To start off Piloting, I need some books (Such as FAR/AIM) and I need to find out what are some other books I need. can someone help me?

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bdpayton31

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Brayden
So far I'm gonna FAR/AIM and the Cessna 172 POH what are the other essentials I need?
 
Here's a bunch of free stuff (mostly PDF) from YOUR FAA. These are the basic texts for the Private Pilot and nearly all of the written test questions comes from there. You may want to pick up a paper FAR/AIM combo for the checkride, but frankly, you can go a long time without enriching ASA's pockets...

AIM: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/media/AIM-Basic-w-Chg1-and-Chg2-dtd-3-21-24.pdf
Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak
Airplane Flying Handbook: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook
Aviation Weather Handbook: https://www.faa.gov/regulationspoli...tion/faa-h-8083-28b-aviation-weather-handbook
Aeronautical Chart Users Guide: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/aero_guide/
 
Is there a specific model of 172 you need the POH for? I have one floating around the office that I don’t need and never will. If it fits what you need it’s yours. Assuming I can find it again.
 
DaleB said:
Is there a specific model of 172 you need the POH for? I have one floating around the office that I don’t need and never will. If it fits what you need it’s yours. Assuming I can find it again.
Click to expand...
172F
 
i echo everything said above and would stress one thing. it's alot to digest. maybe you are one of the gifted few who can read all those books, take out all the salient points, spit out the rest, and then pass a written and oral exam on the contents. if not, i highly recommend picking a ground school course as mentioned above as they will help break up the content into digestible chunks. personally i used the king school for my ifr. not only did i learn the material in such a way as to pass the written and oral with ease, it gave me the foundational knowledge to be able to understand and articulate the rules, regs, procedures and rationale behind them. i suspect their private pilot course is just as effective. good luck on your training and have a blast!
 
bdpayton31 said:
So far I'm gonna FAR/AIM and the Cessna 172 POH what are the other essentials I need?
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As noted above, you need the PHAK (Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge).

You'll need a copy of the ACS for each certification that you intend to pursue.

You'll need a ground school. Pilot Institute, King's, Gold Seal, there are others.

You'll need a flight computer. I strongly suggest going straight to the electronic CX-3. The legacy "whiz wheel" will work, but the calculator-style makes life a lot easier, IMO.

You'll need a headset. I strongly suggest getting a good noise-cancelling version - David Clark, Bose, or Lightspeed are all widely used. Don't try to save money.

You'll need "foggles". Most of these are a modified pair of safety glasses. A strongly recommend the ones with a black surround, not fogged. The fogged versions create a lot of glare when you're flying into the sun, and Instrument flying is already hard enough without extra added challenges.

You'll want a good set of sunglasses that you can wear with your headset.
 
If/when you get an online ground school course, it will include an online library of links to everything (and more) you need.
 
You basically have 2 options. Free FAA materials or pay for a self study curriculum (what some call a video course or ground school)

One factor folks should know is from January - October the written knowledge test is changing. Test scores have declined 10 points since 2025 and there is a rather long list of test topics that have been added to the test question bank. In October, the written test supplement (diagrams) is being discontinued. There are diagrams in the current test bank that are not in the supplement.

If you are relying on the Gliem or ASA test preps, you may be sorely disappointed.
 
You need - despite the excellent free FAA stuff and the FAR/AIM app - exactly two books/ ebooks

Rod Machado, How to Fly an Airplane
rodmachado.com

Rod Machado's How to Fly an Airplane Handbook

Learn stick and rudder skills that will keep you safe in an airplane and make flying a more enjoyable experience. Perfect for new pilots and those desiring to improve their flying skills.
rodmachado.com

and probably the best resource to get an overview over all the regs

Lengel, Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot

EVERYTHING Explained for the Professional Pilot - The #1 BEST SELLING aviation reference book

Reference book for the Private Pilot or the Airline Captain ... by far the #1 BEST SELLING aviation reference book in the country! The ULTIMATE REFERENCE BOOK that explains all aspects of aviaition from PROPS to HEAVY JETS.
aviation-press.com
 
Personally, I think that the late William Kershner wrote some books that were better than the FAA materials on the actual process of learning to fly.

I think that this book is a good thing for student pilots to look at - should take you to the book on Amazon, but you can look for cheap copies elsewhere: https://amzn.to/4fPrqEO
 
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