Now that you’ve gotten your first taste of flying and decided it will be “a pilot’s life for me”, it’s time to set yourself up for success by getting a few supplies. Although a spiffy leather bomber jacket and a pair of wire frame Ray Ban sunglasses can help you walk the walk, it’s not going to help you talk the talk. Having the right resources to use during your training is essential to the success of your flight training. The following list is designed to give you an idea of the basic books and tools you will need to find success in your pilot training adventure. Please note that your flight instructor or school may require different materials.
The Essentials
Federal Aviation Regulations
The Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM) is a publication containing the actual laws relevant to aviators and the aviation industry. The middle section of the book contains the Aeronautical Information Manual; a document maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) containing best practices for pilots. Although there are thousands of regulations a study list is provided at the front of the book which outlines the relevant regulations. The book is updated every year and is available online for free, as a smartphone application, or in print.
- Online (Free): FAR/AIM
- Android App ($9.99): FAR/AIM
- Apple App ($14.99): FAR/AIM
- In Print ($13.95): FAR AIM 2021 (ASA)
Airplane Flying Handbook
The Airplane Flying Handbook provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots. Written and updated by the FAA, it contains a wealth of information and plenty of pictures and illustrations. It also provides information on transition to other airplanes and the operation of various airplane systems. This handbook is developed to assist student pilots learning to fly airplanes. It introduces the future pilot to the realm of flight and provides information and guidance in the performance of procedures and maneuvers required for pilot certification. This book is available for free as a PDF or in print.
- Online (Free): Airplane Flying Handbook
- In Print ($16.50): Airplane Flying Handbook
Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Just like the Airplane Flying Handbook the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge provides basic knowledge that is essential for pilots. While the Airplane Flying Handbook is more focused on the actual flight maneuvers required of pilots this book covers the theory and ground knowledge required of pilots. This text is also published by the Federal Aviation Administration and covers topics such as aeronautical decision making aerodynamics flight controls aircraft systems flight instruments airspace navigation and weather theory among others. This book is also available for free as a PDF or in print.
Pilot Logbook
Having a place to document your training is essential for all pilots. After each flight lesson you take your instructor will “log” the flight in your logbook so you can receive credit for that flight time. Also included in this logbook will be the various endorsements you will earn over the course of your aviation career. There are many types of logbook available with different formats but all should capture the same information. Recently online logbooks such as MyFlightBook and ForeFlight have gained popularity as being an alternative to paper-style logbooks. My recommendation is to use both kinds as an online version of your logbook offers a good backup in case the paper version is lost or destroyed. Alternatively a digital backup can be kept via spreadsheet if desired.
- Online (Free): My Flight Book
- In ($11.95): Pilot’s Flight Logbook
The Nice-To-Haves
Kneeboard
While not essential, having a kneeboard or small clipboard to keep notes and papers handy greatly improves cockpit organization and reduces clutter. Using a durable aluminum kneeboard also provides a strong surface for in-flight note taking as well as quick access to important VFR information in the form of a permanent placard. The elastic Velcro strap is designed to fasten around the pilot’s thigh and prevents it from moving around during flight. Again there are a number of different styles and brands to choose from.
- Aluminum ($19.95): VFR Aluminum Kneeboard
Tablet
One of the greatest technological advancements to the general aviation community is the electronic flight bag. The term electronic flight bag is a general one that describes the use of an electronic device (such as an iPad) to store and retrieve relevant flight information. Using a tablet can now replace paper charts and greatly assist the pilot in flight planning and improve situational awareness. While there are many tablet options available I recommend the Apple iPad Mini 5 with WiFi and 256GB of storage to be used with ForeFlight. A cellular version is not necessary since most aviation apps will download data to use offline. While a tablet is great to have it is in no way required for student pilots.
- WiFi Only, 256GB Storage ($529.00): 2019 Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi, 256GB) – Space Gray
Cross Country Supplies
E6B Flight Computer
Although it may seem outdated, the old-school circular slide rule flight computer is still used in cross country planning today. The name “E6B” comes from its original part number used in the U.S. Army Air Corps. in the 1930s. This tool is used for converting units, calculating fuel burn, time en-route, airspeed calculations, and wind correction angles. Mobile applications are now being used to perform many of the same functions and can sometimes be used instead of the physical versions depending on instructor and pilot examiner. My suggestion is to at least know how to use a physical E6B flight computer.
- Aluminum ($44.95): ASA Color Full Size E6B
- Andorid App (Free): E6B Pathfinder
- Apple App ($9.99): Sporty’s E6B Flight Computer
Plotter
When using paper navigational charts it is essential to have a way to measure distances between points and determine what the true course direction is in between them. An aviation specific plotter can be used to determine this information. Having a plotter with a rotating azimuth makes planning easier. When using a plotter make sure than you use the proper mileage scale and notate whether it is displayed in statute or nautical miles. This tool is not needed if you are using digital charts or a tablet for flight planning.
- Rotating Plotter ($16.95): Ultimate Rotating Plotter
Sectional Charts
The sectional is the essential VFR navigation chart designed for visual navigation of slow to medium speed aircraft. The checkpoints include populated places drainage patterns roads railroads and other distinctive landmarks. The aeronautical information on Sectional Charts includes visual and radio aids to navigation airports controlled airspace restricted areas obstructions and related data. These charts are updated every six months and are labeled with the largest city contained on the chart. Online services can be used to view sectional charts but generally make it difficult to print them.
- Paper Charts ($9.00): Sectional Chart
- Online (Free): SkyVector
Chart Supplement (Airport/Facility Directory)
A Chart Supplement book (formerly known as the airport/facility directory) is a listing of data on record with the FAA on all open-to-the-public airports seaplane bases heliports military facilities and selected private use airports. They include airport sketches NAVAIDs communications data weather data sources airspace special notices VFR waypoints Airport Diagrams and operational procedures. Seven volumes cover the conterminous United States and are updated every 56 days. The FAA offers these directories for free on their website.
- Printed Chart Supplement ($5.70): Chart Supplement
- Digital Chart Supplement (Free): Chart Supplement
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