On Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:32:21 GMT, kontiki wrote:

Well for starters it is really hard to beat the venerable FAA
Airplane Flying handbook for starters. You can buy it from any
number of sources, including even many FBO's. But you can also
download it directly from the FAA in PDF format he
http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/a...lane_handbook/

Done, free is my friend.

It gives a great overview of everything you'll need to know and
do to get your private pilot license and includes some great
visuals. Going beyond that... and getting in-depth study and
explanation of every aeronautical topic you will encounter I'd
recommend The The Pilot's Manual (Private and Commercial) by
Trevor Thom. It has excellent explanations, illustrations and
even practice questions at the end of each chapter. I found it
very well written and still use it as a resource on occasions.

Bought.

Of course you should also get the 2008 edition of the the FAR/AIM
(Federal Aviation Regulations and Aeronautical Information Manual)
[and even bring it with you on your check ride].

In studying for the written its hard to beat the tried and
true Gleim Private pilot FAA Knowledge test study guide.
It contains all the subject matter you will need to know to
pass the written test and provides example questions and
in-depth answers to actual questions you will get on the test.

Legal cheat sheets, all for it

Beyond the above texts, there are several DVD courses from
Jeppeson, Sporty's and King Schools. I have viewed several King
and Jeppeson tapes (DVDs) and found them very well done. In fact
all of these three have the entire Private pilot course on DVDs.
I prefer having a textbook myself but DVD coursse can benefit
many people... but they are not cheap... and still no real
substitute for some reading and studying a good textbook.

I can't do the DVD thing unless it is a supplement, Old dogs, no new tricks
but after reading the text, the DVDs prolly make sense. My bet is the under
35 crowd goes for the DVDs in a big way. Few know how to read, imo,
including two sons I know.

Hope this helps, and please keep us posted on your progress Sir.

Thanks for your interest. Maybe the next noobie to trip in here can use
this thread, it is an *immense* help to know where to start and to waste
little time in the process.

I haven't been this excited in many moons.
--
Remove numbers for gmail and for God's sake it ain't "gee" either!