From the Ground Up (book)

From the Ground Up (FTGU) is a pilot's training book, and it covers almost every aspect of flying. The book is updated every three years.^[1][2]

Chapters of the FTGU

The current edition of the FTGU features the following chapters:

• Chapter 1, The Airplane: This chapter gives a brief hi-level introduction to what an airplane and aircraft are, along with their various components and categories
• Chapter 2, Theory of Flight: Explanations of how airplanes fly are discussed in this chapter.
• Chapter 3, Aero Engine: A high level overview of various types and models of aircraft engines are discussed.
• Chapter 4, Aerodromes and Airspace: An overview of airports and airstrips along with descriptions of both Canadian and American airspace systems.
• Chapter 5, Air Rules and Procedures: Covers some of the more common and critical "rules of the road" when it comes to flying.
• Chapter 6, Aviation Weather: Discusses various aspects of weather including cloud, precipitation, winds, and other natural phenomena.
• Chapter 7, Air Navigation: Introduces various form of navigation from dead reckoning to map reading to radio and GPS navigation.
• Chapter 8, Radio: Focuses on how radios work and procedures for radio communications in the air.
• Chapter 9, Radio Navigation: Focuses on radio navigation including the use of VORs, ADFs, and DMEs.
• Chapter 10, Airmanship: Discusses various topics of airmanship from proper aircraft handling and care, to flight planning and emergency procedures.
• Chapter 11, Human Factors: Overview of various human factors from illnesses and conditions to effects on the body from flying.
• Chapter 12, Air Safety: Last minute checklist on safety on the ground and in the air.

Flying Beyond

In 2011, an updated "commercial" version of the popular From The Ground Up text was published by author Chris Hobbs called Flying Beyond: The Canadian Commercial Pilot Textbook. The text is designed to meet and exceed the level of knowledge required by Transport Canada for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).^[3]

Other Reference Manuals

Along with the From The Ground Up, several other manuals provide extra information to pilots and other people with an interest in aviation. These include:

• Aircraft Systems for Pilots by Dale De Remer,^[4] which provides an in depth look into how various components of an aircraft function, a good read especially for aircraft owners as this text discusses many aspects that are not covered in typical ground school and flying classes.
• Flight Training Manual published by Transport Canada.^[5] This text is usually accompanied with the From The Ground Up in flight training and focuses more on how to perform various flight manoeuvres such as take offs and landings, whereas the FTGU provides more of the theoretical knowledge required to fly.
• Aeronautical Information Manual, (AIM) formerly called the Aeronautical Information Package (AIP), published by Transport Canada.^[6] It contains a wealth of up to date information on various subjects from definitions, rules of the air, communications, meteorology, search and rescue (SAR), licensing, and airmanship.
• CARs for Private Pilots, published by VIP Pilot Center, is a collection of the most common Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) that must be known and adhered to, by new private pilots in Canada.
• Aviation Safety Letter, published quarterly by Transport Canada.^[7] Discusses various topics at hand at time of publication including recently released Transportation Safety Board (TSB) accident and incident reports.

References

1. Macdonald, Sandy A. F.; Peppler, William N (2010). From the Ground Up (28 ed.). Ottawa, ON, Canada: Aviation Publishers Co. Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9730036-3-5.
2. Macdonald, Sandy A. F.; Peppler, Isabel L (2002). From the Ground Up (US ed.). Newcastle, WA, USA: Aviation Supplies & Academics. ISBN 978-1-56027-452-0.
3. Hobbs, Christopher W. (2011). Flying Beyond, The Canadian Commercial Pilot. Ottawa, ON, Canada: Aviation Publishers Co. Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9730036-7-3.
4. De Remer, Dale. Aircraft Systems for Pilots. ISBN 978-0884872146.
5. Transport Canada (2004). Flight Training Manual (4 ed.). ISBN 0-660-19351-5.
6. Transport Canada. Aeronautical Information Manual.
7. Transport Canada. "TP 185 - Aviation Safety Letter".