So you are thinking of starting your Pilot Training, you will need to read a lot of manuals to get you through your training. Even though there are different manufacturers, the subject areas are the same but they are presented in different ways. There are many differences in the two major types of publications you will want to look out for.

There are two types of training manuals and handbooks out there are:

1: The FAA. Publications are written and printed by the FAA. The Private Pilot Practical Test Standards will list many of these publications. One thing you want to understand is the fact that the Pilot Examiners are also Designated and Trained by the FAA. If you are on a budget, you want to get what you need for the Private Pilot Flight Test.

Listed below are the most referenced FAA Publications that will have the subject areas you will need for your Private Pilot Training.

Airplane Flying Handbook: The Airplane Flying Handbook covers all your private pilot training maneuvers

Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: This Publication will cover most of the aeronautical knowledge areas and many of the flight maneuvers required for your private pilot training

Aviation Weather: This book explains all aspects of weather. You will need to be able to explain different types of weather systems on your Private Pilot Practical Test

Aviation Weather Services: This is the FAA publication that explains how to interpret all of the weather info. This is the FAA’s Guide on how to read the weather reports and forecasts that are available through the FAA and Flight Service Stations.

There are other publications known as advisory circulars. Detailed information on subjects are printed in the FAA Publications. An example of one of these publications is “Uncontrolled Airport Operations”

2: Aftermarket Publications: There are many publications that have been made up and known as industry standard. There are in cases some things missing that are published in the FAA publications. When you meet the Pilot Examiner who will conduct your flight test, you will be expected to understand and be able to explain what the FAA Publications state about the task listed in the practical test standards for the ground portion of your Flight Test.

Perfect examples are the many airport guides that you can find published by many different companies. If you bring these publications into a flight test and not the FAA publications, in some cases it can result in a notice of disapproval for the reason that you aren’t using what the FAA has published.

One thing that most students and many instructors don’t understand is the fact that the Practical test standards for your Private Pilot Practical test are based on the FAA publications. In the reference section of the practical test standards, there is a list of all the publications that are used to make up the practical test standards.

On the day of your flight test, you will want to know what the FAA says about the tasks listed in the practical test standards. I have seen many times a student will reference a non FAA publication and some times it will result in a disapproval notice because the applicant is expected to have knowledge of the related FAA publication. Not what your flight instructor thinks the FAA wanted to say.

The FAA Practical Test Standards are the outline the Designated Pilot Examiner will use to conduct your Private Pilot Flight Test so always remember this. The evaluation process is designed so that they follow them. You will also notice a reference to the FAA publication in each area of operation listed in the practical test standards. You are expected to know these things.

So remember that if you are using aftermarket publications and manuals for your flight training; that is fine, just make sure you bring the FAA Publications to your flight test and be able to explain them.

Good luck becoming a Private Pilot and Hope to See You in the Sky

Airfreddy

Airfreddy’s Private Pilot Manual

Note: This is a third party post on my blog. I do not endorse nor do I receive any compensation from any links displayed on this post.

Comments are closed.