Free FAA resources
The FAA publishes its core pilot handbooks for free. These links go to the official FAA pages (verified Oct 17, 2026 from the FAA Aviation Handbooks & Manuals page). Always check there for the current edition and addenda.
- Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK): FAA-H-8083-25C. The core knowledge text for private pilots and beyond.
- Airplane Flying Handbook: FAA-H-8083-3C. Maneuvers and procedures for airplane pilots.
- Instrument Flying Handbook (PDF): FAA-H-8083-15B. Basic and advanced instrument flying.
- Instrument Procedures Handbook: Approaches, departures, and IFR charts and procedures.
- Aviation Weather Handbook: FAA-H-8083-28. Weather theory, hazards and products.
- Risk Management Handbook: FAA-H-8083-2A. Aeronautical decision making and risk.
- Risk Management Brochures: Short pilot risk-management brochures.
- Weight & Balance Handbook (PDF): FAA-H-8083-1B. Weight and balance for pilots and loaders.
- Aviation Instructor’s Handbook: For flight instructors and anyone who teaches.
- Helicopter Flying Handbook: Rotorcraft pilots (helicopter).
- Glider Flying Handbook: Glider pilots.
- Remote Pilot – sUAS Study Guide (PDF): FAA-G-8082-22. Part 107 drone knowledge test prep.
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM): Basic flight information and ATC procedures.
- Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide: How to read VFR and IFR charts.
Free IFR practice from Sporty’s
Picked from Sporty’s IFR Month (links checked Oct 17, 2026). Free quizzes, interactive exercises and articles from Sporty’s media sites. We have no affiliate relationship with Sporty’s.
- Quiz: IFR acronyms (quiz)
- Quiz: Regulations for Instrument Flight Rules (quiz)
- Interactive exercise: Unusual attitude recovery (exercise)
- IFR holding pattern interactive scenarios (exercise)
- Basic attitude instrument flying: the foundation for IFR (article)
- Understanding and executing IFR holding procedures (article)
- How to get an IFR clearance at a non-towered airport (article)
- Keeping one step ahead of ATC when flying IFR (article)
Free from Boldmethod
Free articles, quizzes, videos and instructor tools from Boldmethod (links checked Oct 17, 2026). No affiliate relationship.
- Boldmethod articles
- Boldmethod quizzes
- Boldmethod IFR quizzes
- Boldmethod videos
- Boldmethod free CFI tools
- Boldmethod on YouTube
Free calculators and trainers
Browser tools by Jason Blair at jasonblair.net (links checked Oct 17, 2026). Credit to Jason Blair; we are not affiliated. Not FAA-reviewed, so check current regulations.
- CFI Duty Time Calculator
- Instructional Flight Record Form
- Flight Training Budget Calculator
- FAA Light Gun Signal Trainer
- Aircraft Right of Way Scenario Trainer
Not affiliated with the FAA. Content belongs to the FAA; we link to it and do not host or modify it. Not flight instruction.