The following web links and resources are for your convenience. Click here to view online resources for Instrument Pilots.

Find it

Find an FAA medical examiner - Find an FAA Medical Examiner near you with just a few clicks.

Find an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner - Find an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner near you with just a few clicks.

Find a CATS Testing Center near you -  You can find a a testing center near you in seconds by clicking the link above, or you can call CATS at 1-800-947-4228.

Find a Laser Grade Testing Center near you - You can find a a testing center near you in seconds by clicking the link above, or you can call Laser Grade at 1-800-211-2753.

FAA's Airmen Certification page - This link to the FAA's Airmen certification page offers everything you might need for managing your airmen certificate information including, but not limited to: address change, replacing lost or stolen certificates, and replacing Knowledge Test results.

Find a flight school near you - AOPA's flight school directory at your fingertips. This directory gives you a variety of parameters to choose from when searching for a school.

 

Preflight

FAA Flight Plan Form - This is a printable flight plan form that can be used for both VFR and IFR flights.

NOAA - Aviation Weather Center - A wealth of aviation weather information! This should be one of your first stops when planning a flight. Just about any weather information you need can be found here. Some of the information available: latest radar pictures for your area of flight, METARs and TAFs translated automatically into a plain text format, airmets and sigmets, current weather charts, Area Forecasts, PIREPS, satellite images, NOTAMS, and more. Also check out the "Standard Briefing" link on the left side of the page. While not a substitute for a weather briefing, it offers some outstanding tools.

NOAA - National Weather Service - An incredible amount of weather information. While this site is not specifically designed for aviation weather, it can still provide you with some great information.

DUATS (Direct User Access Terminal System) - This site allows you to plan a flight from one location to another, select the type of weather briefing appropriate for your flight and print an easy to use flight log. You can also electronically file your VFR or IFR flight plan.

Airnav.com - One of the best sites we have found for obtaining airport, approach and navaid information. Type in the identifier for any airport or navaid and you will get a wealth of information. Airport charts and approach charts are also available.

MyAFD.com - A good site to find information about the airport you are planning to fly to. You can also find information about the local area and aviation events.

Digital A/FD - produced by the NACO division of the FAA. You can view and download the page for any U.S. airport that is listed in the A/FD. Scroll down the page and click on the Airport Facility Directory with an effective date that meets your needs. Select a state and an airport identifier and the page will be displayed.

Digital Terminal Procedures Publications and Airport Diagrams - produced by the NACO division of the FAA. You can view and download airport diagrams, SIDs, STARs, and IAPs form this site.

Temporary Flight Restrictions - This link takes you to the FAA's graphical TFR site where you can get up-to-date information on TFRs that might affect your flight.

Online Education

General Aviation Pilot's Weather Guide - An excellent overall view of the Weather factors and information that you should consider before, during and after a flight. AOPA's Runway Safety Course - Don't think you're immune from runway incursions. It can happen to anyone. Take this interactive course on AOPA's website and be a safer pilot.

AOPA Air Safety Foundation Library - A wide selection of publications free of charge.

FAA's Airport Taxiway Markings Review - A fun and informative interactive test about airport markings. How well do you know all of your markings?

Taxi Instruction Self-Assessment - 4 short scenarios having to do with taxi clearances. Take this quiz!

Interactive taxiing safety quiz - Real examples of taxi instructions given. A great way to practice understanding taxi instructions.

Airport signs, markings and procedures- a 35 minute video produced by the FAA. This video can be viewed online or downloaded to your computer for offline viewing.

Online Tutor by Pilot Tutor.org - This tutor is an excellent, and fun way to reinforce concepts that you need to know. It has sections designed both for VFR and IFR pilots and is chock full of moving graphics to help your understanding.

AOPA Sky Spotter Program (i.e. How to make PIREPs) - An interactive course on PIREPS.

Say Intentions ... - Produced by AOPA. When pilots find themselves headed for trouble, they often forget one of the most useful tools in cockpit - their radio. ATC is there to help - just call.

Winter Weather and Flying - an Internet Course - An entire course on winter weather phenomena and how to safely operate near the airport and en route. Presented by the National Weather Association's Aviation Weather Committee.

Thunderstorms and Flying - an Internet Course - Presented by the National Weather Association. An entire course on thunderstorms, including thunderstorm development and avoidance techniques,  microbursts, and windshear. Presented by the National Weather Association's Aviation Weather Committee.

Weather Wise: Ceiling and Visibility - Most pilots don't realize that low ceilings and restricted visibilities are aviation's most deadly killers. With a little knowledge, you can minimize the risk these conditions pose.

GPS for VFR Operations - Produced by AOPA. This course offers a clear explanation of how GPS works and how you can use it to make your next VFR flight more efficient, enjoyable, and safe.

NavSimA great tool for helping you learn to interpret what your VOR needles are telling you.

Engine and Propeller - Produced by AOPA. Learn about engine and propeller operation and maintenance. Many repairs can only be made by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, but an understanding of engine and propeller operation can help minimize dangerous wear and costly repairs.

Mountain Flying - Produced by AOPA. This course teaches pilots about the challenges of high density altitude operations, flight planning and performance considerations, mountain weather, and more.

Mission: Possible – Navigating Today's Special Use Airspace - Review the key points of navigating special use airspace and learn how military lights-out training could affect you.

Know Before You Go - Keeping up with the latest regulations in airspace is a hot topic these days. Airspace requirements are constantly changing these days. When planning any trip away from the airport, do your homework!

Pilot Judgment Assessment - A short scenario based interactive course to help you evaluate your judgment skills as a pilot.

Surface Safety - An excellent series of instructional and self testing slides that will help make sure you understand signs, markings and clearances during ground operations.

Pneumatic systems - This AOPA course offers an overview of vacuum and pressure-powered aircraft systems. It explains how pneumatic systems work, and how to handle and avoid pneumatic system failures (approx. 20-30 minutes).

Forms and Reference Material

FAA Advisory Circulars - This link will take you to the FAA's Advisory Circular website. From this site, you can choose a ton of Advisory Circulars to read or download.

NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) Form  - This printable form should be in every pilots flight bag. It can protect you from FAA enforcement action in many instances. It's primary purpose, however, is to enhance safety in the aviation community. For more information on the ASRS program, read Advisory Circular AC00-46D.

FAA Form 8710-1 - Application for an Airman Certificate or Rating - This is the form that you will need to fill out prior to taking your flight test.