PHAK in plain English.
Foundational FAA aeronautical knowledge for student pilots — aerodynamics, weather theory, navigation, performance, airspace, and physiology.
The Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) is published free by the FAA. As of 2026-08-02, The FAA lists FAA-H-8083-25C as the current Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. This index breaks that handbook into 119 named topics across 17 chapters so you can jump straight to a subject instead of scrolling a PDF.
Chapter numbers on this page follow FAA-H-8083-25C. Some topic URLs still carry a chapter number from an earlier edition — /handbook/phak/14-class-e-airspace is Class E airspace, which is Chapter 15 in the current handbook. The URL is a permanent address; the chapter heading is the current number.
Source: FAA PHAK page (FAA-H-8083-25C); date_retrieved: 2026-08-02.
PHAK Chapter 1 · Introduction to Flying
5 topicsPHAK Chapter 2 · Aeronautical Decision-Making
6 topicsPHAK Chapter 3 · Aircraft Construction
5 topicsPHAK Chapter 4 · Principles of Flight
5 topicsPHAK Chapter 5 · Aerodynamics of Flight
7 topicsPHAK Chapter 6 · Flight Controls
4 topicsPHAK Chapter 7 · Aircraft Systems
10 topicsPHAK Chapter 8 · Flight Instruments
7 topicsPHAK Chapter 9 · Flight Manuals and Other Documents
4 topicsPHAK Chapter 10 · Weight and Balance
5 topicsPHAK Chapter 11 · Aircraft Performance
9 topicsPHAK Chapter 12 · Weather Theory
10 topicsPHAK Chapter 13 · Aviation Weather Services
9 topicsPHAK Chapter 14 · Airport Operations
6 topicsPHAK Chapter 15 · Airspace
11 topicsPHAK Chapter 16 · Navigation
9 topicsPHAK Chapter 17 · Aeromedical Factors
7 topicsPHAK FAQ
- What is the PHAK (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge)?
- The PHAK is the FAA’s foundational knowledge handbook for student and certificated pilots, covering aerodynamics, aircraft systems, flight instruments, weight and balance, performance, weather, airspace, navigation, and aeromedical factors. As of 2026-08-02 the FAA lists the current edition as FAA-H-8083-25C.
- Which PHAK chapter covers a given topic?
- Use the chapter list on this page: chapter numbers here follow FAA-H-8083-25C, the current edition, so Chapter 2 is Aeronautical Decision-Making, Chapter 15 is Airspace, and Chapter 16 is Navigation. Older editions numbered these differently — FAA-H-8083-25A put Aircraft Structure at Chapter 2 and Navigation at Chapter 15 — so if your copy disagrees, check its edition code on the cover page.
- Is the PHAK regulatory?
- No. The PHAK is FAA guidance and explanation; the binding rules are the Federal Aviation Regulations in Title 14 CFR. Knowledge drawn from the PHAK is still tested on the FAA written exam and the practical test.
- Where can I read the official PHAK?
- The FAA publishes the handbook free as a PDF from its Aviation Handbooks & Manuals page. Use the FAA PDF when you need the official wording and figures, and use this index when you want to jump straight to one topic in plain English.