Book Recommendations

I've re-organized my on-line store, and in the process most of these links became obsolete - mostly they still work, but not to the latest locations. To see the latest version of the store please visit Matthew Waugh's Store.

This page contains advice on a variety of books and links to Amazon.com to purchase most of them.

If you have suggestions for other books that should be recommended reading for student pilots, send them along to mat@mwaugh.com.

Practical Test Standards

Some of these documents may be out of date with the FAA's revisions to the PTS in August 2002.

Student Pilots

This page will cover some of the bookwork you'll need as you start out as a Student Pilot. Don't take this as the one true word until you've sat down and talked with your instructor. Your instructor may use a different syllabus and may suggest different books for you to obtain.

Limit Your Investment

Not everybody likes to fly in general aviation airplanes, so before you invest a whole bunch of money, or frankly before you invest any money, take an introductory flight or a first flight lesson. There's no point investing in a whole bunch of books or gadgets if you get into a training aircraft and decide "it's not for you" and walk away. I think you'll be missing something really great, but try it and make sure it's for you.

However - you should definitely buy a logbook after your first flight and have your instructor fill it out. They're cheap ($7-15) and it will be a permanent record of your flight. Of course we expect you'll continue your flight training, and then you'll be able to add many more interesting and fun flights!

Student Pilot Bookstore

Training Kits

There are a number of complete kits of books and material for the student pilot. Some of the companies offering these kits are:

These kits intend to provide you with all you need to support your training. You may want to look through the rest of this page for some additional ideas, but starting off, you'll be set.

POH

Your instructor and or the training school you're attending will probably have available a Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) for you to purchase. This is basically a copy of the official Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM)  for the aircraft you'll be training to fly. This book will have everything you need to know about the make and model aircraft you'll be flying. You can also purchase Pilot Operating Handbooks (POH) at Sportys and at Essco Aircraft.

The FAA Suggests

In the Practical Test Standards for the Private Pilot checkride the FAA provides a list of official references they expect you to use to prepare for the oral and practical test. Here are the items from the latest PTS (dated May 1995) that are not listed elsewhere on this page and some guidance on how to obtain a copy.

AC 00-2 Advisory Circular Checklist - you don't really need a copy of this, it's just a long list of all the available advisory circulars. If you want to see it, check it on the web at www.faa.gov/aba/html_policies/files_pdf/ac_cklst.pdf
AC 61-27 Instrument Flying Handbook - this is suggested for your use during the flight by reference to instruments training, not a "must have" in my opinion.
AC 61-65 Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors - from the FAA Web site (www.faa.gov)
AC 61-67 Stall Spin Awareness Training - from the FAA Web site (www.faa.gov)
AC 61-84 Role of Preflight Preparation - from the FAA Web site (www.faa.gov)
AC 67-2  Medical Handbook for Pilots
AC 90-48 Pilots’ Role in Collision Avoidance  - from the FAA Web site (www.faa.gov)
AC 91-23  Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook
AC 120-51 Crew Resource Management Training - from the FAA Web site (www.faa.gov)
AFD Airport Facility Directory - published every 56 days, your FBO should have copies.
NOTAM's Notices to Airmen - published very 56 days, again, your FBO should have copies.
Pilot Operating Handbooks
FAA-Approved Flight Manuals

If you're interested in more book recommendations go to my Aviation Bookstore.