THE LIST
I’ll keep adding new resources as I find them.
Be curious! Dig around the interwebs. Tell me if you find something new.
Blue skies and tailwinds!
STICK AND RUDDER
One of the first explorations of the theory and practice of flying airplanes, STICK AND RUDDER is still a great read and belongs on the bookshelf of any aspiring or experienced pilot. Author Wolfgang Langewiesche was not only skilled as an aviator but was an excellent writer, too, distilling big concepts into easy to grasp prose.
While there are indeed a few sections that feel quaint, most of this book is practical and relevant to modern pilots.
I remember where I was sitting when I read his explanation that we use opposite rudder to arrest an incipient spin in order to SPEED UP the FALLING WING. Boom. Mind blown.
Keep this book with you during your training and dig back in when grounded for weather or equipment breakdowns. You’ll learn and feel inspired to be part of a long decades-old tradition.
AVIATION 101
One of the earliest aviation YouTube channels, AVIATION 101 started when creator Josh was still in high school! He was obviously obsessed with flying and it shows in every video.
He has since become a professional CFI and uses his long experience to highlight the great potential of being a pilot, from fun trips to personal development. Josh is particularly humble, too, often exploring his own inflight decision making and asking if there might have been other options.
His call to arms after a fatal accident during flight training is a must read for students and instructors alike.
But mostly, this channel is simply infectious fun.
BEHIND THE WINGS
From Denver’s WINGS OVER THE ROCKIES AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, this video series from PBS explores many sides of modern and historical aviation, including both military and civilian aircraft and a variety of missions from medevac helicopters to spaceflight.
You can find most of their programming on the YouTube channel.
Great to watch when you’re grounded for weather or just need to get inspired!
Great to watch when you’re grounded for weather or just need to get inspired!
GUIDO WARNECKE
An inspiration as I was dreaming about becoming a pilot, GUIDO WARNECKE demonstrates real world commercial flying with cockpit videos from his working life.
His videos have clear explanations of mostly single-pilot IFR procedures and a clear focus on situational awareness and precision flying.
Guido flies all around the world in a variety of airplanes, from single-engine pistons to turboprops and business jets. In the past few years, most of his videos have focused on his aircraft ferrying business, delivering airplanes around the globe.
SKYFARING
A wonderful read for pilots, non-pilots, and aspiring pilots alike, SKYFARING was written by a career changer who flies around the world for a major international airline. This book captures the romance of flight and the many challenges and inspirational moments of global travel.
As much as I enjoyed reading this book, I’ve been pleased to recommend it to fellow pilots and especially to non-flying friends and family.
You’ll never think about waypoints or jet lag in the same way.
FLIGHT CHOPS
One of my favorite YouTube channels, FLIGHT CHOPS has been publishing sophisticated and fun videos about flight training and flying for fun for years.
Created by a career film/TV editor who wanted to document his own private pilot experiences for self-evaluation, this channel has become the center of a real aviation community. The host is an engaging and humble pilot, eager to learn new things and share what he knows.
Highlights include: tailwheel, instrument, float plane endorsements and multi-engine certificate training, building an experimental aircraft, flying warbirds, and aerobatics.