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Book Of The Month:
I advise all pilots to continually take one step every day towards their career and their life. It is important to take one step every day towards becoming a softer pilot especially during the first 500 hours to instill proper safety habits. “The Killing Zone : How And Why Pilots Die” is a data driven resource woven with great advice towards making you a safer pilot especially during the first 50 to 350 hours when you are no longer with your instructor.
Recommended Reading:
1. Aerospace Scholarships Guide
If you are looking to fund your education, flight training, or degree, look at this definitive guide and the upcoming new version, which will include a listing of cadet programs.
https://valeri-aviation.thinkific.com/courses/aerospace-scholarships-guide
2. Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot 13th Edition 13th Edition
An amazing resource for explanations of simple to complex topics. A great resource when preparing for an interview and transitioning to flying advanced aircraft.
https://amzn.to/48b4hrf
3. The Turbine Pilot’s Flight Manual 3rd Edition
A must-have For those pilots beginning training at the airlines or simply wanting to expand their knowledge.
https://amzn.to/3v9vFrc
4. The Unofficial Airbus A320 Series Manual
Ok, I am biased since I am an A320 instructor but this is truly a great guide for those wanting to train or about to train on one of the most popular airplanes in the world.
https://amzn.to/3tAemyX
5. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C: Pilot Flight Training Study Guide
The FAA reference you will use for your entire aviation career from flying small planes to transitioning to multi-engine jets.
https://amzn.to/4lHSTJX
6. Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Many technical interview questions are derived from the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and you will use this knowledge throughout your entire career flying.
https://amzn.to/48yOP7Z
7. Instrument Procedures Handbook
Your knowledge of instrument procedures is paramount when you are a professional pilot. This book is filled with potential interview questions and will be a great resource throughout your career.
https://amzn.to/3tnECwx
8. FAR-FC 2026Federal Aviation Regulations for Flight Crew
The definitive reference for professional pilots flying for 121 and 135 operators.
https://amzn.to/3GSftAV
9. FAR/AIM 2026: Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual
For the remainder of your career, you will tested on your knowledge of the FARs and the information provided in the Aeronautical Information Manual. This is a manual you will want to highlight and tab pertinent pages.
10. Mental Math for Pilots: A Study Guide
Not just a study guide but a great resource for daily flying as a line pilot.
https://amzn.to/3IT3aVr
11. Aviation Weather Handbook
A great reference and a must for preparing for your next interview.
12. INTRODUCTION TO JEPPESEN NAVIGATION CHARTS
https://ww2.jeppesen.com/navigation-solutions/charts-and-airway-manual/
Airplane Ownership and General Flying Advice:
If you are considering buying a plane to build your flight hours I suggest you purchase this book first. Mike Busch’s Books on Airplane ownership are an amazing resource. He discusses all aspects of airplane maintenance including purchasing and selling your plane. If you can read this exhaustive resource which eloquently describes the benefits and challenges of ownership, you have taken a big step towards becoming a well informed buyer.
Career And Self Improvement
We are increasingly inundated with information from news, the internet, family, e-mail, work, and more. This book helps you prevent the little things from taking over your life. After implementing the tools in this book you will live a happier and more productive life by not sweating the small stuff….and it is all small stuff.
As chief instructor for flight schools throughout the country I wish I had this book before starting our marking campaign. This handbook will help you navigate the sometimes mysterious journey to understanding online marketing and make your flight school a success. I recommend this book for schools of all sizes.
How many times has ego prevented you from moving forward in your career? Ego Is The Enemy will give you tools to recognize and combat the negative effects ego can have on your life and career.
Who Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life
This book is my favorite recommendation for all who wish to grow their flight instruction business.
Thinking of Changing Careers? This book is for you.
This is the book I read when I began searching for a new career. It has been available for many years and is one of the best resources for discovering the career path you should choose. Not only does it help you discover what direction to take it helps you along the path towards finding a job.
If you are preparing for an airline pilot interview this guide is concise but comprehensive. A good interview guide for all pilot interviews.
The best overall guide on becoming a professional pilot. This is one of the books that inspired me to become an airline pilot. I recommend it because of the no nonsense practical advice given by Rob Mark.
Recommended For Flight Attendants
Betty takes us along on her travels as a flight attendant and relates some very unique stories. Want to know what it’s really like to be a flight attendant then listen to her podcast or read her book by the same name.
An inside look at the life of a flight attendant.
Wealthy Pilot Series:
Airlines pilots make more money than most, so why are many broke or living pay check to pay check? Millionaire Mission helps people build wealth during every phase of their career from beginning flight instructor to senior wide body captain.
This is the definitive guide to understanding the traits of the wealthy. At the end of 2025 we saw many airline pilots sharing their pay stubs online. In this book you will learn why this is not a trait of the wealthy and learn what you should do to become a prodigious accumulator of wealth. By becoming an airline pilot you have are at both an advantage to building wealth but also are at a disadvantage due to certain traits of pilots. Find out more in this book and learn how to develop positive traits and make yourself a wealthy pilot.
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