If you are thinking of getting a private pilot license,There will be a lot of books and materials you will need to get you through your training. Though there are many different manufacturers, they all pretty much have the same information it is just presented in a different way. There is a difference however in the two major types of publications that you want to be aware of.

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

1: FAA Publications

2: Aftermarket publications 

1: The FAA. These Publications are printed and written by the FAA. There are many of them that are referenced in the Private Pilot Practical Test Standards. The Pilot Examiners are designated and trained by the FAA, this is one thing you will want to remember. You will only want to get the Publications you need if you are on a tight budget.

Below I have listed the main publications that have the information 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 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 official FAA Publication on how to read the weather forecasts and reports that are available through the Flight Service Stations and FAA.

Advisory Circulars are another FAA Publication. Detailed information on subject areas are given 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. Many times the non FAA publications will have some things missing that are in the official Publications put out by the FAA. The ground Portion of your Private Pilot Flight Test will have questions related to the Faa Publications, The Pilot Examiner will expect you to understand the information in these Publications.
 

Perfect examples are the many airport guides that you can find published by many different companies. If you don't bring in the information put out by the FAA, it could result in a disapproval since you are not using what the FAA has published.

Many Students and Instructors overlook the fact that the basis for the Practical Test Standards are the FAA Publications not the aftermarket Publications. There is a section on the Practical Test Standards that will give you a guide to the publications that were used to make up the Practical Test Standards.

When you go up for your flight test, you should know what the FAA says about each of the areas of operation based on the FAA publication that is referenced. In the past, there have been times when a student will use a non FAA Publication and many times the result was a disapproval notice was given to the applicant because he/she was expected to have an understanding of the FAA Publications. Not what someone else thinks the FAA was trying to say.

Once again remember that the Designated Pilot Examiner who will conduct your flight test is bound by the FAA Practical Test Standards. The evaluation process is designed so that they follow them. Each area of operations printed in the Practical Test Standards will have a reference to the FAA Publication in it. This is what you are expected to know.

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 Pilot Training Manual