The Airplane Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual to introduce basic pilot skills and knowledge that are essential for piloting airplanes. It provides information on transition to other airplanes and the operation of various airplane systems. It is developed by the Flight Standards Service, Airman Testing Standards Branch, in cooperation with various aviation educators and industry.
This handbook is developed to assist student pilots learning to fly airplanes. It is also beneficial to pilots who wish to improve their flying proficiency and aeronautical knowledge, those pilots preparing for additional certificates or ratings, and flight instructors engaged in the instruction of both student and certificated pilots. It introduces the future pilot to the realm of flight and provides information and guidance in the performance of procedures and maneuvers required for pilot certification. Topics such as navigation and communication, meteorology, use of flight information publications, regulations, and aeronautical decision making are available in other Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications.
This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept of flying airplanes. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles. Occasionally the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).
This book contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1. Introduction to Flight Training
Chapter 2. Ground Operations
Chapter 3. Basic Flight Maneuvers
Chapter 4. Slow Flight, Stalls, and Spins
Chapter 5. Takeoffs and Departures
Chapter 6. Ground Reference Maneuvers
Chapter 7. Airport Traffic Patterns
Chapter 8. Approaches and Landings
Chapter 9. Performance Maneuvers
Chapter 10. Night Operations
Chapter 11. Transition to Complex Airplanes
Chapter 12. Transition to Multiengine Airplanes
Chapter 13. Transition to Tailwheel Airplanes
Chapter 14. Transition to Turbopropeller Airplanes
Chapter 15. Transition to Jet Powered Airplanes
Chapter 16. Emergency Procedures
