...Big Blue Book....
I struggled with finding the right level at which to pitch my ground briefings at first, often straying into ATPL theory until I got the hang of it. Campbells big blue book is good for the majority of subjects. Just make sure you've got an upto date version!
I find Thoms / The Air Pilots Manuals are good for giving the basics but now, as FiS says there is usually little time in a live environment - It is often the case that the student will ask 'how does this work...or...what does that do that for?' which then brings on the discussion.
However much the pressure though, always brief thoroughly the flight sections of the course. A minute on the ground saves two in the air!
Last edited by Duchess_Driver; 29th Apr 2008 at 11:17.