Pilot exam study materials

Apart from the air publications and exam support material, the publications listed here may help you in preparing for your exam.

Both instructors and candidates studying for exams may find these references useful.

Candidates and instructors may use these publications at their own discretion. We are not responsible for any errors in these books.

Threat and error management (TEM) studies

We recommend reading AC 61-08 Teaching and assessing non-technical skills for single-pilot operations for any pilot theory exam which includes TEM questions. In addition, the following may be helpful:

Safety behaviours: human factors for pilots 2nd edition Resource booklet 8 Threat and error management
Safety behaviours: human factors for pilots 2nd edition Resource booklet 9 Human information processing
Aviation Theory Centre's 'Human Being Pilot - Human Factors for Aviation Professionals' in particular Chapter 11. This text is a primary reference used for ATPL Human Factors. The other chapters of the book provide material for the study of human factors, which exam candidates are encouraged to read.

For PPL and CPL, Trevor Thom manuals will provide candidates with information about:

Bob Tait's
- CPL aerodynamics
- CPL general knowledge
- CPL performance
- CPL meteorology
- CPL navigation
- CPL air Law
- Human performance and limitations
Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators by H.H Hurt
Aircraft - Human Performance & Limitations by Tony Wilson
Human Factors for Pilots (2nd Ed) by R Green et al
Manual of Aviation Meteorology by the Bureau of Meteorology
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts - TAF3 Implementation
- Graphical Area Forecasts (GAFs)

You can find more references for ATPL aeroplane exams in the ATPL exam information books.

Principles of Helicopter Flight by W J Wagtendonk
The Art and Science of Flying Helicopters by Shawn Coyle
Helicopter Handbook (Issue No 3) by Mike Becker
Helicopters Will Take You Anywhere by Ron Newman
Helicopter Maintenance by Joe Schafer (Jeppesen) (Note: this book, as its title suggests, is aimed at the maintenance sector. Selective extracts may be useful and relevant information for pilot studies).

FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) This is the principal reference text and is the basis for many of the PIRC exam questions.
A suitable management book on 'motivation' - A candidate is expected to have basic understanding of the theories of motivation proposed by:
- Abraham Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs'
- Douglas McGregor 'X and Y' Theory
- Frederick Herzberg '2-Factor' Theory.
Human Factors in Flight by Frank Hawkins or any human factors book on 'memory', 'motivation', 'stress', etc - Optional - to supplement information in the above
Preparing Instructional Objectives by Robert F Mager - Optional - to supplement information in the above
Measuring Instructional Results by Robert F Mager - Optional - additional useful text on 'behavioural objectives'

These publications, commonly referred to in flying training circles as 'the blue books', are in regular use with flying schools.

There has been insufficient demand to continue publishing them in hard copy, but for convenience you can now download them.

You can view our legislative documents on our rule pages.

You can also buy operational publications from the Airservices online shop. This includes:

You can also buy items from a reseller outlet in your state or territory.