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Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge

FAA-H-8083-25C Version October 20, 2025
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Chapter 1

Introduction To Flying

  • Respond to a request from some government entity, such as General Accounting Office, NTSB, or the Office of the Inspector General
  • Help the industry and FAA effectively implement a regulation
  • Explain requirements and limits of an FAA grant program
  • Expand on standards needed to promote aviation safety, including the safe operation of airports

There are three parts to an AC number, as in 25-42C. The first part of the number identifies the subject matter area of the AC and corresponds to the appropriate 14 CFR part. For example, an AC on “Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors” is numbered as AC 61-65E. Since ACs are numbered sequentially within each subject area, the second part of the number beginning with the dash identifies this sequence. The third part of the number is a letter assigned by the originating office and shows the revision sequence if an AC is revised. The first version of an AC does not have a revision letter. In Figure 1-17, this is the fifth revision, as designated by the “E.”

Example of an Advisory Circular in its fifth revision.
Figure 1-17. Example of an Advisory Circular in its fifth revision.

Flight Publications

The FAA, in concert with other government agencies, orchestrates the publication and changes to publications that are key to safe flight. Figure 1-18 illustrates some publications a pilot may use.

From left to right, a sectional VFR chart, IFR chart, and chart supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory) with a sample of a page from the supplement.
Figure 1-18. From left to right, a sectional VFR chart, IFR chart, and chart supplement U.S. (formerly Airport/Facility Directory) with a sample of a page from the supplement.

Pilot and Aeronautical Information

Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)

Notices to Airmen, or NOTAMs, are time-critical aeronautical information either temporary in nature or not sufficiently known in advance to permit publication on aeronautical charts or in other operational publications. The information receives immediate dissemination via the National Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) System. NOTAMs contain current notices to airmen that are considered essential to the safety of flight, as well as supplemental data affecting other operational publications. There are many different reasons that NOTAMs are issued. Following are some of those reasons:

  • Hazards, such as air shows, parachute jumps, kite flying, and rocket launches
  • Flights by important people such as heads of state
  • Closed runways
  • Inoperable radio navigational aids
  • Military exercises with resulting airspace restrictions
  • Inoperable lights on tall obstructions
  • Temporary erection of obstacles near airfields
  • Passage of flocks of birds through airspace (a NOTAM in this category is known as a BIRDTAM)