The Student Pilot's Flight Manual

From First Flight to Pilot Certificate

This is a ground school textbook, maneuvers manual, and syllabus all rolled into one, providing a step-by-step comprehensive course for student pilots working towards a Private or Sport Pilot certificate. This authoritative volume from the legendary flight instructor, William K. Kershner, edited by William C. Kershner, presents a wealth of practical information while encouraging student pilot decision making. The fundamentals of flying are clearly described in a methodical yet informal manner that a student can easily absorb. Includes detailed references to maneuvers and procedures, and is fully illustrated with the author’s own drawings.

This manual covers all you need to know for your first flight, presolo, the post-solo maneuvers, cross-country and night flying. First published in 1960 and updated continuously since then, this 11th Edition ensures you will be prepared for the classroom, tarmac, and the cockpit.

It is a gathering of material used in preflight and postflight briefings and in-flight instruction provided by one of the greatest flight instructors of our time. It also includes a synopsis of what to expect for your FAA Knowledge Exam and checkride. This book is not intended to only help you “get past” the exam and checkride — it also has the essential information for use in the day-today process of flying airplanes.

With over six decades of experience as pilot-in-command in more than 100 types and models of airplanes, Bill Kershner was FAA/ General Aviation Flight Instructor of the Year in 1992, and named Elder Statesman of Aviation in 1997. He was inducted into the Flight Instructor Hall of Fame in 1998. His son, William C. Kershner, was soloed by his father, and holds Flight Instructor and Airline Transport Pilot certificates. He has flown 22 types of airplanes in his over 15,000 hours of flight time, ranging from Cessna 150s to Boeing 777s.