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Freebies and downloads

Flying is not exactly a cheap activity – so here are some free resources, from me an others, which I personally use.

ICAO Flightplan in Microsoft Excel format

I created this ICAO flight plan form to facilitate my flight planning, and to avoid problems with my rather cryptic handwriting when I fax flight plans to AIM services. I used it in Switzerland, France, and UK, and never had any negative remark. If you use it somewhere else, I’d appreciate some feedback.

Click here to download my free Excel ICAO flight plan form.

Depending your excel version and printer, you might have to adjust the size of some cells, or use the “zoom to fit” function to make sure it prints on a single page.

JAA compliant logbook in Microsoft Excel format

As all pilots, I keep track of my flying activities in a paper logbook. SEP, MEP, single pilot, multi pilot, night, IFR, PIC, Dual, number of days and night landings, and so on. Filling my logbook, and doing the intermediate totals at the end of each page is not the funniest part of aviation.

To eased it a bit, I developped this Microsoft Excel Logbook. To add a new flight, simply fill-up the line on top, and click the left top button. The macro will automatically add a new line at the bottom. All time columns in which you put an “X” will contain the difference between departure and arrival time. Put something else in a column, and it will be copied as is. This is for flights partially at night, or partially IFR. If this sounds too complicated, you can simply add each flight manually, and use the totalizers.

Click here to download my free Excel JAA logbook.

Pilot briefing made easy and free

I always missed a website offering NOTAMs, METARs, TAFs, and weather charts for free, without login, or other complications. So I made one myself. You can visit it under www.easymetar.com. It also contains links to other flight planning resources, including online AIPs for the countries where they exist.

Free JAA ATPL questions database

If you’re an ATPL student in Europe, you know first hand how painful the theoretical exams are. A non-negligible part of the information you have to memorize is not exactly useful in flight. When getting through that process for my IFR rating, I lost a couple of point in the navigation exam, because I did not knew how many atomic-clock are on-board each GPS sattelite.

Nowadays, many services offer online question databases for practice, which are all more or less “inspired” from the exam questions. Most of them require registration and / or a fee. However, I recently stumbled upon an online list of questions, with their answers.

I browsed it, and on the base of my own experience, In can confirm that these questions are extremely similar to the ones you’ll find in the exams. The only missing thing is the list of possible answers, only the correct one is provided.

Click here to visit the free ATPL questions database.

Learn to fly e-book from Max Trescott

Max is a well known US instructor, aviation advocate and the 2008 National Certificated Flight Instructor of the Year. Quoting him: “As pilots know, learning to fly is non-trivial. Many express the desire to learn to fly, yet few actually accomplish the goal. One reason is that it’s not easy for a neophyte to figure out what to do to earn a pilot certificate. To help with the problem, I’ve created a free new Learn to Fly ebook.

Click here to read the full post on Max’s blog.

Radio-navigation trainer

Click here to visit Tim’s Radio Navigation trainer. This Java applet is one of the best tools I know for VOR and ADF training. It can simulate all possible instruments (VOR, HSI, RMI, RBI). You can move the plane or the stations around, fly the plane and observe how the instruments react. Its random positioning feature is great to practice orientation from an unknown position.

Do you have more ?

If you know some other freebies for pilots that you want to share, please contact me, I’ll be happy to list them here.

By the way…

The Archives of this blog are full of contents that you can read for free.

If you’re lookin for reference documents, you landed at the correct place. You’ll find here information about aircraft accidents, but also training and safety related documents. You can also download user manuals for various avionics equipment.

Feel free to contact me if you have other documents that should be added here.

Accidents - BA038

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: First AAIB info (356.75KB) clicks: 334
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 334
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Second AAIB Info (308.92KB) clicks: 249
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 249
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Third AAIB Info (254.61KB) clicks: 249
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 249
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Fourth AAIB info (988.63KB) clicks: 284
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 284
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: BA038 - NTSB recommendations to FAA (413.56KB) clicks: 212
added: 11/03/2009
clicks: 212
Recommendations from the NTSB to the FAA following the crash-landing and loss of power of the BA038 777 in Heathrow.

