For Students
A few things I recommend to every student — the books and free FAA publications I learned from, and the gear I trust in the airplane.
The timeless classic on the art of flying. Wolfgang Langewiesche explains what actually keeps an airplane in the air — angle of attack, the controls, the landing — in plain, vivid language. Decades on, it's still essential reading for every student pilot.
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The pilot's rulebook. The current Federal Aviation Regulations and the Aeronautical Information Manual in a single reference — the rules and procedures you'll study throughout training and refer back to for your whole flying career.
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The FAA's official guide to flying an airplane — procedures, maneuvers, and aeronautical knowledge from preflight through advanced operations. Free from the FAA and a core reference throughout your training.
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The Airman Certification Standards spell out exactly what you must know and be able to do to pass your Private Pilot checkride. Study it early — it's the blueprint for your training and your practical test.
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The FAA's comprehensive guide to aviation weather — how to read it, understand it, and make safe go/no-go decisions. Consolidates the old weather advisory circulars into one free reference.
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The industry-standard passive headset and a longtime trainer favorite. Comfortable gel ear seals, dependable noise reduction, and a famously rugged build backed by a five-year warranty — the headset you'll keep through training and well beyond.
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A rugged manual E6B for the calculations every student needs — time, speed and distance, fuel burn, true airspeed, density altitude, and wind correction. Lightweight, waterproof, and legal to use on your written exam and checkride.
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A clear navigation plotter for measuring courses and distances on sectional charts during flight planning. An essential tool for cross-country planning and your checkride.
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A rugged, reversible kneeboard that works for left- or right-handed pilots. Spring-clip clipboard, removable eyelet strip for checklists, and an elastic leg strap — a tidy way to keep your plan, charts, and pen at hand in the cockpit.
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A dedicated flight bag keeps your headset, charts, fuel tester, and electronics organized and protected. Look for padded compartments and easy cockpit access — it'll travel with you for years.
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