The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge [Hardcover]

Paul Illman (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0071345191 | ISBN-13: 978-0071345194 | Publication Date: December 20, 1999 | Edition: 4

The bestselling source of complete pilot information! Terminology, navigation, airport and airspace operations, radio communications, emergency procedures, flight planning, weather, FAA rules and regulations, and much more - all the essential information a pilot needs, in a concise format. That's what this classic handbook gives you. And now, it's fully updated for today's pilots. Packed with facts and fundamentals every pilot needs - for passing FAA exams, refreshing and updating knowledge and answering day-to-day questions - "The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge" gives you current data, more than 250 charts, graphs and illustrations, plus many value-added features. Inside you'll find additional critical information on: flight principles; thorough weather orientation; aircraft performance factors; engine and systems fundamentals; navigation principles; medical facts for pilots; checks and inspections; wake avoidance; and basic good operating procedures. You'll want to keep this book handy for quick answers to your most essential questions. It's the best investment that you can make in your flying career, for as long as you fly.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The bestselling source of complete pilot information! Terminology, navigation, airport and airspace operations, radio communications, emergency procedures, flight planning, weather, FAA rules and regulations, and much more--all the essential information a pilot needs, in a concise format. That's what this classic handbook gives you. And now, it's fully updated for today's pilots. Packet with facts and fundamentals every pilot needs--for passing FAA exams, refreshing and updating knowledge and answering day-to-day questions--The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge gives you current data, more than 250 charts, graphs and illustrations, plus many value-added features. Inside you'll find additional critical information on: flight principles; thorough weather orientation; aircraft performance factors; engine and systems fundamentals; navigation principles; medical facts for pilots; checks and inspections; wake avoidance; basic good operating procedures. You'll want to keep this book handy for quick answers to your most essential questions. It's the best investment that you can make in your flying career, for as long as you fly.

About the Author

Paul Illman is author of The Pilot's Radio Communications Handbook, 5th Edition, and The Pilot's Air Traffic Control Handbook, 3rd Edition. Both are Practical Flying Series titles. He is an active private pilot who holds single-engine commercial and multiengine ratings. He worked for TWA for 30 years in management positions and currently operates his own management consulting business.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 614 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 4 edition (December 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071345191
• ISBN-13: 978-0071345194
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction and Reference for Aviation, March 21, 2000

By 

Sean P Nickerson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (Hardcover)

A couple of months ago, I decided that I wanted to learn to fly. Flying was something I have dreamed of doing since I was a little kid and I decided that now was the time. Before approaching a flight instructor I wanted to know a little bit more about flying. I looked at a number of books geared towards student pilots but was disappointed. Most books for students were either too simple (not enough info) or too much like a study guide (which I already had). What I wanted was something that introduced me to all aspects of aviation, not just the stick and rudder stuff. The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is just such a book. Flying is not just about aerodynamics. There is a significant amount of information that must be absorbed before ever getting into the left seat. Airspace regulations, airport procedures, communications, navigation, and flight planning, to name just a few, are all part of flying. Paul Illman not only covers each of these in depth but he does so in a way to show you how each are related to the other. Since meteorology is also integral to flying, any good pilot would also have to be a good weatherman. Illman covers this subject very well. I haven't looked at weather the same way since. (I have always been fascinated with explanations on the workings of nature.) This book provides a strong foundation of knowledge in all of these subjects and a number of others. Many of us dream of flying. But safe flying requires more than dreaming. Flying is a discipline. By covering all areas of aviation, and showing us how important knowledge in each of these areas is critical to safe flying, Illman gives us a much more accurate picture of what it takes to become a pilot. By emphasizing the responsibilities of the pilot we can better determine if we really want to become a Pilot In Charge. If you read and understand this book you will know whether or not flying is for you.

No one book can completely prepare you for flying. But this book covers enough to get you started with a firm foundation. I read this book from cover to cover before I began my using my study guides for the FAA exam. (I am currently using Gleim's Private Pilot study course, which I also recommend.) The Pilot's Handbook gave me a much better understanding of aviation and has greatly enhanced my learning. That Private Pilot certificate doesn't seem so far away.

1.0 out of 5 stars not very good info, January 5, 2012

By 

D. Nusbaum (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (Hardcover)

This book is written by an individual who is clearly not a even flight instructor. In fact, he gives some information that is NOt correct and may well get the student/pilot in dutch with Air Traffic Control.

As a flight instructor myself one of my students bought this to help himself with his radio work. The book suggests the use of "with you" in the inital call up to control.

The term "with you" is incorrect for several reasons: It is untrue the pilot is not with the controller.
Second, this term is NOT found ANYWHERE in the pilot-controller glossary as part of the AIM.

I have heard controllers correcting even airline crews for using this incorrect term.

If you buy this book and use it's terinology you WILL hear about it; probably from ATC, and your instructor if he/she is proficient in radion coimmunication, and almost definitaely from your examiner!

4.0 out of 5 stars one of the standards to read and know, April 13, 2011

By 

Cameraman (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (Paperback)

a lot of schools seem to have this book around. it's concise and well organized. doesnt cover enough on panel instruments for my taste, but is really a valuable book to refer to for most other things.