Books and publications

During your PPL learning process, you'll need to study and use official FAA publications. Government books are free to download, but you might want to buy a printed version so you can make notes and highlight. Plus, during your checkride, you can only use official FAA publications.

Aeronautical Information Manual - AIM
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim_html/

Aviation Laws

We (as pilots) are mostly interested in title 14 part 61 and part 91.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14

FAR/AIM printed by a commercial vendor for sale(important to buy last(2026) edition).
https://www.sportys.com/far-aim-2026-asa.html?creative=%7BAdId%7D&device=c&gad_campaignid=629262433&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD_hIeeLRiOy_3dkmqI_UYOWoVp7u&matchtype=p

Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge - PHAK(Free):

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/phak

Airplane Flying Handbook
https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook

PHAK and AFH for sale:
https://www.sportys.com/sporty-s-airplane-flying-handbook-and-pilot-s-handbook-of-aeronautical-knowledge-combo-softcover-a.html

Private Pilot Oral Exam Guide.
https://asa2fly.com/private-pilot-oral-exam-guide-fourteenth-edition-ebook-pd/

I personally like the Jeppesen “Guided flight discovery. Private pilot manual”. It contains the same information just in more human-like language.

Some books you can also download for free

For you oral and written exam I recommend “The Finer Points” ground school https://www.learnthefinerpoints.com/ground-school/r/H9CHT9

This is an incomplete list