Flight Training & Ground School Materials

Whether you are starting ground school for your private pilot certificate or building toward an instrument, commercial, CFI, or remote pilot rating, Pilot Mall carries the study materials that take you through every FAA knowledge area. Stock your shelf with complete training kits, individual handbooks, FAA written test prep, and the regulations every pilot lives by, all from the publishers instructors trust most: ASA, Jeppesen, Gleim, and Rod Machado. No matter which course format you choose, the books and kits below are how you actually learn the material and pass the exam.

Browse by certification level to find exactly the materials your stage of training calls for:

Just getting started? Begin with private pilot training materials, the largest section of our library and the foundation for every rating that follows.
Adding an instrument rating? Move up to instrument rating materials and our IFR training products for hood time and approach practice.
Going professional? Study with commercial pilot materials and the CFI training materials for the instructor track.
Flying drones? Pass the Part 107 exam with remote pilot test prep.
Prepping for the checkride? Work through ACS, PTS, and oral exam guides before you sit with your examiner.
Need the rules? Keep the current federal aviation regulations within reach for every flight.

Ground school and flight training materials for every certificate

Ground school is the knowledge half of pilot training: aerodynamics, weather, navigation, regulations, airspace, and radio communications. You can learn it in a classroom, through an online self-paced course, or by self-study, but every path runs through the same core books and kits. Pilot Mall stocks the full study library so you can match your materials to your stage of training and the way you learn best, from a first-time student through advanced ratings. The titles below span the certification ladder, from complete private pilot kits to the FAA reference handbooks and test prep that carry you to the checkride.

Popular flight training materials at a glance

Product	Type	Best for
Gleim 2026 Deluxe Private Pilot Kit	Complete training kit	Self-study students who want everything in one Gleim package
ASA Complete Private Pilot Starter Kit Part 61	Complete training kit	Part 61 students starting from zero
Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual	Illustrated textbook	Visual learners who want a single deep reference
Rod Machado's Private Pilot/Commercial Handbook	Textbook	Students who learn best with humor and plain-English explanations
FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK)	FAA reference handbook	The foundational text behind every knowledge test
ASA 2026 FAR/AIM	Regulations reference	Every pilot and instructor, every rating
ASA Remote Pilot Test Prep	Test prep	Part 107 drone pilots preparing for the FAA exam
ASA Instrument Procedures Handbook	FAA reference handbook	Instrument students and IFR pilots refining procedures
Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot	Advanced reference	Commercial and professional pilots wanting one deep answer book

Click any product for current pricing.

Types of flight training materials

Complete training kits

Kits bundle a textbook or syllabus, FAR/AIM, a maneuvers or flight guide, a test prep resource, and often a logbook into one package keyed to a single certificate. The Gleim, ASA, and Jeppesen private pilot kits are the most popular starting point because they remove the guesswork of assembling materials piece by piece.

FAA reference handbooks

The FAA publishes the source material your knowledge test is written from, including the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), the Airplane Flying Handbook, and the Instrument Procedures Handbook. These are the documents instructors and examiners cite, so they belong on every pilot's shelf alongside any course you take.

Written test prep

Test prep books and software organize the FAA question bank by subject, explain the correct answers, and let you take practice exams until you are consistently scoring well. They are how most students close the gap between reading the handbooks and earning the endorsement to sit the actual knowledge test.

Regulations, ACS, and oral exam guides

The current FAR/AIM is the rulebook you study and fly by, and the ACS, PTS, and oral exam guides tell you exactly what your examiner can ask. Working through both before the checkride is the surest way to walk in confident.

Brands we carry

Pilot Mall stocks the publishers flight schools and instructors rely on, including ASA, Jeppesen Sanderson, Gleim, and Rod Machado, along with the official FAA handbooks. Each brand has its own teaching style, so many students settle on one publisher's ecosystem and stay with it as they add ratings.

How to choose the right flight training materials

Start with your certificate or rating. New students should begin in private pilot training materials, then move up to instrument, commercial, or CFI materials as you progress, while drone operators study remote pilot test prep for Part 107. Next, decide how you like to learn: a complete kit if you want everything in one box, a single illustrated textbook such as the Jeppesen manual if you prefer a deep reference, or Rod Machado if plain-English explanations keep you engaged. Whatever you choose, add the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and a current FAR/AIM, because both follow you through every rating. As your checkride nears, layer in test prep plus the ACS and oral exam guides so the written and the practical are both covered.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

The full certification ladder: materials organized by certificate and rating, from first solo to ATP-level study.
Trusted publishers: ASA, Jeppesen, Gleim, Rod Machado, and the official FAA handbooks, all in one place.
Aviation only: we sell pilot gear and nothing else, so our team knows which materials match your stage of training.
Trusted for 25-plus years: thousands of students and instructors rely on Pilot Mall for their study library.
Free U.S. shipping over $100: stock up on kits and handbooks and qualify with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ground school for pilots?

Ground school is the knowledge portion of pilot training, separate from time in the airplane. It covers aerodynamics, weather, navigation, federal aviation regulations, airspace, aircraft systems, and radio communications. You can complete it in a classroom, through an online self-paced course, or by self-study, and it prepares you for the FAA knowledge test and oral exam.

Is ground school required for a private pilot license?

Formal ground school is not a standalone legal requirement, but the underlying knowledge is. Before you can take the FAA written test for a private pilot certificate you must receive ground training and an endorsement from an authorized instructor. Ground school, in any format, is simply the most reliable way to gain that knowledge and earn the endorsement.

How long does ground school take?

It depends on the format. An intensive in-person course often runs about two to six weeks, while online self-paced programs typically take two to three months as students fit study around work. Self-study timelines vary widely. Under Part 141, an approved private pilot ground curriculum requires a minimum of 35 hours of instruction.

Can you do ground school online?

Yes. Online self-paced ground school is one of the most popular options because you can study on your own schedule, and many programs include an endorsement to take the FAA knowledge test once you finish. Whichever format you choose, you will still want the FAA handbooks, a current FAR/AIM, and a test prep resource to study alongside the course.

What books do I need for ground school?

Most students build their library around a core textbook or complete kit from ASA, Gleim, Jeppesen, or Rod Machado, plus the FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, a current FAR/AIM, and a written test prep book. As the checkride nears, add the appropriate ACS and an oral exam guide to prepare for the practical test.

What is the difference between Part 61 and Part 141 ground training?

Both lead to the same certificate. Part 141 uses an FAA-approved, structured syllabus with set minimum ground training hours and is common at dedicated flight academies. Part 61 is more flexible, letting an instructor tailor training to the student and often suiting part-time or self-paced learners. The study materials you need are essentially the same under either path.