If I had to point to a single FAA resource that best aligns with the “Know Your Aircraft” theme of this issue of FAA Safety Briefing magazine, it would have to be the agency’s 2016 edition of FAA-H-8083-25B Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK). As with any of the FAA’s “H” series publications, you can download this one at no cost from the FAA’s webpage (see URL below).

To make it easier for you to match some of the content in this issue of the magazine to relevant parts of the PHAK, this column offers a guided tour of the matching chapters.

 Avionics

PHAK Chapter 8, Flight Instruments 

The “No Surprises” article in this issue focuses on glass avionics and automation, but there are still plenty of airplanes around with the previously standard six-pack. If you fly such an airplane, you will find that this chapter starts with a comprehensive general review of principles of operation and function of the pitot-static instruments. For both actual and aspiring eAirplane (aka glass cockpit) pilots, the Electronic Flight Display presentation that follows offers a similar description of how the function of legacy pitot-static instruments is translated in common glass cockpit displays.

Next up is a discussion of gyroscopic flight instruments such as the turn coordinator and attitude indica- tor. For those with glass cockpits, the following discussion on the Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) and, again, description of how electronic flight instruments display gyro instrument functions, is well worth reviewing.

Next is a discussion and helpful review of angle of attack (AOA) indi- cators, whose presence and use in GA aircraft is expanding at a rapid rate.

Powerplants

PHAK Chapter 7, Aircraft Systems 

This chapter of the PHAK offers a handy review of how reciprocating engines function, along with discussion of everything from propellers (fixed pitch, constant speed, overspeed), to the range of systems a good pilot ought to know about: induction (carburetor, fuel injection, turbochargers), oil, fuel, ignition, engine cooling, exhaust, and increasingly common full authority digital engine control (FADEC) systems.

For those who operate, or aspire to operate, turbine-powered aircraft, this chapter provides basic information on types of turbine engines and considerations for flying them properly (e.g., engine pressure ratio, exhaust gas temperature, etc.).

Given that this issue appears during the winter flying season, you might also find it helpful to review PHAK Chapter 7 information about anti-icing and de-icing systems. It bears repeating that for GA aircraft, even systems certified for flight into known icing conditions (FIKI) are intended to provide time for escaping such weather rather than for extended flight.

Fuselage, Empennage, Wings, Gear

PHAK Chapter 3 – Aircraft Construction (PDF download) and PHAK Chapter 7, Aircraft Systems

PHAK Chapters 3 and 7 look at aircraft construction and how the landing gear operates. Chapter 3 reviews the basics of aircraft design, certification, and airworthiness, along with a description of the major aircraft components also discussed in some of this issue’s feature articles.

Of particular interest to those flying newer aircraft models is the information on composite aircraft construction. Important safety considerations in this area include issues such as fluid spills on composites and lightning strike protection.

There is, of course, much more in the PHAK. If you can’t be in your airplane as much during these winter months, this kind of review is a great way to be sure you’re ready for spring. (FAA Safety Briefing – JanFeb 2020)