Logging actual IMC on a solo commercial x-country would be legal providing that you are on an IFR flight plan. //
Ok, apart from the obvious reading essentials -FAR/AIM and the PTS's- here are my suggestions-
Highly recommended reading:
-Aerodynamics for Naval Aviators, ASA
-Principles of Flight, Trevor Thom
-The Flight Instructors Manual, William K. Kershner
-Flight Instructor's Lesson Plan Handbook, by Edwin Quinlan.
Other books to consider:
-The Pilots Manual- series 1,2,3- Trevor Thom,
-The Pilots Manual –Private Pilot Syllabus- Jackie Spanitz
-The Pilots Manual –Instrument Rating Syllabus- Jackie Spanitz
-The Pilots Manual –Commercial Pilot Syllabus- Jackie Spanitz
-Advance Pilot’s Flight Manual, William K. Kershner
-The Basic Aerobatic Manual, William K. Kershner
-Aviation Instructor’s Handbook, FAA
-Pilots Handbook on Aeronautical Knowledge, FAA
-Pilots Weight & Balance Handbook, FAA
-Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA
-Aviation Weather, FAA
-Aviation Weather Services, FAA
-Aviation Weather Services Explained, ASA
-Flying America’s Weather, Thomas A. Horne
-Flying in Adverse Conditions, R. Randall Padfield
-In-flight Icing, Porter J, Perkins & William J. Rieke
-Severe Weather Flying, Dennis Newton
-Improve Your Flying Skills, Donald J. Clausing
-Aviator’s Guide to Navigation, Donald J. Clauding
-Mental Math for Pilots, Ronald D. McElroy
-Avoiding Mid-Air Collisions, Shari Stamford Krasue, Ph.D.
-The Pilot’s Reference to ATC Procedures and Phraseology, Thomas S. Mills & Janet S. Archibald
-Flightwise-Vol 2 Aircraft Stability and Control, Chris Carpenter
-Flight Instructors Manual, R. D. Campbell
-Mechanics of Flight, A C Kermode
-Flight Without Formulae, A C Kermode
-Mountain Flying Bible, Sparky Imeson
-Guide to the Biennial Flight Review, ASA
-Pilot Examiner’s Handbook
-Tips to Fly By, Richard L. Collins
Study hard, and always remember the 5 P's. :beer:
All the best