Private Pilot

Medical

Fairly early in the training you should visit an Aviation Medical Examiner and obtain a medical certificate. Note that mine on the left is the 2nd class, I need it for commercial operations. You should request 3rd class medical when visiting an AME. To be able to solo towards the end of the phase 1, you will also need a student pilot certificate, so apply for one as soon as you start training, at FAA website called IACRA. Your instructor will need to sign off on your application.

Tests

You will have to pass three tests to obtain a pilot certificate:

• written test consists of answering multiple-choice questions. Ideally, you should take that test in the first half of your flight training.
• oral test will be given by a DPE (Designate Pilot Examiner), who is authorized by FAA to administer tests.
• practical test will be given by the same DPE, typically at the satisfactory conclusion of the oral test

You will receive a pilot certificate immediately after the conclusion of the practical test.

• Aircraft Spruce
• Sporty's

• Jeppesen
• King Schools

• My Pilot Store
• Pilot Mall

Headset

You must buy a headset. The noise in light general aviation airplane is such that normal conversation is almost impossible and the headset is also practically required for radio communications. Headsets come in two variants: with passive or active noise cancellation. While the later are more expensive, I recommend you buy a headset with active noise cancellation, since it will greatly increase your comfort. Bose and Lightspeed are my preferences, but there are many other great models to shop for.

Kneeboard

You will need to write down things when flying and a good kneeboard will allow you to do that, but also keeps your most important notes, charts and checklists handy. I recommend a binder style kneeboard, such as Ultimate Kneeboard where you can insert pages in plastic sleeves, for example checklists. An alternative, since you will be using iPad for navigation anyway, is to use it also for taking notes.

E6B

In good old days, before computers were invented, people used logarithimic rulers to speed up calculations. E6B is just that, except that it is round and specialized for aviation. FAA insists that, except for a simple add/multiple calculator, you use that method to compute speeds, distances, wind in particular during written tests. The good news is that there is an electronic version now, which you may have with you during written test. I highly recommend that you buy electronic version instead of mechanical. You will only use it for tests.

Tablet

Before iPad, paper charts where the only way to navigate. Now, almost all pilots use electronic version. One of the leading aviation apps, Foreflight, is available only on iOS, so you should buy an iPad if you plan to use it. The size is linked to your decision of using iPad or paper to make notes. If you are not comfortable in using iPad, then buy iPad mini, because anything bigger will be difficult to handle together with a notepad. Otherwise, 11 inch iPad Air works great for me. When you buy one, make sure you buy a version which supports cellular data. Even if you don't use cellular data, the WIFI-only version doesn't have internal GPS. You will also need an aviation app; Foreflight, and Garmin Pilot are the leading applications.

Flight bag

It is convenient to keep all your aviation stuff in a single bag. It doesn't have to be an aviation flight bag, but they are often conveniently designed.

Flashlights

You must have a flashlight for night flying and I would recommend to have two, together with ample supply of batteries in your flight bag. Remember then anything with aviation word in it will be significantly more expensive then a general purpose item. In case of a flashlight, there is really no difference.

Airman Certification Standards

ACS is a little book published by FAA, which includes description of all maneuvers that an examiner may ask you to do during a practical test. You should buy a paper copy, study it carefully and have it with you during the test.

Oral test guide

I found this little book very useful to prepare for the oral test. There is also software with similar intent and unlike the software and book for the written test, these ones are not redundant.

POH

Airplane Information Manual or Pilot Operating Handbook is specific to a given airplane and you can find it inside one. To study at home, you should buy a generic version, for example for a Cessna 172.

FAR and AIM

This is FAA bible containing all regulations pertaining to light aviation. You scan either buy a paper copy read it online at AIM, FAR or buy an iOS app, which has the advantage of being continously updated. No matter what you buy, you will need to study it and make sure you have a current version with you during the practical test.