a lot of schools seem to have this book around. it's concise and well organized. doesnt cover enough on panel instruments for my taste, but is really a valuable book to refer to for most other things.

In this day and age, rehashed graphics from the 1950's FAA publications are not acceptable. While overall content is average, it doesn't compare to up to date publications like Jeppesen's Private Pilot Handbook.

This book is essentially a rip-off of the original FAA book of the same name, with the author playing a very clever game of stating that they were 'asked' to re-edit it in the past and now have decided to go one further and improve on the original. (With permission from the FAA?)

As a trained pilot and instructor, I can safely say that outside of the rehashed data from the FAA books (and using their graphics also.), the padding that constitutes the 'evolution' of the book, is purely that. Padding without substance. Zero knowledge of the industry in its current form.
Go to the FAA website and download the original for free. Or if you have a budget, head to the Jeppesen and get their Private Pilot's Handbook.

A couple of months ago, I decided that I wanted to learn to fly. Flying was something I have dreamed of doing since I was a little kid and I decided that now was the time. Before approaching a flight instructor I wanted to know a little bit more about flying. I looked at a number of books geared towards student pilots but was disappointed. Most books for students were either too simple (not enough info) or too much like a study guide (which I already had). What I wanted was something that introduced me to all aspects of aviation, not just the stick and rudder stuff. The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge is just such a book. Flying is not just about aerodynamics. There is a significant amount of information that must be absorbed before ever getting into the left seat. Airspace regulations, airport procedures, communications, navigation, and flight planning, to name just a few, are all part of flying. Paul Illman not only covers each of these in depth but he does so in a way to show you how each are related to the other. Since meteorology is also integral to flying, any good pilot would also have to be a good weatherman. Illman covers this subject very well. I haven't looked at weather the same way since. (I have always been fascinated with explanations on the workings of nature.) This book provides a strong foundation of knowledge in all of these subjects and a number of others. Many of us dream of flying. But safe flying requires more than dreaming. Flying is a discipline. By covering all areas of aviation, and showing us how important knowledge in each of these areas is critical to safe flying, Illman gives us a much more accurate picture of what it takes to become a pilot. By emphasizing the responsibilities of the pilot we can better determine if we really want to become a Pilot In Charge. If you read and understand this book you will know whether or not flying is for you.
No one book can completely prepare you for flying. But this book covers enough to get you started with a firm foundation. I read this book from cover to cover before I began my using my study guides for the FAA exam. (I am currently using Gleim's Private Pilot study course, which I also recommend.) The Pilot's Handbook gave me a much better understanding of aviation and has greatly enhanced my learning. That Private Pilot certificate doesn't seem so far away.

This book is written by an individual who is clearly not a even flight instructor. In fact, he gives some information that is NOt correct and may well get the student/pilot in dutch with Air Traffic Control.

As a flight instructor myself one of my students bought this to help himself with his radio work. The book suggests the use of "with you" in the inital call up to control.

The term "with you" is incorrect for several reasons: It is untrue the pilot is not with the controller.
Second, this term is NOT found ANYWHERE in the pilot-controller glossary as part of the AIM.

I have heard controllers correcting even airline crews for using this incorrect term.

If you buy this book and use it's terinology you WILL hear about it; probably from ATC, and your instructor if he/she is proficient in radion coimmunication, and almost definitaely from your examiner!