Accidents - Concorde

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Preliminary information (3.71MB) clicks: 339
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 339
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: First intermediary information (748.76KB) clicks: 209
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 209
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Final report (15.99MB) clicks: 297
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 297
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Second intermediary information (6.41MB) clicks: 239
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 239

Accidents - Various

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: AirFrance Airbus A340 Crash Landing in Toronto (4.56MB) clicks: 308
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 308
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Airbus 300 lands after being hit by a missile in Baghdad (3.68MB) clicks: 269
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 269
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Boeing 747 landing short in fog in Frankfurt (3.23MB) clicks: 299
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 299
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Swissair 111 MD-11 crash in Peggy's Cove (31.62MB) clicks: 303
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 303
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Uberlingen Mid-Air collision (3.99MB) clicks: 303
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 303
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Cockpit Voice Recorder transcript of Colgan 3407 (220.83KB) clicks: 570
added: 12/05/2009
clicks: 570
Transcription of pilots discussions recorded by the CVR on Colgan (Continental) 3407 which crashed near Buffalo
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Spanair accident in Madrid - Interim report (4.92MB) clicks: 84
added: 08/09/2009
clicks: 84

Legal

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: JAR Flight Crew Licensing (JAR-FCL1) (3.35MB) clicks: 397
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 397

G1000

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: G1000 Instructor's reference (Non-airframe specific) (1.64MB) clicks: 821
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 821
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: G1000 Trainer User's guide (Non-airframe specific) (788.38KB) clicks: 406
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 406

DA-40

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: DA-40 AFM Supplement for G1000 - IFR (561.88KB) clicks: 290
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 290
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: DA-40 AFM Supplement for G1000 - VFR (524.78KB) clicks: 267
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 267
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: DA-40 AFM Supplement for KAP 140 Autopilot (728.75KB) clicks: 644
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 644
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: DA-40 AFM (Aircraft Flight Manual) (3.37MB) clicks: 353
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 353
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: DA-40 TDI G1000 Checklists (241.95KB) clicks: 253
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 253
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: G1000 DA40D Cockpit Reference (2.78MB) clicks: 272
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 272
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: G1000 DA40 Cockpit Reference (4.33MB) clicks: 270
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 270
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: G1000 DA40 pilot's guide (15.25MB) clicks: 314
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 314

Avionics

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: KAP 140 Autpilot - Pilot's user manual (6.79MB) clicks: 476
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 476
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: KFC 150 Autpilot - Pilot's user manual (21.72MB) clicks: 324
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 324
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Garmin GPS 96C Owner's manual (8.66MB) clicks: 280
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 280

Safety

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Go-Arounds (Flight Safety Australia) (569.99KB) clicks: 398
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 398
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Recommendation on rocket activated parachutes (NTSB) (449.24KB) clicks: 304
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 304
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Spin Stall Parachute Recovery Systems (1.69MB) clicks: 288
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 288

Procedures

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Continuous descent approaches for non-aviation audience (CAA) (523.84KB) clicks: 373
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 373
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Continuous descent approaches (Eurocontrol) (1.30MB) clicks: 1726
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 1726

FAA Aircraft Flying Handbook

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Chapters 1-3 (2.73MB) clicks: 365
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 365
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Chapters 4-6 (2.85MB) clicks: 305
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clicks: 305
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Chapters 7-9 (2.82MB) clicks: 254
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clicks: 254
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Chapters 10-12 (2.47MB) clicks: 312
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http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Chapters 13-15 (2.67MB) clicks: 328
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http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Chapter 16 (1.23MB) clicks: 293
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 293
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Cover page (449.37KB) clicks: 316
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 316

JAA IFR Learning Objectives

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 010 - Air Law (116.87KB) clicks: 410
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 410
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 021 - Aircrafts Systems - Powerplants (44.19KB) clicks: 384
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 384
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 022 - Instruments (46.78KB) clicks: 482
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 482
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 033 - Flight Planning & Monitoring (52.38KB) clicks: 415
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 415
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 040 - Human performances & limitations (46.10KB) clicks: 332
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 332
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 050 - Meteorology (101.07KB) clicks: 360
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 360
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 061 - General navigation (8.92KB) clicks: 313
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 313
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 062 - Radio-navigation (90.98KB) clicks: 348
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 348
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 070 - Operational procedures (13.10KB) clicks: 437
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 437
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: 090 - Communications (21.60KB) clicks: 359
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 359

Technics

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Maintenance guide for Engineers (CASA) (4.55MB) clicks: 309
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 309
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Digital Flight Data Recorders (French BEA) (960.86KB) clicks: 1422
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 1422
http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: MEMS gyros (310.55KB) clicks: 274
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 274

Training

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: FAA Student Pilots Guide (244.11KB) clicks: 410
added: 14/11/2008
clicks: 410

Garmin Simulators

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/setup.gif download: Garmin GNS 430 - 530 Simulator (181.72MB) clicks: 679
added: 16/11/2008
clicks: 679

Misc

http://www.plasticpilot.net/blog/wp-content/plugins/downloads-manager/img/icons/pdf.gif download: Learn to fly e-book (1.94MB) clicks: 446
added: 30/12/2008
clicks: 446
A free e-book from instructor Max Trescott. It adresses many question that pilots to be have, from "is it possible" to "where is the best place", and much more.

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    Flying Across America

     


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