What General Grant Can Teach Pilots About Anxiety May 2021 By Rod Machado When Bob stepped into his Cessna 172 on a recent Sunday morning, he had no idea how difficult it would be to apply power for takeoff. No,...
May the G-force Not be With You March 2021 By Rod Machado This is a actual letter I received from a student pilot along with my reply. Dear Mr. Machado: I don't know what to do. I'm a student...
It’s a Long Way Down, Isn’t It? March 2019 Psst! Psst! Come here. Come a little bit closer. I’ve got something I want to ask you, and I don’t want anyone else to hear. Are you afraid of heights?...
The Middle-aged Aviator August 2018 By Rod Machado Over the years, I’ve heard many stories about middle-aged pilots (45-65 years) who gave up flying due to a sudden onset of anxiety. Apparently this wasn’t induced...
Checkride Anxiety: Much Ado About Everything February 2018 By Rod MachadoAn FAA designated examiner once told me about the most anxious private pilot candidate he ever experienced on a checkride. Aside from sweating and mumbling during the oral...
Runway Safety Madness – Tongue n’ Cheek November 2017 Nobody moves, nobody gets hurt. That’s my new strategy for preventing runway incursions. It’s a reasonable plan, given that these events have actually increased since the FAA began seriously collecting...
Defeated by "da" Feet October 2017 By Rod Machado You’ve heard this sad tale before: Forty hours of dual instruction, with over 200 logged landings—and Bobby still can’t land an airplane. Bobby is in such despair...
The FORBIDDEN Question October 2016 By Rod Machado During my high school years, it was known as the forbidden dance—the Lambada. Do it on the dance floor in front of the principal and you’d be...
Bad Instructors: How They Behave and Why You Should Know November 2015 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...
