long power point presentation with a highlighter in the book. If you can do that, you are well prepared for API.

As far as reading engineering books to prepare... API is so incredibly dumbed down that if you go in there knowing too much, it can hurt you. I was an aerospace Eng major, and had to force myself to accept things that I knew to be wrong for the tests. Just remember, it does not matter why or if it is really right, only wether or not it is the answer the navy wants.

 

[rare21]

You will hit that "I believe" button more times than you should.

 

[Pcola04/30]

Thinking back about the last few months...I know that when I got down to P'Cola(and even when I was stashed at my unit after commissioning) I was excited and MOTIVATED to learn about all the crap I was going to be doing for the next bazillion years. I was anxious to learn about being a naval aviator. Then I finally get here and what happens...wait wait wait wait wait and wait some more.....wait for a slot to open up for NOMI :sleep_125 , wait for a slot for BOLTC :sleep_125 , wait for a slot for IFS :icon_smil , wait for a slot for API etc etc....What all that waiting amounted to was a hugh waste of time :icon_rage .
When a slot for something would open up it was like OK guys I need you to read 300 pages by tomorrow and be ready to discuss all the material. It went from emergency brage being fully engaged to redlining the engine trying to reach the desired speed. I couldnt help but think how freakin nasty the Navy's planning was :icon_rage .
The point of my rant is this....I agree you do not need to "prepare" for API or IFS BUT....and a BIG BUT, if you are sitting around in A-Pool(where you go when you first arrive to NAS P'Cola) why not take a half hour to maybe an hour a day and work ahead so that WHEN the next phase of training does start....it is not quite so painful.
What I would recommend to all you highly motivated future SNA's and current A-poolers is a very low key and low effort approach to preparing for the next step. I would read for 20 minutes sometimes 30 or 45 min before I fell asleep 4-5 days a week when I was in A-Pool. I started off reading "Private Pilot Manual" by Jeppesen/Sanderson. This book is issued to you when you start IFS and they teach from it during ground school. I bought the book on my own from Amazon when I was stashed at my unit (i didnt know it was going to be issued to me...but knowing what i know now about all the waiting around I did...I would still have purchased it on my own.....(on a side note I gave my second copy to my aviation LT back at my ROTC unit so that the guys behind me wouldnt have to spring for their own copy, just a thought on what to do with your extra copy )) AND the book is AWESOME...it should be called "Flying for dummies" because it takes you from ground zero and builds you up to a pretty respectable level of aviation knowledge.
Same approach to API...I got my books like 3 weeks before I classed up and just read from them at my leisure.

Now with that said.....ENJOY A-POOL!!!! I am NOT, repeat NOT advocating you freak out and start studying 2-3 hours a day in your senior year of college. Go to the bars...enjoy the beach (except memorial day weekend...stay far far away from pensacola beach...trust me... youll hear all about it when you get here).....have fun when you are in a-pool......but take a small fraction of your time and make the next school you attend that much easier. **steps off soap box**

here is a pic of the Jepp book

 

[lowflier03]

Hey, if you are really curious about API and Primary and how studying goes, find out who LT. Powell's replacement is at the VMI unit, I have been sending them some old books and study materials and info to help you guys know whats coming. API is not nearly as hard as they try and make it out to be.

 

[UncleFester]

There is essentially NOTHING you can do to "prepare" for API, except keep in shape. You can go through the books ahead of time if you like, it can't hurt to have a passing familiarity with the material, but do NOT go nuts trying to burn the material into your brain. Maybe 60% of the material is useful, 75% of that will be on the test, and 10% is utterly useless, and guess what? Right now you have no way of knowing which is which. (Maybe 20% falls into the "useful and interesting for dorks" category) Just relax, enjoy scenic Northwest Florida, hit the gym every so often, don't kill all your brain cells, and enjoy the last time off you'll have for a while. You'll be busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest soon enough.

 

[squeeze]

There is essentially NOTHING you can do to "prepare" for API, except keep in shape. You can go through the books ahead of time if you like, it can't hurt to have a passing familiarity with the material, but do NOT go nuts trying to burn the material into your brain. Maybe 60% of the material is useful, 75% of that will be on the test, and 10% is utterly useless, and guess what? Right now you have no way of knowing which is which. (Maybe 20% falls into the "useful and interesting for dorks" category) Just relax, enjoy scenic Northwest Florida, hit the gym every so often, don't kill all your brain cells, and enjoy the last time off you'll have for a while. You'll be busier than a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest soon enough.

And if those still wanting to be overly-prepared for API would like, I'll gladly mail you ALL my API (and probably even Primary) pubs so long as you pay S&H.