gsGroundScholar
119 topics indexed
PHAK LIBRARY

PHAK in plain English.

Foundational FAA aeronautical knowledge for student pilots — aerodynamics, weather theory, navigation, performance, airspace, and physiology.

PHAK Chapter 1

5 topics
FAA Organization and Structure
Ground School and Flight Training Overview
History of Flight
Medical Certificates
Types of Pilot Certificates

PHAK Chapter 2

5 topics
Empennage
Fuselage and Wings
Landing Gear
Powerplant
Aircraft Subcomponents and Major Types

PHAK Chapter 3

5 topics
Airfoil Design
Angle of Attack and Lift
Atmosphere and Atmospheric Pressure
The Four Forces of Flight
Newton's Laws of Motion Applied to Flight

PHAK Chapter 4

7 topics
Types of Drag
Ground Effect
Lift and Bernoulli's Principle
Load Factor and Maneuvering Speed
Left-Turning Tendencies (Torque, P-Factor, Spiraling Slipstream, Gyroscopic Precession)
Aircraft Stability and Control
Stalls and Spins

PHAK Chapter 5

4 topics
Control Surface Effectiveness
Primary Flight Controls: Ailerons, Elevator, and Rudder
Secondary Flight Controls: Flaps and Trim Systems
Trim Systems

PHAK Chapter 6

10 topics
Carburetor Icing
Electrical System
Environmental Systems
Fuel Injection Systems
Fuel Systems
Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems
Ice Control Systems
Magnetos and the Ignition System
Powerplant Types
Propeller Systems

PHAK Chapter 7

7 topics
Pitot-Static Instruments: Altimeter, Airspeed Indicator, and VSI
Gyroscopic Flight Instruments: Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, and Turn Coordinator
Glass Cockpit: Primary Flight Display (PFD) and Multi-Function Display (MFD)
Gyroscopic Flight Instruments
Magnetic Compass
Pitot-Static System
Vacuum System and Failure

PHAK Chapter 8

4 topics
Airworthiness Certificate
Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) and Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Structure
Aircraft Registration and Radio Station License
Required Aircraft Documents (ARROW)

PHAK Chapter 9

5 topics
Center of Gravity Calculation
Loading Graphs
Effects of Weight and Balance on Performance
Weight and Balance Principles
Weight Shift Formulas

PHAK Chapter 10

8 topics
Airspeed Indicator Markings (VNE, VNO, VA)
Climb and Cruise Performance
Density Altitude
Takeoff Obstacle Clearance
Performance Charts
Pressure Altitude vs. Density Altitude
Takeoff and Landing Performance
Wind Component Calculation

Chapter 11

1 topics
Aircraft Performance Factors

PHAK Chapter 11

10 topics
Atmospheric Circulation
Clouds and Cloud Types
Dewpoint and Temperature/Dewpoint Spread
Fog and Low Visibility
Fronts and Air Masses
Structural Icing and Icing Conditions
Atmospheric Stability and Instability
Temperature Inversion
Temperature, Pressure, and Moisture
Thunderstorms and Microbursts

PHAK Chapter 12

9 topics
AIRMETs and SIGMETs
Aviation Weather Center (AWC) Resources
Convective SIGMETs
METAR Decoding
NOTAM Types and Preflight Planning
Pilot Reports (PIREPs)
Decoding the Terminal Aerodrome Forecast (TAF)
Aviation Weather Charts
Winds and Temperatures Aloft Forecast (FB)

PHAK Chapter 13

6 topics
Runway Incursion Avoidance
Runway Markings and Lighting
Taxiway Markings and Airport Signs
Towered vs. Non-Towered Airports
Traffic Pattern Operations
Wake Turbulence Avoidance

PHAK Chapter 14

10 topics
Class A Airspace
Class B Airspace
Class C Airspace
Class D Airspace
Class E Airspace
Class G Airspace
Mode C Veil and Transponder Requirements
Special Use Airspace
Special VFR Clearance
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

Chapter 15

1 topics
Airspace Classes and Operating Requirements

PHAK Chapter 15

9 topics
Cross-Country Flight Planning
GPS and Area Navigation (RNAV)
LORAN and ADF Navigation
Magnetic Variation and Compass Deviation
Pilotage and Dead Reckoning
Time, Distance, and Speed Calculations
VFR Charts: Sectional and Terminal Area Charts (TAC)
VFR Waypoints
VOR Navigation

PHAK Chapter 16

6 topics
Aeronautical Decision-Making (ADM)
Crew Resource Management (CRM) and Single-Pilot Resource Management (SRM)
Hazardous Attitudes
IMSAFE Checklist
PAVE Checklist
Risk Management and the 3P Model

PHAK Chapter 17

7 topics
Alcohol and Drugs
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Hyperventilation
Hypoxia
Middle Ear and Sinus Problems
Motion Sickness
Spatial Disorientation