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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
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