Fly with John Thywissen, CFI, CFII, IGI

Private

For my students on their way to a Private Pilot license.

Textbooks

Click the links to buy from Amazon.com:

1. Stick and Rudder. ISBN 0-07-036240-8.
2. The Pilot’s Manual: Flight School. ISBN 978-1-64425-140-X.
3. The Pilot’s Manual: Ground School. ISBN 978-1-64425-203-1.
4. A copy of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for the aircraft you fly—see note below.
5. A copy of the current Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)–both ASA and Gleim publish a compilation of them. You can download these documents from the FAA, but a printed book is easier to refer to.

Notes for use with textbooks

See my Supplemental Notes for use with Stick and Rudder.

A note about ASA Pilot’s Manual series: The books appear huge, but don’t let that bother you! They’re much more than just the basics: they have lots of extra detail (in fact, they cover both private and commercial courses), they have lots of white space, and are on heavy paper. I will sit with you as I assign homework and point out what parts of the book must be read and what parts are optional extra reading if you are really interested. Even though they are more comprehensive and better written than other books, they’re still cheaper!

Getting a Cessna POH: We’ll fly the Cessna model 172R and/or 172N. To get a copy of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH), go to Textron Aviation’s Technical Publications site. Click “Order a Publication”, then “Register”. Then, after logging in, search for part number “172RIM” or “D1138-13”, which is the “172R (NAVII) Information Manual” or “172N (1979) Information Manual”. Last I looked, it cost $53 plus shipping.

Quick Guides

• The maneuvers guide I use is ASA’s blue maneuvers book: High-Wing Aircraft Visualized Flight Maneuvers Manual. ISBN 978-1-64425-223-9.
• The Cessna 172R/S and Cessna 172N/P and Cessna 172L/M Pilot’s Checklist I use during lessons. These files are designed to be used in a Marv Golden “Flight Crew Checklist Binder - Commercial” PEB1001 or a FlyBoys “Oversized Checklist Book” FB2205. Print the document on an inkjet printer (not laser printer), single sided, in color, with landscape orientation. Fold each page precisely in half and insert into a checklist page sleeve.
• A set of example Communication Radio “Scripts”, and a kneeboard-sized quick reference for Initial Calls.
• Traffic patterns for Austin Executive and Taylor airports overlaid on aerial photos.
• I have a guide to applying for a student pilot certificate through the FAA’s website.
• Info on applying for a medical certificate.
• A Maintenance Requirements summary.
• A VFR Cross-Country Planning summary, along with a VFR Flight Plan/Log form and an example VFR Flight Plan/Log.
• Summary advice on Critical Weather Situations and Emergencies.
• A large rundown of Radio Communication In Detail.
• My Student Procedures and Practices document, for your reference.
• My list of suggestions for Pilot Gear.

Instrument

For my students on their way to an Instrument rating.

Textbooks

Click the links to buy from Amazon.com or download PDFs:

1. The Pilot’s Manual: Instrument Flying. ISBN 978-1-64425-191-1.
2. Weather Flying. ISBN 978-0-07-179972-0.
3. A copy of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for each make and model of aircraft that you fly. For N413ES, get Cessna part 172RIM. See note above about getting a Cessna POH.
4. Pilot’s checklists for each make and model of aircraft you fly, including emergency checklists.
5. GPS Quick Reference Guide (a fold-out card or booklet) for each model of GPS that you fly with. For N413ES: Garmin GNS 430W Quick Reference.
6. Pilot’s Guides for each model of avionics that you fly with, including: GPS navigators, nav/ comm radios, transponders, audio panels, and autopilots. For N413ES: GMA 340 Pilot’s Guide; GNS 430W Pilot’s Guide; KX 155A and KT 76C Pilot’s Guide; KAP 140 Pilot’s Guide.
7. A copy of the current Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)–both ASA and Gleim publish a compilation of them.
8. FAA Handbook FAA-H-8083-28, Aviation Weather Handbook.
9. FAA Advisory Circular 91-74, Pilot Guide: Flight in Icing Conditions.

Quick Guides

• The Cessna 172R/S and Cessna 172N/P and Cessna 172L/M Pilot’s Checklist I use during lessons. These files are designed to be used in a Marv Golden “Flight Crew Checklist Binder - Commercial” PEB1001 or a FlyBoys “Oversized Checklist Book” FB2205. Print the document on an inkjet printer (not laser printer), single sided, in color, with landscape orientation. Fold each page precisely in half and insert into a checklist page sleeve.
• A large rundown of Radio Communication In Detail.
• My Student Procedures and Practices document, for your reference.
• My list of suggestions for Pilot Gear.

Commercial

For my students on their way to a Commercial Pilot license.

Textbooks

The selected ASA textbooks from your Private Pilot save you money by covering both private and commercial tasks and knowledge. So, #1 below is new and you may already have #2 and #3. Click the links to buy from Amazon.com or download PDFs:

1. Redefining Airmanship. ISBN 0-07-034284-9.
2. The Pilot’s Manual: Flight School. ISBN 978-1-64425-140-X.
3. The Pilot’s Manual: Ground School. ISBN 978-1-64425-203-1.
4. A copy of the Pilot’s Operating Handbook (POH) for each make and model of aircraft that you fly. For N413ES, get Cessna part 172RIM. See note above about getting a Cessna POH.
5. Pilot’s checklists for each make and model of aircraft you fly, including emergency checklists.
6. GPS Quick Reference Guide (a fold-out card or booklet) for each model of GPS that you fly with. For N413ES: Garmin GNS 430W Quick Reference.
7. Pilot’s Guides for each model of avionics that you fly with, including: GPS navigators, nav/ comm radios, transponders, audio panels, and autopilots. For N413ES: GMA 340 Audio Panel Pilot’s Guide; GNS 430W Pilot’s Guide; KX 155A and KT 76C Pilot’s Guide; KAP 140 Pilot’s Guide.
8. A copy of the current Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)–both ASA and Gleim publish a compilation of them. Be sure to get and read 14 CFR part 119 Certification: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators.