Below are all the resources mentioned in the book broken down by chapter.
Tip #4
Tip #6
NTSB accident website. Read all the latest reports and find ones with your type of aircraft.
AOPA’s Free Safety Briefs: these are a great resource to keep you focused on safety
Aviation Safety Magazine: this is also a fantastic print magazine. I read it cover to cover every time it shows up in my mailbox. It costs some money, but it’s worth it!
FAA Safety Brief: this is also a fantastic resource much like the AOPA safety brief
Tip #7
Spot Tracker: this could save your life! It also has more applications than just flying. You could also get a Personal Locator Beacon, but I prefer to have a website track my flight path.
REI article on Personal Locator Beacons: if you aren’t sure you want a Spot Tracker, you can read this article to figure out a good alternative. The important thing is to have something search and rescue professionals can use to find you fast.
How to Pick Up VFR Flight Following: this article spells out exactly how you can pick up VFR flight following. If you are unsure and a little nervous talking to ATC, this article will help.
Tip #8
Quizlet App-I use this app all the time to study. You can make your own cards or use someone else’s. Plus you can take it anywhere and study on the go with your smartphone.
ATC Feeds-listen to real air traffic control radio communications. Radio calls are one of the hardest things to master in aviation. This website will help!
Tip #12
Tips to Avoid Distracted Flying: while I don’t mention this article in the book, I do talk about putting the phone away on your walk around. This article expands on this concept.
Tip #13
Below are links to equipment I believe you should strongly consider carrying with you in your flight bag at all times.
This is a MINIMUM equipment list.
The things on this list are geared to address the most important things in an emergency situation: regain communications, get located quickly, stop bleeding and a water supply.
- Tourniquet
- Knife: one-handed from Benchmade (my favorite knife company)
- Life Straw filter water bottle
- Life Straw (personal filtration straw, much smaller than a water bottle but requires a stream)
- Seat Belt strap cutter
- Spot Tracker or you could try a Personal Locator Beacon from ACR
- Emergency Radio: this is one suggestion with excellent reviews, you can also do your own research
- Flashlight: I do not offer one suggestion on a flashlight because it’s such a personal decision. However, you should actually have several: a headlamp which you can keep around your neck (don’t get one with a top head strap), a high powered light for pre-flighting, a smaller one which will fit in a pocket in the cockpit.**
Note: many of these are affiliate links which don’t affect you at all, (you still pay the same), but I get a little kickback which I roll right back into this website. It’s an easy way for you to help support Think Aviation.
Tip #14
Here is one suggestion for an Emergency Radio. It gets great reviews on Amazon.
But, if you want to do your own research go to Sporty’s where you can find a complete list.
Tip #15
Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson. I also recommend listening to his podcast, The Model Health Show.
It Starts with Food and also Food Freedom Forever by Melissa Hartwig: I love these two books, you can also check out their website at Whole30.com
Fitness Confidential by Vinnie Totorich. He not only wrote a book, but he has a podcast as well. If you can’t stand politically correct rhetoric, this book is for you!
Tip #17
This is the form I use every time I fly for the National Guard. Each Army unit has some variation to this. While not all of it applies to you (ie NVGs), there are some key points you should consider for yourself:
- Total time and total time in the “MDS” or mission design and series aircraft
- Effect of duty day
- The weather
- The crew mix
- Recency of flight experience
Tip #18
Tip #19
Airman Certification Standards
That’s it for the resources. But before you go, I have another free resource for you. I put together a complete guide to decoding NOTAMs. You can pick up your copy below.
Thanks for reading!