Talk:Becoming a Private Pilot

New title
The book title is not very descriptive. Might there be a better name you can think of? - Aya T C 22:03, 11 August 2005 (UTC)


 * I've renamed this book to "Becoming a Private Pilot". - Aya T C 22:12, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

Sounds good to me -ppragman


 * I've also fixed your Wikipedia links. Have a look at WB:NP when you want to create subpages. If you need any more help, drop me a message on my talk page. Thanks. - Aya T C 22:22, 11 August 2005 (UTC)

If this article is to be of practical use, I recommend that the focus be placed primarily on more generalized and academic private pilot information as opposed to specific procedures, as someone who has not yet begun their training as a private pilot will little context or use for such information, while someone who has already begun their training should have access to more accurate and reliable sources. --67.123.165.163 02:20, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

all right, i'm going to revise it all a little as we go, but eventually, i'd like to have created a resource on the web that could give you all the stuff they put in those expensive training books, for free! I dunno, maybe it won't be that easy. Should I make a table of contents to organize this stuff, or should I simply remove it? --ppragman 8:39, 14 August 2005 (AKST)


 * No point in removing it. It's still good content. - Aya T E C 17:38, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

Many public, free sources of information about learning to fly are already available, especially for those who want to earn a pilot certificate, add a rating, or learn more about flying in the U.S. For example:

For information about learning to fly, see:

AOPA Learn to Fly page: http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/)

AOPA Flight Training Learn to Fly: http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/ Be a Pilot: http://www.beapilot.com/indexfl.html

The FAA offers many complete, public-domain training handbooks for free download in PDF format. These books are the official references for many pilot certificates and ratings. You can find the current list at: http://www.faasafety.gov/onlineresources.aspx?categoryId=47&masterId=1

The following books available via the previous link are of particular interest:

The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25) is for aviators training for a private pilot certificate-and for pilots who want to refresh their knowledge of the fundamentals. It introduces pilots to the theory and practical knowledge they will need as they progress in their pilot training from aerodynamics, engines, flight instruments, and navigation to avionics, weather, and airspace.

This 352-page handbook is available for download in PDF format in four parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4).

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/

Contents Chapter 1-Aircraft Structure Chapter 2-Principles of Flight Chapter 3-Aerodynamics of Flight Chapter 4-Flight Controls Chapter 5-Aircraft Systems Chapter 6-Flight Instruments Chapter 7-Flight Manuals and Other Documents Chapter 8-Weight and Balance Chapter 9-Aircraft Performance Chapter 10-Weather Theory Chapter 11-Weather Reports, Forecasts, and Charts Chapter 12-Airport Operations Chapter 13-Airspace Chapter 14-Navigation Chapter 15-Aeromedical Factors Chapter 16-Aeronautical Decision Making

The Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3A) is the hands-on, how-to guide to flying all the maneuvers required for the private pilot and commercial pilot certificates. It is designed to assist student pilots learning to fly airplanes and to help current pilots and flight instructors expand their knowledge and skills. It's also one of the official references that pilot examiners use when testing the flying skills of pilots who are taking check rides.

This 210-page handbook is available for download in seven parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, and Part 7) in PDF format.

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

Contents Chapter 1-Introduction to Flight Training Chapter 2-Preflight, Postflight, and Ground Operations Chapter 3-Takeoffs and Climbs Chapter 4-Basic Flight Maneuvers Chapter 5-Slow Flight, Stalls, and Spins Chapter 6-Ground Reference and Performance Maneuvers Chapter 7-Airport Traffic Patterns, Approaches, and Landings Chapter 8-Faulty Approaches and Landings Chapter 9-Flight by Reference to Instruments Chapter 10-Night Operations Chapter 11-Navigation Systems Chapter 12-Emergency Operations Chapter 13-Transition to Different Airplanes and Systems Chapter 14-Transition to a Multiengine Airplane Chapter 15-Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes Chapter 16-Transition to Seaplanes Chapter 17-Transition to Skiplanes Chapter 18-Aeronautical Decision Making

The Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15) is the FAA's guide to all of the aeronautical knowledge and skills required to operate in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). It is designed for pilots training for an instrument rating, and for the instrument flight instructors who teach them. The Instrument Flying Handbook includes both theory and practical guidance on how to operate an aircraft solely by reference to instruments, from filing a flight plan and working with ATC to maintaining straight-and-level flight, flying DME arcs and holding patterns, and shooting ILS approaches.

This 280-page handbook is available for download in two parts (Part 1 and Part 2) in PDF format.

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_flying_handbook/

Contents Chapter 1: Human Factors Chapter 2: Aerodynamic Factors Chapter 3: Flight Instruments Chapter 4: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying Chapter 5: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers Chapter 6: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying Chapter 7: Navigation Systems Chapter 8: The National Airspace System Chapter 9: The Air Traffic Control System Chapter 10: IFR Flight Chapter 11: Emergency Operations Appendices Glossary Index

The Instrument Procedures Handbook, a guide for advanced instrument pilots published by the FAA, is available for free download at:

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/instrument_procedures_handbook/

The Aeronautical Chart User's Guide

To learn more about aviation charts, you can download the Aeronautical Chart User's Guide (available in several parts in PDF format) from the FAA's National Aviation Charting Office (NACO): http://www.naco.faa.gov/index.asp?xml=naco/online/aero_guide

FAA regulations (FARs), the Aeronautical Information Manual, and many other references of interest to pilots, are available free online in both HTML and PDF format at http://www.faa.gov/atpubs/.

A wealth of practical information for pilots is also available free from the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Online Safety Center at http://www.aopa.org/asf/. Resources include a variety publications in PDF format, free online courses, etc.

You can also find much free information about weather, avionics, and other subjects on the Web. For example, most manufacturers of GPS navigation gear offer their user manuals, PC-based simulators, training syllabi, and other resources via their Web sites. You needn't be an owner of the equipment to download the information and resources. See, for example, http://www.garmin.com/aviation/products.html#panel-mount.

Subpages
I broke this into subpages directly following the top-level headings that were already present. In some cases, I think this leaves chapters that have too narrow a scope, but it seemed better to have it split down so that people could work on it. If someone wants to join some of the chapters together (or restructure them entirely) feel free. --Fishpi (discuss • contribs) 22:31, 12 February 2011 (UTC)

Suggested Reordering
As was discussed, for the purpose of PPL training, there are a lot of free materials which are very good already available. Perhaps what there is not, however, are books that introduce potential pilots to the basics they need to feel brave enough to venture into a flying school.

Perhaps you might consider topics like this:

How do people become pilots What can you do with a PPL What do pilots learn Meet a plane (all the things you'll need to know to feel comfortable) Your First Lesson How to choose a flight school

Just an idea. Dwt2 (discuss • contribs) 03:17, 4 August 2016 (UTC)

Okay, I see now that there is another book very similar to that. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Becoming_a_Private_Pilot/Getting_Your_Private_Pilot_License Perhaps a collaboration would be a good idea. Dwt2 (discuss • contribs) 03:18, 4 August 2016 (UTC)