Getting Started in Aviation: A Weblinks Guide for Curious Beginners

Aviation can feel intimidating from the outside — full of complex terms, thick manuals, and technical details. But you don’t need a pilot’s license or an engineering degree to start exploring the world of flight. This beginner’s aviation starter pack gathers completely free, open-access resources that introduce you to how airplanes fly, what pilots study, how weather shapes aviation, and even how to try your hand at flying in a simulator. Whether you’re a curious student, a hobbyist, or just someone who’s always looked up when a plane passes overhead, these links will help you take your first steps into the skies without feeling overwhelmed.

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1. The Basics of Flight

• NASA Beginner’s Guide to Aeronautics – simple explanations of lift, drag, thrust, flight controls:

  
  

  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/

• Khan Academy – Intro to Flight Physics (short videos):

  
  

  https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics/centripetal-force-and-gravitation

2. Pilot Basics and Flying

• FAA Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK) – beginner textbook on flight, navigation, weather, and safety (skip advanced chapters at first):

  
  

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

• FAA Airplane Flying Handbook – step-by-step flying basics with clear illustrations:

  
  

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

• Skybrary – short wiki-style articles about common pilot terms, safety, and flying:

  
  

  https://www.skybrary.aero/ 

3. Weather and Navigation (Simple)

• NOAA Aviation Weather Center – real-time weather maps for pilots:

  
  

  https://aviationweather.gov/ 

• SkyVector – interactive world aeronautical maps (fun for exploring flight routes):

  
  

  https://skyvector.com/ 

4. Aircraft Maintenance (Intro Level)

• FAA AMT General Handbook – light intro to aircraft systems, tools, and safety practices (browse basics only):

  
  

  https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/amt_handbook

5. Simulators and Interactive Tools

• GeoFS (browser flight simulator) – free, nothing to install:

  
  

  https://www.geo-fs.com/ 

• NASA FoilSim – simple airfoil simulator to play with lift and drag:

  
  

  https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/foil3.html

• FlightGear (open-source flight sim, more advanced but free):

  
  

  https://www.flightgear.org/ 

6. Videos and Easy Learning

• Mentour Pilot (YouTube) – airline captain explains real flying simply:

  
  

  https://www.youtube.com/c/MentourPilot

• Captain Joe (YouTube) – beginner-friendly systems explained:

  
  

  https://www.youtube.com/c/CaptainJoe

• NASA eClips (YouTube) – short STEM and aviation concepts:

  
  

  https://www.youtube.com/c/nasaeclips

7. Communities and Exploration

• Reddit r/aviation – casual place to see photos, news, questions:

  
  

  https://www.reddit.com/r/aviation/

• Aviation StackExchange – ask technical questions and read simple Q&A:

  
  

  https://aviation.stackexchange.com/