Resources for Pilots and Aviation Enthusiasts!
Here you can find resources I mentioned in the Pilot Career Books, and much more!
On this page, you can find many links to resources that can help you decide whether you want to become a pilot or not. If you are already a pilot you can find links to many FAA manuals and other resources to further your education. Even if you have nothing do with aviation you might find the resources interesting!
I created this page to share as a bonus section for my LEARN TO FLY AND BECOME A PILOT! Now available in Amazon.
FAA Handbooks
Airplane Flying Handbook
This handbook introduces basic aviation knowledge and pilot skills that are essential for pilots. It is especially helpful in assisting student pilots learning to fly airplanes but provides beneficial information for all pilots wanting to improve their skills.
I doubt you will ever meet an FAA pilot who hasn’t read or heard about this book. You could find the same information from other sources, but I highly recommend studying this book before attempting any FAA private pilot or commercial pilot checkride.
You can get a FREE electronic version of the book here: Airplane Flying Handbook PDF
You can also download it chapter by chapter in higher quality from here: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook CHAPTERS
This is one of the books I would also recommend buying as a paperback copy as it is much more readable that way. You can get a physical copy from Amazon for less than twenty bucks here: Airplane Flying Handbook PAPERBACK.
Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)
PHAK is another book that should be in every pilots’ personal library. It contains a massive amount of important knowledge that is needed to progress with pilot training. Most of the knowledge areas applicable to different pilot certificates are presented in this handbook.
You can download a low-resolution electronic copy of the book here: Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge PDF
Or you could download higher resolution files chapter by chapter here: Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge CHAPTERS
It may actually be easier to break it down and read it one chapter at the time due to the sheer amount of information presented in this book.
This is also a great book to have as a physical copy. That way it is an easy reference book to keep handy no matter what knowledge subject you need to brush up on.
You can get a paperback copy from Amazon under twenty bucks! Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge PAPERBACK.
Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
The Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) is an official guide manual published by the FAA. It is designed to provide the aviation community with basic flight information and ATC procedures for use in the National Airspace System (NAS) of the United States. If you fly in the United States you need to know and understand the information contained in this manual.
You can download the AIM for free here: Aeronautical Information Manual PDF
It is good to keep the PDF version in your smartphone or a tablet, but this is one book I would recommend to have as a physical copy also. Especially when you are studying to be a pilot. The AIM is published together in one handy book with some relevant Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) by ASA. You will need to learn those regulations by heart, and the AIM will help you make sense of them!
You can get the paperback copy of the FAR/AIM publication here: FAR/AIM 2019: Federal Aviation Regulations / Aeronautical Information Manual (FAR/AIM Series)
Aviation Weather AC 00-6B
The Aviation Weather handbook is another important FAA publication. Knowledge of weather theory is extremely important for pilots at any level. This publication contains comprehensive information covering the weather patterns around the world, and specifically how weather affects you as a pilot.
You can download the Aviation Weather book for free here: Aviation Weather PDF
The weather theory is unlikely to change much in the future as it has been extensively studied for decades. Every once in a while it’s good to review some weather facts, and this is a good handbook to keep in your personal library for reference.
You can get the paperback copy of the Aviation Weather book here: Aviation Weather: FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 00-6B (FAA Handbooks series)
Industry Outlook – Articles about the Global Pilot Shortage
Is it a Good Time to Become a Pilot? – That’s up to You to Decide for Yourself, but I Think Now is Good Time!
Global Pilot Shortage Hits Australia
ABC News Australia article about over 10,000 domestic flight canceled in Australia due to pilot shortage and other reasons. It is interesting to read that there is also a shortage of Flight Instructors. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-22/airline-passengers-facing-perfect-storm-as-pilot-shortage-bites/10012624
The global pilot shortage is getting worse
A Yahoo Finance article about global pilot shortage and the growth of air traffic. It has interesting part about Women in Aviation at the end of the article. Apparenty United Airlines has the most female pilots (7.4%) compared to other major airlines. The article also talks about increasing starting salaries and bonuses for new pilots. Good news for us pilots!
The truth about the global pilot shortage
Interesting article from the Pilot Career News. It’s hard to argue against the pilot shortage after reading this article; the numbers don’t lie. Although there is a lot more to it as the article explains…
Airlines struggle with global pilot shortage
Another pilot shortage article from Reuters. This one also talks about the increased salaries and a bidding war by airlines. The article briefly mentions the $300k pilot salaries in China, but also concludes that the pilot shortage is only happening in certain areas in the world, while many airlines see constant stream of qualified candidates.
