Publications & References

Introduction:

  • The FAA provides a variety of important reference material for the student, as well as the advanced civil aviation pilot
  • In addition to the regulations provided online by the FAA, several other publications are available to the user
  • Almost all reference material is available online at www.faa.gov in downloadable format
  • Commercial aviation publishers also provide published and online reference material to further aid the aviation pilot

FAA Handbooks:

  • Handbooks are developed to provide specific information about a particular topic that enhances training or understanding
  • The FAA publishes a variety of handbooks that generally fall into three categories: aircraft, aviation, and examiners and inspectors
  • Aircraft flight manuals commonly called Pilot Operating Handbooks (POH) are documents developed by the airplane manufacturer, approved by the FAA, and are specific to a particular make and model aircraft by serial number
  • These handbooks are published by the United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125
  • Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in email form, to the following address
  • Student Pilot Guide:

    • Airplane Flying Handbook Cover
      Amazon, Airplane Flying Handbook Cover
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
    • Airplane Flying Handbook Cover
      Amazon, Airplane Flying Handbook Cover
  • Airplane Flying Handbook:

    • The Aircraft Flying Handbooks are designed as technical manuals to introduce basic pilot skills and knowledge that are essential for piloting aircraft. They provide information on transition to other aircraft and the operation of various aircraft systems
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
  • Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge:

    • The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots
    • It introduces pilots to the broad spectrum of knowledge that will be needed as they progress in their pilot training
    • Most of the knowledge areas applicable to pilot certification are presented
    • The PHAK is useful to beginning pilots, as well as those pursuing more advanced pilot certificates
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
  • Instrument Flying Handbook:

    • Instrument Flying Handbook Cover
      Amazon, Instrument Flying Handbook Cover
    • The Instrument Flying Handbook is designed for use by instrument flight instructors and pilots preparing for instrument rating tests
    • Instructors find this handbook a valuable training aid as it includes basic reference material for knowledge testing and instrument flight training
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
    • Instrument Flying Handbook Cover
      Amazon, Instrument Flying Handbook Cover
  • Instrument Procedures Handbook:

    • The Instrument Procedures Handbook is designed as a technical reference for professional pilots who operate under IFR in the NAS and expands on information contained in the Instrument Flying Handbook
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
  • Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook:

  • Helicopter Flying Handbook:

  • Glider Flying Handbook:

    • The Glider Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing for glider category rating and for currently certificated glider pilots who wish to improve their knowledge
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
  • Aviation Instructor Handbook:

    • The Aviation Instructor's Handbook provides the foundation for beginning instructors to understand and apply the fundamentals of instructing
    • This handbook also provides aviation instructors with up-to-date information on learning and teaching, and how to relate this information to the task of conveying aeronautical knowledge and skills to students
    • Experienced aviation instructors also find the new and updated information useful for improving their effectiveness in training activities
    • It is available for download online or purchase in paperback/eBook [Amazon]
  • Seaplane/Skiplane and Float Ski Equipped Helicopter Ops Handbook:

  • Balloon Flying Handbook:

  • Aviation Weather Services:

Advisory Circulars:

  • An Advisory Circular (AC) is an informational document (non-regulatory) that the FAA wants to distribute to the aviation community
  • Some ACs are free while others cost money
  • The FAA website www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_ circulars/ provides a database that is a searchable repository of all aviation safety ACs
  • All ACs, current and historical, are provided and can be viewed as a portable document format (PDF) copy

Other Publications:

  • Aeronautical Information Manual:

    • The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) is the official guide to basic flight information and ATC procedures for the aviation community flying in the NAS of the United States
    • The AIM contains information of interest to pilots, such as health and medical facts, flight safety, a pilot/controller glossary of terms used in the system, and information on safety, accidents, and reporting of hazards
  • Federal Aviation Regulations:

    • The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are the rules of the road with regards to flight operations in the united states
    • Punitive in nature, the regulations are ultimately designed to enhance safety by creating procedures and upholding standards
  • Pilot Safety Brochures:

    • The FAA prepares Aeromedical Safety Brochures for general aviation pilots, commercial pilots and physicians
    • The brochures acquaint the aviation community with the physiological challenges of the aviation environment and relevant safety concerns
    • The FAA maintains these Pilot Safety Brochures on their website
  • Arrival Alert Notices:

    • Arrival Alert Notices (AAN) are new graphics produced by the FAA that visually depict an approach at specific airports to help mitigate wrong surface misalignment risks for pilots
  • Pilot/Controller Glossary (P/CG):

  • Airworthiness Certificate:

  • Airman Certification Standards (ACS)

  • Registration Certificate

Flight Publications:

Conclusion:

  • Publications come from a variety of sources but they all have one thing in common, they go out of date
  • These handbooks are constantly updated in response to safety investigation recommendations and updates to regulations, so check the FAA's website for the most up-to-date version!
  • Discussions and interpretations of aviation topics can be found through several podcasts, including:
  • Still looking for something? Continue searching:

References: