018 TOOLS
Pilot Tools
-
T-01
METAR Decoder
Any METAR (Meteorological Aerodrome Report), decoded into plain-English weather.
-
T-02
Density Altitude Decoder
Density altitude worked line by line, the way the FAA written test does it.
-
T-03
Wind Tunnel Decoder
Watch air flow over a wing and then change the angle of attack (AOA), see lift, drag, and stall live.
-
T-04
Flight Pattern Decoder
The VFR traffic pattern, animated: circuits, entries, radio calls, and live wind at Georgetown Executive (KGTU).
-
T-05
Zulu Decoder
Convert between Zulu (UTC) and the four U.S. time zones, in 24-hour and 12-hour time.
-
T-06
Cloud Decoder
Upload a photo of the sky and get the cloud type(s) identified, from a pilot's perspective.
-
T-07
Phonetic Alphabet Decoder
The ICAO phonetic alphabet exactly as the AIM publishes it, with pronunciations and drills for callsign readback.
-
T-08
METAR/TAF Abbreviations Decoder
Every abbreviation in the FAA METAR/TAF decode key, all 155 of them, with a searchable reference and four drills.
027 CATEGORIES · 32 LINKS
Resources
Certification, medical & airman records
- Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) — Apply for student pilot certificates, airman certificates, ratings, and other certification actions.
- FAA MedXPress — Complete the online application for an FAA medical certificate before visiting an Aviation Medical Examiner.
- Aviation Medical Examiner Locator — Find an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.
- FAA Airmen Inquiry — Look up airman information and access FAA airman-record services.
- FCC Universal Licensing System — Apply for and manage FCC radio licenses, including a Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit when required.
Weather & flight planning
- Aviation Weather Center — Access METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, graphical forecasts, radar, satellite imagery, and other aviation weather products.
- Leidos Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) — Obtain official weather briefings and file, amend, activate, or close flight plans.
- SkyVector — View interactive VFR and IFR charts and use chart-based flight-planning tools.
Airports, NOTAMs & airspace
- FAA Airport Data and Information Portal (ADIP) — Search official airport, runway, frequency, facility, ownership, and field-elevation data.
- FAA Airport Diagrams — Search and download official FAA airport diagrams by airport identifier.
- FAA NOTAM Search — Search current Notices to Air Missions. Enter 50R for Lockhart Municipal Airport.
- FAA Temporary Flight Restriction List — Review Temporary Flight Restrictions currently published by the FAA.
- FAA VFR Raster Charts — Download official FAA sectional charts, terminal area charts, and other VFR chart products.
- VFRMap — Pan and zoom the VFR sectional chart in your browser; search an identifier such as KGTU to jump to an airport.
- FAA Chart Supplement — Download the Chart Supplement (formerly the Airport/Facility Directory) with airport, frequency, runway, and service details.
- Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) — Query the FAA's historical and forecast aviation-activity data for U.S. airports (airport planning; distinct from the weather TAF).
Aircraft registration & flight tracking
- FAA N-Number Lookup — Search the U.S. civil aircraft registry by registration number, owner, manufacturer, model, or serial number.
- Flightradar24 — Track live air traffic and review flight and aircraft histories worldwide.
- LiveATC.net — Listen to live and archived air traffic control audio from airports worldwide.
Knowledge testing & study portals
- FAA Knowledge Testing Through PSI — Schedule and manage an FAA airman knowledge test, including the Private Pilot Airplane test.
- Federal Aviation Regulations (eCFR Title 14) — Read the current, continuously updated federal aviation regulations.
- FAA Aviation Handbooks and Manuals — Access FAA pilot handbooks, flying handbooks, weather references, and other aviation manuals.
- Airman Certification Standards (ACS) — Access the standards used for FAA knowledge testing, risk-management evaluation, and practical tests.
- FAASafety.gov and WINGS — Take FAA safety courses, attend seminars, and participate in the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.
Flight-training operations
- FlightCircle — Schedule aircraft and instructors and access flight-school or flying-club management functions.
- Sporty’s — Online pilot training courses, test prep, and aviation gear from Sporty’s Pilot Shop.
Pilot organizations
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) — General aviation advocacy, training resources, flight-planning tools, publications, and pilot services.
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) — Pilot education, homebuilt-aircraft resources, local chapters, Young Eagles, proficiency programs, and AirVenture.
