Private Pilot Reading List

Reading list for the student pilot / private pilot

If you are just starting your training for your student pilot / private pilot license, focus initially on just the items marked with a ☆. After your first few lessons, we will discuss when you should add in the other items on this page to your active reading list.

Handbooks and the like (important fundamental reading)

• • ☆ FAA-H-8083-25 - Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (aka PHAK)

  • ☆ FAA-H-8083-3B - Airplane Flying Handbook

  • ☆ POH - Pilot's Operating Handbook appropriate for your training aircraft (generic versions: C172SP w/ Garmin G1000

  • G1000 reading list - add this if you will be training in an aircraft with the G1000 or Cirrus Perspective avionics

  • Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (aka ACS)

Guides, Primers, Courses, Quizzes, Videos, and similar sources of specific information

• • ☆ Pilot Supplies List - Supplies that you will need for your training

  • ☆ Cessna C172SP Start Procedure - Useful if you are flying the C172SP

  • Pattern Guide - Flying the pattern for the beginning pilot

  • Radio Primer - Radio operations for the beginning pilot

  • Runway Safety - An FAA set or Runway Safety Publications

  • Airport Operations - Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 14: Airport Operations

  • Legend for Chart Supplement aka Airport/Facility Directory (full CW SW opens to legend - may not work) - Every pilot should read this to know how to read and decode a chart supplement entry

  • Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide - Everything you need to know about how to read a sectional, terminal, or other chart

  • Airspace Chart - Great one page Airspace-at-a-Glance graphic reference

  • Flying Wisdom - A collection of rules of thumb, wisdom, etc. useful to all pilots

  • Student Pilot Resources from SAFE - Excellent list of resources from SAFE

  • Radio Communication and ATC - Excellent set of resources by AOPA and the Air Safety Institute (you must be a member of AOPA for access)

  • Student Pilot Resources from AOPA - Excellent set of resources by AOPA and the Air Safety Institute (you must be a member of AOPA for access)

  • Airspace Course - A course from the FAA Safety Team all about airspace

Recommended References

You should get these and refer to them when appropriate, but there is no need to read them cover to cover.

• • FAA Regulations Part 61 (Cornell Law School LII version of part 61)

  • FAA Regulations Part 91 (Cornell Law School LII version of part 91)

  • AIM - Aeronautical Information Manual (HTML)

  • FAA Chart Supplement (Legend only) - For California you want the Southwest (CS SW) version

Various FAA Handbooks and related publications

• • FAA Aviation Handbooks & Manuals - In particular, some of the key publications are:

    • Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide

    • Aeronautical Information Manual

    • Airplane Flying Handbook 

    • Aviation Weather Handbook

    • Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

    • Risk Management Handbook (and Risk Management Brochures)

    • Weight & Balance Handbook

Prepare for your FAA Private Pilot Written Exam

• • Gleim FAA Test Prep Online: Private Pilot

Prepare for the oral portion of your checkride

• • Oral Exam Guide: Private (by ASA)