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Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) Audiobook

Updated: May 22, 2022

Below you will find podcast readings of the different chapters of the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. These can be great tools for studying on-the-go. Below each podcast you will also find a list of the general topics that are covered in that particular chapter. If you would like to search for a particular study topic, follow the instructions listed below:


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Chapters of the PHAK (click to jump to a chapter):

 

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION TO FLYING

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • History of Flight

  • History of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

  • The Role of the FAA

  • Aircraft Classifications and Ultralight Vehicles

  • Pilot Certifications

  • Selecting a Flight School

  • The Student Pilot

  • Becoming a Pilot

  • Knowledge and Skill Tests


CHAPTER 2 - AERONAUTICAL DECISION MAKING

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • History of ADM

  • Risk Management

  • Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Single Pilot Resource Management

  • Hazards and Risk

  • Human Factors

  • Human Behavior

  • The Decision Making Process

  • Decision Making in a Dynamic Environment

  • Situational Awareness

  • Automation


CHAPTER 3 - AIRCRAFT CONSTRUCTION

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Aircraft Design, Certification, and Airworthiness

  • Lift and Basic Aerodynamics

  • Major Components

  • Subcomponents

  • Types of Aircraft Construction

  • Instrumentation: Moving into the Future

  • Global Positioning System (GPS)


CHAPTER 4 - PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Structure of the Atmosphere

  • Theories in the Production of Lift

  • Airfoil Design

  • A Third Dimension


CHAPTER 5 - AERODYNAMICS OF FLIGHT

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Forces Acting on the Aircraft

  • Wingtip Vortices

  • Ground Effect

  • Axes of an Aircraft

  • Moment and Moment Arm

  • Aircraft Design Characteristics

  • Effect of Wing Planform

  • Aerodynamic Forces in Flight Maneuvers

  • Stalls

  • Angle of Attack Indicators

  • Basic Propeller Principles

  • Load Factors

  • Weight and Balance

  • High Speed Flight


CHAPTER 6 - FLIGHT CONTROLS

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Flight Control Systems

  • Primary Flight Controls

  • Secondary Flight Controls

  • Autopilot


CHAPTER 7 - AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Powerplant

  • Superchargers and Turbosuperchargers

  • Ignition System

  • Oil Systems

  • Engine Cooling Systems

  • Exhaust Systems

  • Starting System

  • Combustion

  • Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)

  • Turbine Engines

  • Airframe Systems

  • Fuel Systems

  • Refueling Procedures

  • Heating System

  • Electrical System

  • Hydraulic Systems

  • Pressurized Aircraft

  • Oxygen Systems

  • Anti-Ice and Deice Systems


CHAPTER 8 - FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Pitot-Static Flight Instruments

  • Electronic Flight Display (EFD)

  • Gyroscopic Flight Instruments

  • Angle of Attack Indicators

  • Compass Systems

  • Outside Air Temperature Gauge (OAT)


CHAPTER 9 - FLIGHT MANUALS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Airplane Flight Manuals (AFM)

  • Aircraft Documents

  • Aircraft Inspections

  • Minimum Equipment Lists (MEL) and Operations with Inoperative Equipment

  • Preventive Maintenance

  • Airworthiness Directives (ADs)

  • Aircraft Owner/Operator Responsibilities


CHAPTER 10 - WEIGHT AND BALANCE

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Weight Control

  • Balance, Stability, and Center of Gravity

  • Determining Loaded Weight and CG


CHAPTER 11 - AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Importance of Performance Data

  • Structure of the Atmosphere

  • Atmospheric Pressure

  • Pressure Altitude

  • Density Altitude

  • Performance

  • Takeoff and Landing Performance

  • Performance Speeds

  • Performance Charts

  • Transport Category Aircraft Performance

  • Air Carrier Obstacle Clearance Requirements


CHAPTER 12 - WEATHER THEORY

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Atmosphere

  • Coriolis Force

  • Measurement of Atmospheric Pressure

  • Altitude and Atmospheric Pressure

  • Altitude and Flight

  • Altitude and the Human Body

  • Wind and Currents

  • Atmospheric Stability

  • Air Masses

  • Fronts


CHAPTER 13 - AVIATION WEATHER SERVICES

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Observations

  • Service Outlets

  • Weather Briefings

  • Aviation Weather Reports

  • Aviation Forecasts

  • Weather Charts

  • ATC Radar Weather Displays

  • Electronic Flight Displays (EFD)/Multi-Function Display (MFD) Weather

  • Pilot Responsibility


CHAPTER 14 - AIRPORT OPERATIONS

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Airport Categories

  • Sources for Airport Data

  • Airport Markings and Signs

  • Airport Lighting

  • Wind Direction Indicators

  • Traffic Patterns

  • Radio Communications

  • Air Traffic Control (ATC) Services

  • Wake Turbulence

  • Collision Avoidance

  • Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS)


CHAPTER 15 - AIRSPACE

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Controlled Airspace

  • Uncontrolled Airspace

  • Special Use Airspace

  • Other Airspace Areas

  • Air Traffic Control and the National Airspace System


CHAPTER 16 - NAVIGATION

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Aeronautical Charts

  • Latitude and Longitude (Meridians and Parallels)

  • Effect of Wind

  • Basic Calculations

  • Pilotage

  • Dead Reckoning

  • Flight Planning

  • Charting the Course

  • Filing a VFR Flight Plan

  • Ground-Based Navigation

  • Lost Procedures

  • Flight Diversion


CHAPTER 17 - AEROMEDICAL FACTORS

General Topics in this Chapter:

  • Obtaining a Medical Certificate

  • Health and Physiological Factors Affecting Pilot Performance

  • Vision in Flight

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