Here are the materials that you will need to prepare for your Private Pilot Knowledge Test. These should be part of your aviation library:
Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook
Aeronautical Information Manual
Airman Practical Test Standards
VFR Terminal Area Aeronautical Charts
Advisory Circulars
The FAA issues a series of Advisory Circulars (AC), which expand on various topics not otherwise handled by regulations. The two links relating to weather above are actually ACs. Here are a few more ACs that the student pilot should be aware of:
AC 61-84B - Role of Preflight Preparation
AC 90-48C - Pilots' Role in Collision Avoidance
Alerts all pilots to the potential hazards of midair collision and near midair collision, and to emphasize those basic problem areas related to the human causal factors where improvements in pilot education, operating practices, procedures, and improved scanning techniques are needed to reduce midair conflicts.
Calls attention to regulatory requirements and recommended procedures for aeronautical operations at airports without operating control towers. It recommends traffic patterns and operational procedures for aircraft, lighter than air, glider, parachute, rotorcraft, and ultra-light vehicle operations where such use is not in conflict with existing procedures in effect at those airports.
AC 90-42F - Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports without Operating Control Towers
Contains good operating practices and procedures for use when approaching or departing airports without an operating control tower and airports that have control towers operating part time. Includes changes in radio frequencies and phraseology.
This is a step by step guide to creating a navigation log.
Test Questions
Finally, you can test yourself with some sample test questions
Weather Information
In addition to DUATS and the Flight Service Station, (1 800 WX-BRIEF) another very useful source for weather is the NOAA Aviation Weather Center – Aviation Digital Data Service – ADDS
NOAA is the source for our weather data so I like to go straight to the source. They also have a product called a meteogram that is in development. It forecasts flying conditions at various sites. It’s particularly useful for locations like Ramona where, because of its microclimate created by the local mountains, predicting conditions from terminal forecasts (TAFs) is difficult.
Print this chart and keep this with you. This is a quick way to determine the effect of density altitude on your takeoff performance.