Flight Training
- Be A Pilot AOPA's introduction to flight training
- AOPA Project Pilot AOPA can help you find a mentor
- AOPA Flight Training A great place to start your investigation
- LearnToFly Cessna's site on learning to fly
- The Ninety-Nines have something to say too!
- Pilot Finance Financing for your flight training
- FAA has something to say
- Free online Ground School from Gold Seal
Flight Planning
- AOPA Internet Flight Planner (membership required)
- Airnav Information about any airport
- DUAT -Official Briefing
- CSC DUATS -Official Briefing
- Lockheed Martin AFSS
- SkyVector - Online Sectionals
- FlightCentral
- FlightAware Track a plane's progress on an IFR flight plan
- FltPlan.com a free Flight Planning website for General Aviation pilots.
- Published NOTAMs Not given by AFSS unless requested!
- AeroPlannerweb-based flight planning service. Free for EAA members!
Flight Organizations
- Ninety-Nines, International Oranization of Women Pilots
- Women in Aviation, International Another organization for women pilots
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Concentrating on light sport/sport pilot and home-built
- Aircraft Owner's & Pilot's Association (AOPA) The grand-daddy of pilot organizations
- U.S. Pilot's Association a grassroots organization of general aviation pilots
- Air Safety Foundation (ASF) an offshoot of AOPA, providing a lot of safety education
Federal Resources
- FAA Safety Team (SPANS)
- National Transportation & Safety Board (NTSB) Aviation Branch
- Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS)
Aviation Weather
- Aviation Weather (AC 00-6) The "official" book about understanding the weather from the people who write the tests.
- Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45F) and the companion "official" book about how to get a weather briefing; also from the people who write the tests.
- aviationweather.gov NOAA has put together some really good weather information here. It does not constitute an official briefing, however!
- JesseWeather shows weather trends. It also provides notifications when the weather is better or worse than the criteria you set! Get notified when you can get some solo time or can get some actual instrument time!
- intellicast This private site has some very good severe weather radar.
- noaa.gov If you're interested in overall or non-aviation weather, this is a good place to start.
- AvnWx.com Aviation Weather Maps This is a private site that brings together a number of weather and aviation resources in a chart-oriented perspective. Definitely worth checking out.
- Chesapeake Aviation Training has a series of intensive training CD-ROMs and one-on-one online consultation by CFI and former NWS meteorologist Scott Dennstaedt focused on weather.
Online Communities
- Pilots of America, aka the Blue Board, is one of the best gathering places of general aviation enthusiasts on the Internet. It is also open to conversations outside of the aviation realm. They have annual gatherings, including the Gaston's flyin that's one of our 2009 destinations.
- studentpilot a forum run by Neil Glaser of PilotMall.com
- AOPA Forums, aka the Red Board, is an extremely active general aviation community that focuses solely on aviation.
- Purple Board was started as a combination of the "red board" and the "purple board".
Aviation Interests
- Angel Flight Central
- LifeLine Pilots
- Civil Air Patrol
- Cessna Pilot's Society
- PilotCast an Aviation Podcast
- Fly 2 Lunch a free $100 Hamburger site
- Adventure Pilot Fun places to go on and around airports nationwide
- Illinois Aviation Museum at Bolingbrook
Buying a Plane
- Many planes will be shown at the Cavalcade of Planes.
- Trade-a-Plane has many available and is available free in the A & M Lobby
- Diamond aircraft
- Cessna Aircraft
Getting your Certificate
- Aviation Medical Examiners Unless going for a Sport Pilot, you'll need a medical!
- Application for Certificate (IACRA) You can fill out your application online!
- Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application for Pilots, Flight Instructors and Ground Instructors (8710-1) or print it out yourself
- Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application for Sport Pilot (8710-11)
- Update your address with the FAA if you already have a certificate and have moved
Pilot Blogs
- Purdue a student pilot out of Joliet, IL
- Matt Teller, Beech 1900 first officer
- Rob Schaffer, a student pilot in PA
FAA Source Documents
This is the "official source" for much of the information you'll need when flying. They actually have a good deal of very useful information. A word of warning, though. While you can certainly print out the documents here, it is actually cheaper in many cases to purchase them printed and bound.- Student Pilot's Guide (FAA-H-8083-27A)
- Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs)
- Aeronautical Information Manual
- Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA_H-8083-3A)
- Pilot/Controller Glossary
- Aviation Weather (AC 00-6)
- Aviation Weather Services (AC 00-45F)
- Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25)
- Instrument Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-15A)
- Instrument Procedures Handbook (FAA-H-8261-1A)
- Certification: Pilots and Flight & Ground Instructors (including endorsements) (AC 61-65E)
GPS Operating Guides & Simulators
KLN89B
KLN90B
KLN94
Garmin 430/530
- GNS 430 Pilot's Guide
- GNS 430 Quick Reference Guide
- Sample GNS 530/430 Training Syllabus
- Garmin 430 Product Simulator
Garmin G1000
- Cockpit Reference Guide (System Software Version 0563.03 or later), Rev. A, Mar, 2007
- Cockpit Reference Guide Addendum (Cessna Nav III), Rev. A, Jul, 2005
- Pilot's Guide (System Software Version 0563.03 or later), Rev. A, Mar, 2007
- Garmin G1000 PC Trainer (for purchase from Garmin)
Other Avionics
- STEC30 Pilot's Operating Handbook autopilot
- KAP140 Pilot's Guide autopilot
- Avidyne TAS600 (Ryan 9900BX TCAD)