Resources

Disclaimer! I no longer keep this page up-to-date so some of the links may be broken and some of the references may be outdated. This page was last updated in 2021.

Training for a new pilot certificate? These are going to be your must have resources:

Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

Airplane Flying Handbook

Pilot’s Operating Handbook

Sectional Chart

Terminal Area Chart

Chart Supplement

Airman Certification Standards

FAR/AIM

A couple other things that you will need during your training:

Medical Certificate – Before you can solo the airplane, you’ll need to obtain a 3rd class medical (or a 1st class medical if you plan on going to the airlines) from an Aviation Medical Examiner. It’s like a typical physical, they review/check your medical history, eye sight, hearing, etc. Click here to find an examiner near you.

Student Pilot Certificate – Also before you solo, you will need to apply for a student pilot certificate from the FAA on this website. It’s free and just takes a couple of weeks to process. Whoever is your primary instructor will need to validate this information. First, register for an account, then create an application for a student pilot certificate.

Ground School – You will need to pass the FAA Knowledge Test for Private Pilot before your check ride. I highly suggest an online ground school to prepare you for the written test and to supplement your textbook reading. The courses typically will give you the endorsement to take the knowledge test once you complete the course. If it does not, let me know. Here are some of the online ground schools. I suggest checking out the demos and seeing which one you like the best:

  • Gold Seal Online Ground School
  • Sporty’s
  • King’s Schools
  • Dauntless Aviation
  • Gleim
  • ASA
  • & more

Other Useful Resources:

Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual

Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook

Say Again, Please

Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook

Live ATC – Lets you listen to airport frequencies worldwide (also includes an archive so you can listen to your radio communications during your flight). www.liveatc.net

Bold Method – Consists of many educational articles on everything aviation. www.boldmethod.com

Skyvector – Displays the latest aeronautical maps. Plus TFRs, NOTAMs, weather conditions and fuel prices. www.skyvector.com

Flightradar24 – Track aircraft in real time as they travel across the world. www.flightradar24.com

Airnav – Provides information on a specific airport and navaids similar to a chart supplement. www.airnav.com

METARs/TAFs Flight service – Shows the current and forecasted weather over selected locations. 1800wxbrief (1-800-992-7433) is both a phone number and website. They provide a legal weather briefing and will be utilized when you do cross country flight planning. www.1800wxbrief.com

KRHV ATIS Phone Number – (408) 923-7100 (call and listen, it’s a good practice).

AOPA – Online courses, free 6 month student membership to access the courses. www.aopa.org

Additional Helpful Articles and Files:

List of Helpful Advisory Circulars & FAA Orders

Aviation Weather

Thunderstorms

Aircraft Ground Handling

Aviation Weather Services

ASRS

Windshear

Mountain Winds

Aircraft Icing & Deicing

Aeronautical Decision Making

English Language Skills Standard

Instructor Endorsements

Stall & Spin Awareness

BFR & IPC Guide

High Altitude, High Speed Flight

CFIT Awareness

Aviation Training Devices

BasicMed

Wake Turbulence

Midair Collision Avoidance

Non-Towered Airport Flight Operations

RNAV Operations

Using RNAV on Approaches

Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft

G-Force Effect on Pilots

TFR’s

Part 91 Minimum Equipment

Single Pilot Taxiing

Flight in Icing Conditions

Ultralight Vehicle Operations

Airport Markings

Flight Services

Air Traffic Control

AC 00-6B

AC 00-24C

AC 00-34A

AC 00-45H

AC 00-46F

AC 00-54

AC 00-57

AC 20-117

AC 60-22

AC 60-28B

AC 61-65H

AC 61-67C

AC 61-98D

AC 61-107B

AC 61-134

AC 61-136B

AC 68-1A

AC 90-23G

AC 90-48D

AC 90-66B

AC 90-100A

AC 90-108

AC 90-109A

AC 91-61

AC 91-63D

AC 91-67

AC 91-73B

AC 91-74B

AC 103-6

AC 150/5340-1M

JO 7110.10BB

JO 7110.65Z

AC 120-115

Make sure you have up to date airport diagrams! You can download and print the latest airport diagrams by clicking here.

and also check out AeroDynamic’s page on helpful documents & resources:

www.aerodynamicaviation.com/members_docs/