Jeppesen Instrument/Commercial Textbook.....?

Question

I need a copy of this book very soon (for instrument ground school), but I want an older copy to save some money. I found the 2002 edition, and I'm trying to find out if there's any significant difference between that version and the latest. Anyone know? (don't respond by saying "I don't know", or something like that. I'm looking for an answer. I'm not looking for people who don't know.)

Answer 1

there have been some changes but most of the important stuff remains unchanged.  I would say buy the cheapest book you can get your hands on and supplement it with a current FAR/AIM and a current instrument and commercial written test guides. the Instrument flying handbook put out by the FAA is also a good investment

A FAR/AIM (Mcgraw-Hill is the worst as someone pointed out. Jepp makes a good one but I like ASA the most, its a little smaller and easier to use.)will run you about $25, the test guides about $15 each. the FAA handbook goes for about $20

Honestly, if you don't buy the jepp book you'll be fine. Study the test guides, know them inside and out,  hit the instrument flying handbook pretty heavily, skim through the FAR/AIM (part 61 and 91 are the important sections in the FAR to know, skim through the aim and read what seems important) and pay attention to the lectures and you'll get all the information you need. But if the Jepp book is cheap, pick it up too. It makes a great reference later on.

Answer 2

Only thing that may have changed is the addition of more glass/GPS type stuff.

Needle, ball, airspeed still works though.

Personally I always wanted to know how to do an Adcock Range.

Answer 3

Whatever you do, stay away from the AIM/FAR book published by McGraw-Hill. I purchased their version a few years ago and it was full of spelling mistakes and even a handful of outright errors. Definitely not what I would expect in a legal document.