The newest edition of this classic flight manual starts off with some important, but too often overlooked, points of flying (headwork, air discipline, personal attitude, and priorities) and follows up with the details of how an airplane flies. The book then continues through an entire flight training program ending with preparation for the private pilot practical test (the check ride). A complete syllabus is included.

Part 4, for example, describes the details of cross-country and night flying. The reader is taken through the basics of navigation, weather details, charts, and radio usage. There’s a sample flight (Sewanee, Tennessee-Maury County, Tennessee-Huntsville, Alabama-Sewanee) with an annotated sectional chart with color photos showing how each check point and landmark along the route actually appears from the air.

The Student Pilot’s Flight Manual is also useful to a certificated pilot returning to flying after a long layoff or a current pilot wanting to brush up for the (biennial) flight review.

Over the years, many people have commented how William K. Kershner’s writing style made what had been a confusing topic more easily understood. That tradition continues in the 12th edition.

Upper cover photo by Mike Fizer