My name is Aniketh Nair and I’m an aspiring pilot looking to start flight school soon. I’ve done a couple of discovery flights before and have been down a rabbit hole of research into flight schools (will most likely be applying to ATP in Houston).
Regardless of what school I end up at, I want to study as much as possible so that I am prepared. I have a few questions regarding this matter:
Do I have to take any tests before starting flight school? If so, what are they?
Is it a good idea to study the POH and FAR/AIM beforehand? (Obviously not all of it but some of the material)
What books/websites do you recommend I use to prepare as much as possible?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Glad to hear you’ve done your research and been out flying! Lets get right to your questions:
You have to have the PAR complete if you’re starting zero time. (IRA if starting credit private). That gives you one test ahead for the written exams but we recommend you take as many as possible before you start to lighten the study load.
Your study priorities should go as follows: Day one items on your student extranet, Written exams, airplane supplement and elevate videos. The POH and FAR/AIM are a bit heavy reading without any context. You will learn as it can be applied.
If you’re looking for additional reading outside these, check out the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFM) and Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK).
Thank you so much for the info! Glad I asked on this thread first before renting a copy of FAR/AIM haha. Do you have any recommendations on how to study for the PAR and the other written exams before classes begin?
First off, welcome to the forum and we’re glad you stopped on by. As both Adam and Hannah already mentioned, I’m going to provide some of my insight.
In general, no test is required prior to starting flight school. However, we recommend to those attending ATP (and I also recommend those attending other schools) to have completed at least the PAR within 6-9 months of starting your training as a general rule of thumb.
ATP does a really great job on providing a summary of how to be prepared for Day 1 as following:
As per what to study and material beforehand, I would recommend checking out the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (“PHAK”) on the FAA which is a free publication and updated whenever there are changes. You could obviously indulge into YouTube videos from full-time content creators that are Certified Flight Instructors (to name a few; Josh Flowers - Aviation101, Chris Palmer - Angle of Attack, Jason Schappert - MZeroA, etc.). I don’t think it’s necessary to read the FAR/AIM right now because until you understand how to navigate it, it’s going to look like a lot and you’re going to get overwhelmed.
Similarity, my answer above is duplicated. Additionally, the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH) would be another good and free publication readily available on the FAA’s website.
I hope some of this helps or gives you another idea/way that you could get started. Furthermore, do you have an idea when you would like to start flight training?
Thanks Brady! I’ve watched some of Chris Palmer’s videos, he’s great! Will definitely read through those resources. I would like to start training in January 2025