Delta Seeks 8000 Pilots – Flight Attendants May Apply
“Delta Airlines is asking flight attendants, ticket agents and other employees to consider taking a seat at the cockpit controls.” This 2018 CNBC Article is another example of airlines struggling with the pilot shortage.
Pilot Salaries (and job listings)
Everyone is looking for well-paying jobs, and pilots are not an exception. I’m not going to provide any extensive job listings here. I only share some job listings that show you the expected salary. This way you can better estimate your earnings potential on different pilot career paths.
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is an excellent resource no matter what kind of career you are planning on. Here you can find all kinds of employment and unemployment data. In addition to salary information, you can find a lot of other information relating to all kinds of jobs. Pilot salaries are discussed here.
VOR Holdings
VOR Holdings is a longtime recruiter for pilots in China. Their job listings include airline and corporate aviation jobs in China, with salaries topping over $300k per year. Check it out here: VOR Holdings Pilot Pilot Jobs
WASINC International
Another long-running pilot recruitment company in operating in China and elsewhere. They also advertise for jobs with Chinese airlines and corporate aviation companies. Even the company I work for, Business Aviation Asia (BAA), recruits through WASINC as you may see from the job listings. Check it out here: WASINC International Jobs
Glassdoor
This is a website where employees and former employees can anonymously share information about their company. They can write reviews about management and share their salaries. It’s a good place to search for salary information in different countries. According to Glassdoor the average base pay for pilots in the United States is $79,947. With the lowest reported salaries at $36k and the highest at $151k. Remember that these are based on the salaries shared by reviewers; there are of course captains that make a lot more than $151k per year and some new pilots who make less than $36k. Nevertheless, it’s a good website to check out if you are researching some specific company. Check it out here: Glassdoor US Pilot Salaries
Climbto350.com
This is a well know pilot job website that has been around for a long time. This is a good website if you are looking for pilot jobs in the United States. You have to create an account and become a member for a small fee if you want to get all the details about the different jobs, but many of the listings give you salary information without a membership. This is especially good place to get some salary information about flight instructor jobs as there are many of them available. It seems that many postings are offering $25 – $40 dollars per hour for flight instructors, which is not much. But there are some better offers as well. Check it out here: Climbto350.com
Additional Links from Pilot Career Book 1
Women in Aviation International About WAI: “Women in Aviation International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests.”
eCFR
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
All the regulations you need to know as a pilot. It’s good to bookmark the page, so you can easily find any regulations you are looking for.
Pilot Aptitude Testing
Links to determine whether you got what it takes to be pilot:
Pilot Aptitude Test Preparation App – requires a subscription
Pilot Medical Information
FAR 61.23 Medical Certificates – Requirements and Duration
FAA Medical Certification Site
Hazardous Attitudes – AOPA Article
EAA FREE Introductory Flights About EAA: “The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is a growing and diverse organization of members with a wide range of aviation interests and backgrounds”.
Flight Schools
L3 Commercial Aviation for FAA and EASA Training
Aviation Colleges – Links to Financial Aid pages
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
University of North Dakota
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
Finance Options for Flight Training
Flight Training Financing from AOPA
Student Loan Hero – This is a link to an article called the “Ultimate Guide to Filling Out and Filing Your FAFSA by the Deadline“. At the end of the article there is a list of the 8 Top student loan lenders of 2019 that might be worth checking out if you are looking for a student loan.
Federal Student Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs / GI-Bill
Cosmic Ionizing Radiation
As I mentioned in the Pilot Career Series Book 1 it’s good to be aware of cosmic ionizing radiation, but I wouldn’t let it stop you from becoming a pilot or stop traveling by airlines.
European Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM
Nasa study: FUNDAMENTALS OF AEROSPACE MEDICINE — COSMIC RADIATION
Links from Pilot Career Book 2
Chapter 1: No links
Chapter 2: Student Pilot Certificate – FAR 61 Subpart C
Chapter 3: Private Pilot Certificate – FAR 61 Subpart E and FAR 141 Appendix B
Chapter 4: Instrument Rating – FAR 61.65 and FAR 141 Appendix C
Chapter 5: Commercial Pilot Certificate – FAR 61 Subpart F and FAR 141 Appendix D
Chapter 6: Multi-Engine Rating
Chapter 7: Flight Instructor Certificate – FAR 62 Subpart H and FAR 141 Appendix F
Chapter 8: Ground Instructor Certificate – FAR 61 Subpart I and FAR 141 Appendix H
Chapter 9: Airline Transport Pilots – FAR 61 Subpart G and FAR 141 Appendix E
