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Before you enroll in a pilot ground school, take the time to learn a little bit about flying from a book, just as most people do with almost anything else. With the right flying instruction manual, you can enter pilot school confident that you’ll be on equal standing, if not ahead, with other students even if you haven’t had actual access to a plane.

Here are several factors to consider when choosing the right flight instruction textbook to use for introductory research on the topic:

USE – Always look for textbooks that are actively used in flight schools and are recommended by expert and veteran pilots. There’s a good reason why they want you to read and buy them so take their advice! Stop by a couple flight schools and see which books they use to teach their ground schools. Is it Jeppesen, ASA Private Pilot Test Prep Book, Gleim Private Pilot Written Exam Guide, or something else? Different books meet different people’s needs. And sometimes you need multiple books that present the information in different formats. You will figure out what you need.

TOPIC AND CONTENT– As you’re a novice pilot or you haven’t gotten inside a cockpit yet; make sure that you choose the appropriate flight instruction textbook. Stay away from summarizations, quick guides, and advanced training manuals, and instead, look for books that are specifically written for novice and aspiring pilots like you!

Also, don’t buy any specific textbook just yet. Right now, all you should be concerned about is being familiar with the various parts of a plane, the responsibilities of a pilot, the mechanics of flying, and other similar facts. Think general!

If you are a student pilot, then pick up a book geared towards Private Pilots. If you are going for your instrument rating select an Instrument Training book. Commercial pilot find a commercial pilot book.

AUTHOR – Choose books that are written by pilots who have the education, skills, and experience to qualify for the job. It’s alright if they had used a ghostwriter or one who’s more adept with words to write the book as long as all the information is from them and not completely gleaned from references.

Rod Machado is one of the most humorous flight instructors I’ve ever heard. He is smart and presents the material in a way that is easy to understand and absorb. Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook, 2nd Edition – A serious text written in a fun and witty style.

Jeppesen is another great creator of aviation training material. They have easy to understand diagrams that really drive the point home. I used Jeppesen GFD Private Pilot Kit – Part 61 with a lot of success and highly recommend it.

PUBLICATION DATE– Don’t buy any books that are more than two years old because a lot of things can change in two years, and it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest news and breakthrough discoveries in the airline industry. Jeppesen is probably the best for the most up-to-date information.

TONE – What kind of language did the author use in the book? Do you hear any condescension or is it written with too many technical terms? The ideal book is one that you’ll not only have an easy time understanding but one that you’ll have fun reading as well. Look for illustrations because they can make step-by-step procedures clearer.

And lastly, check the price of the book. If it’s beyond your budget, don’t worry because you can always look for a secondhand copy…or wait for it to go on sale. Also ask around the flight school is anyone has any books that they aren’t using. Chances are there is.

Here is another idea. When you go into a flight school, they are going to try and sell you the moon, which can be pretty expensive. Your eyes will be all glassed over because you see a pilot certificate in your future and you want to make it happen NOW…but don’t bite. Sometimes it is worth it but sometimes it is not. Before you buy their “package,” ask them for a list of contents, go home and see if it compares to what you find on the Internet. If it turns out that the price is right, go back and buy it, enroll in ground school and work towards that dream! Don’t wait another day or it will slip by you!

To Your Flying Success…

Jeff

Here are a few of the better products that I recommend:

• Jeppesen Guide Flight Discovery (GFD) Private Pilot Kit – Part 61 – A comprehensive kit for private pilots in Part 61 training.
• ASA Private Pilot Test Prep Book- Private certificates for airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, glider, free balloon and airship.
• Gleim Private Pilot Written Exam Guide – One of the easiest, fastest, and least expensive means of passing the FAA Private Pilot – Airplane knowledge test.
• Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual – The Private Pilot Manual is your primary source for initial study and review on your journey to becoming a private pilot.
• Jeppesen GFD Private Pilot DVD Video Course – The New GFD Private Pilot Video Series on DVD contains 10 hours of dynamic content.
• Jeppesen GFD Private Pilot Ultimate Kit – A “best buy” comprehensive kit for private pilots in Part 61 training.

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