Sport Pilot Training Materials
I have found the following materials necessary or useful to prepare
for the FAA Sport Pilot written test and for pilot education in
general:
Weight Shift Control
Aviation Handbook by Eric Johnson – basically a rewrite of the
FAA classic Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge with lots of
additional information specifically about trikes and Sport Pilots.
The most useful trike reference I’ve found.
Trike Flyer’s Manual by Mark Phillips – a brief and concise “how
to” book for trike flying. I’ve used this book since I started
training and still recommend it.
Learn to Fly a Trike
(video by Paul Hamilton) – visual reinforcement of some of the
information in the 2 books listed above.
King
Schools Sport Pilot Exam course on CD-ROM – An excellent melding
of video presentations and practice tests. The Kings do a fine job.
(Unfortunately, this is not a replacement for the material listed
above.)
FAR/AIM
(Federal Aviation Regulations / Airman’s Information Manual) –
indispensable reference for the rules governing pilot training and
certification (Part 61), flight rules (Part 91), Ultralight rules
(Part 103), airspace definitions and rules (AIM), and airport
markings and procedures (AIM). Available online at …
Practical Test Standards; Sport Pilot for Weight-Shift Control,
Powered Parachute and Flight Instructor (FAA-S-8081-31) – The
FAA standard for training and practical testing procedures.
Essential.
CPS catalog – terrific reference for operation of Rotax engines
and ultralights in general. They have everything I need in stock,
they are generous with assistance, and their service has always been
great. I am happy to support Mike and don’t mind paying a little
premium for value received.
Sectional Chart – THE map used for VFR navigation. Issued twice
a year. Always carry A CURRENT sectional in your trike when you
leave the airport vicinity – even if you plan to navigate by GPS. I
use a kneeboard in flight. I’ve never even TRIED handling a
sectional in the air and I wouldn’t recommend that you try it
either.
AFD (Airport Facility Directory) – the official source for
airport information and procedures. Updated quarterly. There are
alternatives to this book that better illustrated and easier to use
but they are more expensive and must be updated continuously to be
reliable.
Plotter
and Flight Computer – Necessary for cross-country flight
planning. Many variations are available and they all work. I use a
manual E6-B (designed in 1932 or maybe even earlier) but the
electronic units work well for someone who has never used a slide
rule and doesn’t want to learn now.
“Test Prep” material – A variety of books or software that feed
you test questions. These items will help you pass the written test
but are NOT sufficient primary sources of information. Paul
Hamilton’s “Checkride” book is outstanding in this group.