036 CATEGORIES · 26 DOCUMENTS
Publications
Certification standards & testing
- FAA-G-ACS-2ACS Companion Guide for PilotsExplains the ACS framework, codes, testing procedures, and supporting guidance.
- FAA-S-ACS-6CPrivate Pilot for Airplane CategoryDefines the knowledge, risk-management, and flight-proficiency standards for the private-pilot airplane practical test.
- ACS Frequently Asked QuestionsAnswers common questions about ACS development, codes, knowledge testing, and practical-test use.
- FAA-CT-8080-2HAirman Knowledge Testing SupplementContains figures, charts, maps, tables, and performance information used during the private-pilot knowledge test.
Core pilot handbooks
- FAA-H-8083-1BAircraft Weight and Balance HandbookExplains aircraft weight-and-balance terminology, calculations, loading, center of gravity, and performance effects.
- FAA-H-8083-2ARisk Management HandbookCovers aeronautical decision-making, hazard identification, risk assessment, and risk mitigation.
- FAA-H-8083-3CAirplane Flying HandbookExplains airplane maneuvers, procedures, flight techniques, and common pilot errors.
- FAA-H-8083-25CPilot's Handbook of Aeronautical KnowledgeThe FAA's primary ground-study textbook covering aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather, navigation, performance, and operations.
- FAA-H-8083-28BAviation Weather HandbookComprehensive FAA reference covering aviation weather theory, hazards, weather products, and weather-related decision-making.
- FAA-P-8740-2Density AltitudeFAA safety publication explaining density altitude and its effect on aircraft and engine performance.
Charts, procedures & terminology
- Aeronautical Chart User's GuideExplains FAA chart symbols, colors, airspace depictions, airport data, obstacles, and chart conventions.
- Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)FAA guide to flight information, operating practices, air traffic control procedures, and the National Airspace System.
- Pilot/Controller GlossaryDefines standardized terminology and phraseology used in pilot-controller communications.
- NATO Phonetic AlphabetThe Alfa-through-Zulu spelling alphabet used in aviation radio communications.
Advisory circulars
- ALL ACsAll Current Advisory CircularsThe FAA's complete index of active advisory circulars across every subject class, searchable and filterable. The authoritative list; the entries below are the ones most relevant to primary training.
- AC 61 SERIESAC 61 Series — Certification: Pilots and Flight InstructorsAdvisory circulars on pilot and instructor certification under 14 CFR part 61, including the two listed below.
- AC 90 SERIESAC 90 Series — Air Traffic and General Operating RulesAdvisory circulars on air traffic procedures and general operations, including non-towered airport operations. Note that 90 is an AC numbering series, not a CFR part.
- AC 91 SERIESAC 91 Series — General Operating and Flight RulesAdvisory circulars supporting 14 CFR part 91, the general operating and flight rules that govern how you fly.
- AC 61-65KCertification: Pilots and Flight and Ground InstructorsProvides certification guidance, knowledge-test procedures, and recommended sample logbook endorsements.
- AC 61-141Flight Instructors as Certifying Officials for Student Pilot and Remote Pilot ApplicantsHow a flight instructor reviews and accepts an application for a student pilot or remote pilot certificate, by IACRA or on paper.
- AC 90-66CNon-Towered Airport Flight OperationsProvides recommended operating and communication procedures at airports without operating control towers.
- AC 91-73BParts 91 and 135 Single Pilot, Flight School Procedures During Taxi OperationsRecommended standard operating procedures for taxi operations, aimed at preventing runway incursions.
- AC 91-92Pilot's Guide to a Preflight BriefingGuidance for the preflight action required by 14 CFR 91.103, covering self-briefings, the standard, abbreviated, and outlook briefing types, weather sources, and a sample preflight checklist.
FAA orders
- JO 7110.65BBAir Traffic ControlPrescribes air traffic control procedures, responsibilities, separation standards, and phraseology used by controllers.
- JO 7900.5ESurface Weather ObservingPrescribes procedures for aviation surface weather observations, including METAR and SPECI coding.
Aircraft manuals
- CESSNA 172Cessna 172 / Skyhawk Owner's ManualOwner's manual for the Cessna 172/Skyhawk, covering operating procedures, performance figures, and servicing. This is the type flown as N8381L.