Aviation Anxiety

Rod's Letter to the FAA and ACS Committee Members

Yes, really! The Private Pilot ACS adds 363 Risk Management items to the PPL practical exam testing requirements. Students are responsible for knowing the answers to each and every one of these items, all of which require highly subjective answers (according... read more

Minimum Cost Private Pilot Certificate

Greetings Folks:Below is a recent letter from a young man named Joel Thomas. Joel earned his pilot certificate at a very low cost using many of the recommendations I've made over the years. Yes, it's entirely possible to earn a... read more

Why Vx and Vy Change With Altitude

Recently, someone asked about why Vx and Vy change with altitude. This isn't necessarily an easy thing to understand since it involves several variables. So here's a modified "quick" version of the explanation on this topic that is covered in... read more

How to Flare Any Airplane Any Time and Anywhere

Princess Buttercup and I were walking on the Redondo Beach pier last month and unknowingly stumbled onto the “live” movie set of Big Momma 2. As I passed one of the props, an ice cream kiosk, I stopped to buy... read more

The Airman Certification Standards

As most readers of my blog know, I'm not a fan of the new Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for many reasons, not the least of which I originally posted with the FAA in 2013 (click here to read that response). Apparently, the... read more

Risk Management? Really?

Is the Emperor Naked? It Sure Looks That Way The illusion here is based on the FAA’s belief that student pilots can be taught risk management skills. Learning to manage risk, however, requires prerequisite knowledge that student pilots typically do... read more

Hot Props

Crocodiles and Propellers - Not Much Difference Sometimes we need to be reminded just how dangerous a propeller can be. The first video below shows a fellow pulling a propeller through to check for nicks when the engine started and... read more

Striving for Too Much, Too Soon - Fantasy Flight Training

Early in the previous decade, the FAA began heavily promoting a flight training concept known as scenario-based training (SBT). SBT was billed as a highly structured script of real-world experiences to address aviation training objectives in an operational environment. Hailed... read more

Rod Machado's "FREE" Private Pilot Flight Training Syllabus

I'd like to offer you two different syllabi (FREE). The first is my Private Pilot Flight Training Syllabus. This is intended for use by the flight instructor as well as the student. Both should have a copy for their own... read more

Flight Instructor Training Resources

I'm often asked about resources for CFI applicants. Here are a few resources that you might find useful. When I discover more, I'll be happy to list them here. Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook - A must have book to help... read more

In Defense of Stick and Rudder Training

It happened in the early 1990s. That was the time we saw the diminishing influence of WWII flight instructors (and their instructional progeny). Our pilots didn’t fly jets during that war. Instead, they flew airplanes that demanded exceptional stick and... read more

Bad Instructors: How They Behave and Why You Should Know

I'm curious about your experience with bad flight instructors and hope you'll add to this blog with your comments. Of course, most flight instructors do a fantastic job. I just can't say that LOUD enough: Most flight instructors do a fantastic... read more