Resources to help you Chart your course

Special AOPA Membership Offer for Student Pilots:

Sign up for a free student trial membership in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and enjoy six free issues of Flight Training magazine which offers the insight and counsel of experienced pilot-authors to help both instructors and pilots-in-training as they progress toward their goals in aviation. Other benefits of membership include flight planning tools and a training helpline with one-on-one answers and support from instructors.

Interactive Learning:

AOPA’s Air Safety Institute provides free educational resources for all pilots. Log in with your AOPA member login or create a free account to access interactive online courses, quizzes, and other tools to reinforce your learning. You can even track your progress in a transcript.

FAA publications:

Educational guides and reference materials are available from the FAA for free online and as downloadable PDFs. These are some of the important resources you can access:

For many pilots, the FAA’s Airplane Flying Handbook is the gold standard for education guides. It is organized to help student pilots learn the incremental skills necessary to fly and provides great illustrations that demonstrate and reinforce many of the principles of flight it covers. There are also FAA handbooks for gliders, balloons and helicopters. The FAA website provides a complete list.
Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR)
Aeronautical Information Manual
FAA Risk Management Handbook
Written Exam Test Guide
Airmen Certification Standards (ACS)

Gear Up:

There are certain pieces of equipment—aside from the airplane itself—that every pilot will need. These include headsets, Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) tablets, sunglasses and more. Every pilot has his or her own preferences on the type of gear they prefer, so ask for their thoughts on these products before making a purchase for yourself. The investment in quality gear is also an investment in safety and professionalism.

The Pilot’s Alphabet:

From alpha to zulu and everything in between, pilots speak a special language that you will need to master before you take to the radios. Get a jump start on learning the pilot alphabet today.

Questions?

AOPA members can get one-on-one answers and personal training support from instructors at 800/USA-AOPA