Aviation Safety Research         "Technical Research in the field of Aeronautics"
                       Resources for Flight Operations

"The Flight Training Handbook of 1980 is arguably dated, and while times have changed, the laws of aerodynamics have not.

Despite innovations in avionics, greater airspace complexities, and more efficient aircraft designs, the way airplanes fly has not changed.

I think you will agree that the Flight Training Handbook of 1980 is a timeless reference work, for anyone wishing to improve their aeronautical knowledge."  - Tom Gorski 2014

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ALBUM NOTES

When I was learning to fly, my instructor introduced me to the Flight Training Handbook.
The way he explained it, he said "The Flight Training Handbook is the Bible of Flight Training."
My instructor went on to tell me how the Flight Training Handbook came into existence. He said the FAA had a conference where instructors and examiners from all over the country came together and were given the task of sharing with the rest of the group how flight training should be conducted. The groups presented what they considered were the best ways of teaching certain procedures and maneuvers, and offered the most concise explanations of aerodynamic theories and principles. The instructors at the conference were required to defend their explanations in front of everyone, and the group then voted on what they believed were the finest most well-received presentations. Those versions of practices and principles were incorporated into the Flight Training Handbook, and recognized as the standard explanation of flight maneuvers, flight procedures, and aerodynamics.

This Flight Training handbook was developed to assist
(1) student pilots learning to fly airplanes,
(2) certificated pilots who wish to improve their flight proficiency and aeronautical knowledge, or are preparing for additional certificates or ratings, and
(3) flight instructors engaged in the instruction of both students and certificated pilots.

It introduces the prospective pilot to the realm of flight and provides information and guidance to all pilots in the performance of procedures and maneuvers which have specific functions in various pilot operations.
The discussions and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles in today's pilot operations, which are acceptable by the Federal Aviation Administration.

I recorded this audio book version of FAA Advisory Circular 61-21A in 1989 using a lapel microphone and a cassette tape recorder. My recording studio was a closet for clothing, and my editing technique was to rewind the cassette deck to fix errors on-the-fly, while reading the book. Having no means of duplicating and marketing the tapes, I put them in storage, and listened to them for the first time 24 years later."

"My original recordings sound quite good, and I hope you will agree."
-Tom Gorski 2267082CFI

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