INRAT study materials

[Boratt]

I recently wrote my INRAT (aeroplane) and wanted to throw up a post on my experience for those who are still planning on writing the exam or for instructors trying to help their students along.

I started off by using Accelerated Aviation's books (ground school and practice exams) along with the regular required materials (ie. AIM, CAP, CAP GEN, IPM, several weather books etc...). While AA's stuff is good, I found it dreary and not at all the kind of studying that I could relate to. I know it's the conventional way of doing it, but I couldn't get my mind wrapped around the subject!

Then I found out a neat little piece of software produced by Dauntless Aviation. My wife had bought me an ipad for my birthday so I figured I'd get their ipad app (they have android apps as well as PC based software ontop of the IOS apps).
They have developed an INRAT app with everything you need to study including charts, plates, and relevant sections from the CARs all built into this app.
There are about 1000 questions, all of which are constantly updated, that you can practice on.
You can study in several different modes. One mode lets you read through all the questions along with a description of why answer B is incorrect and why answer D is correct. It includes color pictures, diagrams, and well written explanations (OK, I'm a little slow in the head so this is why I really love this app!).

Another study mode lets you select the number of questions that you want (I always tried to select 50 questions to reflect the actual exam) and then it will grade your answers as you go or at the end, depending on what you prefer.
When it grades your practice exams, you have the option of going through every single question you answered and it will tell you why you got question X correct and why you got question XX incorrect along with the usual color diagrams (I know, I know I'm a little dumb!), CARs exerpts, plates, or charts as applicable.

It has a databse of approximately 1000 questions which I found to be absolutely marvelous (OK, I'm starting to sound like one of their own marketing employees or something).
I would take my ipad with me everywhere and practice questions whenever I had time; in the waiting room at the doctor's office, waiting in the car for my wife to finish shopping, on lunch break, after dinner in the evenings, just whenever and whereever I could get a few questions in.
This was a definite advantage over the conventional book study that most of us are used to.

I waited until I was getting consistent 75% practice exam scores then called TC to book the INRAT.
I was ovrjoyed when I passed the INRAT with a 82% score!
In my mind, this goes to show how good their material is. The only extra material I used along with their app was the CAP and CAP GEN, but only for cross-refrencing now and then. The app by itself is made to be used as a stand along material, which is awesome.

So there you go, shoot me down if you wish.
I know I'm a little daft and slow in the head, but this app really changed how I look at written exams.
Dauntless is currently working on software for the TC CPL and ATPL exams, but nothing as of yet. They do have the software for the REC, PPL, and INRAT.

They also have material for CPL and ATPL for other licencing bodies (JAA, FAA and what-not).

Check them out people! If you're a lone student or if you're an instructor, pass this on!
Check out their Canadian page at: http://www.dauntless-soft.com/Canada/

Fly safe,

Boratt

[photofly]

OK, I'm starting to sound like one of their own marketing employees or something

Yes, you are.


There are quite a lot of questions in their database that are on material that's not covered in the INRAT. A whole load of stuff on commercial ops, commercial approach bans etc.

[rapid602]

I mentioned this software before ... you can get it at www.canadapilot.com

I purchased it for the desktop/laptop and I thought it was the best money I ever spent on Study Material. Glad to hear someone else liked it as much as I did. Congrats on the pass.

Someone in here asked me if I was getting a kickback from these guys as well. Thanks for posting that you liked it.

[Boratt]

OK, I'm starting to sound like one of their own marketing employees or something

Yes, you are.


There are quite a lot of questions in their database that are on material that's not covered in the INRAT. A whole load of stuff on commercial ops, commercial approach bans etc.

Yes, you're right. A lot of comm ops and com approach bans in their material. I found that it stuck in my head pretty well. I'm sure it will come in handy one day.

@ Rapid602: right on!

[rapid602]

another point to add is that you can continue to use this infomation... you can click on update every three months or so and you will have updated info. I still refer to mine two years after I purchased it. Your books are out of date the minute you get them.

Fly safe

[Daveee]

Great job!
Planning to write the INRAT late this month, quite happy to hear that feedback on the Dauntless app. I also got the IFR Sharper's edge (2012)... did anyone used this book?

[Boratt]

Hi Daveee,

I've never used Sharper's material; sorry, can't comment there.....

All the best on your INRAT though!!!

[DaveC]

Dauntless' stuff was pretty good (for $20 it's worth it).

I highly recommend the Aerocourse work book. I'd say 25% of the questions on this exam are actually on the INRAT. I got 76% when I wrote a couple of months back.

[Sighter]

Just wrote my inrat today. 82% Used the Dauntless and the Sharpers Edge. Quite a few times I found the Sharpers edge not explaining things that needed to be, or they would ask questions in the practice exams that were not covered in the chapter.
Transport Canada does their testing on computers now so the Dauntless was helpful preparing for that. I found myself selecting show me the explanation only for wrong answers immediately, and doing 20 questions wind sprints when ever I had a few minutes.

I'm renewing my instrument after being away from flying for over a decade so some material was new but GPS is pretty simple. Blew three questions not being able to read a GFR weather map correctly.

Anyway I'm in the Sim Tomorrow and start back in the Dutchess Monday.

For what it's worth if your thinking about writing your INRAT ground time with an instructor is fine, ($), but if you can find another pilot who is also studying for the INRAT and compare notes it would have been a big help. The best way to understand something is to try and explain it to someone else. I studied with a couple of guys for my Commercial back in the 90's and really missed the group effort this time around. Everyone has different strengths.

[Tail-Chaser]

I used Sharper Edge for the INRAT as well and agree with Sighter. There were times when a question left me scratching my head with no end in sight. Would still recommend the books for prep. It had decent review sections covering CARs, navigation, etc.