A wonderful reference and learning guide. I've been flying for over twenty years, and teaching for over three. As Rod suggests, I offer my students the choice between the [Brand X] and Machado texts. Not only do my students enjoy the Machado flight manual, I find that they understand the material better. If any material is interesting to the student, they will learn it more easily and remember it. Without hesitation, I let my students learn from Rod. I find his explanations to be more accurate and understandable than the FAA's own manuals. I highly recommend this book based on the content, and the impact I've seen this book have on my students.
N. W.
CFII Hopkinton, MA
Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook was my main source of information in studying for the written exam. The exam was easy, only took a half-hour, and I walked away with a grade of 100. I'm sure many people ace it, but I'm no rocket scientist..:) I refer Rod’s book to anybody & everybody that asks what to use for studying the ground school material. I’m not the only one.
D.R.P.
Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook has more information and makes for easier reading than any other book available. Rod Machado’s Instrument Pilots Survival Manual is A-One.
LJB
I just got my Private Pilot and can't believe I did it! It is still sinking in. It was a long haul with a lot of brick walls but I scaled them all and did it! What a thrill. I have Rod’s books in my flight school showcase for sale because it was Rod’s book that helped so immensely. I have 3 women student pilots and they will get Rod’s book soon. It was such a help to the female mind. Thanks Rod for everything! To quote Amelia Earhart..."I want to do it because I want to do it!"
G.S.
Previous Right Seater, now Left Seat!
Confessions in deep respect and admiration! :) I was glad to throw away [Brand X] (ugh!) manual and switch to Rod’s Private Pilot Handbook while working on PPL. Rod sure can explain things really well, particularly since he always has more than one explanation to something complicated! (I'm now working on my instrument rating.)
E.K.
I'm 17 years old, and just received my private license today. I'm currently looking at different aviation related options with colleges, and possibly the military. I read Rod’s column in AOPA Pilot every month, and have read Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook, and would just like to say how much I've learned from Rod’s writings.
Dan
After reading many of Rod’s articles over the years and his books, I am convinced Rod could teach a monkey to fly- an intelligent one anyway. Rod’s Private Pilot Handbook is a learning staple among my students. I’ve since shown the book to a few instructor friends of mine who have been basically bowled over by all the info Rod packs into that book. I also bought Rod’s Instrument Survival Manual, which I am thoroughly enjoying.
T.G.
CFI
RMPPH is aero knowledge distilled into one amazing book - just about everything covered and easily readable—excellent.
IM
Last Friday, I completed and passed my Private Pilot check ride, something that I maintain was greatly helped by having used Rod’s Handbook. Interestingly, the Designated Examiner commented that my oral element was excellent, and that he put me in the top 10%, wishing that all his candidates would come as well prepared. Personally, I just put this down to the fact that I knew that anything could be asked and studied accordingly. I'm sure this set the way for the rest of the check ride, it certainly must have helped. I credit it greatly to Rod’s excellent book. I found it both instructive and easy to read and will keep it handy for future reference, especially when the flight review approaches. For the immediate future I want to take some nice flights with my family, and then start on my Instrument Rating. Needless to say I'll be after another book then, I wonder (smile) which one I'll choose?!
K.G.
If you don't learn it with Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook, you won't learn it.
KT
I enjoy reading Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook. I am currently using it for my private pilot ground school as I begin my flight training. After 4 years of college & thousands of hours of professional training I feel that Rod’s book is one of the BEST textbooks on ANY subject that I have EVER read (I particularly enjoyed and can relate to the comment on p. L24 about attending the annual humidity festival in Houston). I read somewhere that Rod is working on additional books. I look forward to reading them.
M.M.,
Houston, TX
I’m an aircraft engineer in the RAF. Flying in the UK is expensive, so after a transfer to the US, I started flight training pretty much straight away. I soloed, certainly a memory I shall hold forever, but after a further solo flight, I lost confidence, I really don't think I had been prepared enough. My flight training slowly decreased until it virtually stopped. I bought Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook on recommendation and have now read it from cover to cover. I wish I had known as much as I do now, back when I soloed and had a few bad experiences. I think I would have continued through. It has certainly given me the confidence to start flying again with a vengeance. I took my writtens last month with a 98% result, something I definitely put down to having studied Rod’s book. Who knows, maybe I'll be buying Rod’s Instrument Manual in the near future. :-)
K.G.
I'm a 19 year French man. I earned my Instrument ticket. I’m now working on my Commercial training. My private instructor recommended Rod’s Private Pilot Handbook. Honestly, I didn't think I would still be using it for my Commercial training. I absolutely love Rod’s book. His clear, simple but yet relatively in-depth discussions with his humorous style make this book a joy to read, re-read and re-re-re-read. I regularly read parts of a chapter that I did not fully understand and Rod’s explanations make it easy to understand (especially even more for a foreign student I think). It helped and still help me *tremendously* to understand difficult concepts.
L. C.
I tell all of my students that they're making a HUGE mistake if they don't purchase Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook—and read it cover to cover. It really is the best book of its kind out there.
J.B.
CFI
Just a note to express my appreciation for the excellent resource of Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook. I, just today, passed my FAA Private Pilot written knowledge exam with a score of 97 and can attribute it to this great learning aid. What a fantastic help in learning the information in such an enjoyable manner. I appreciate the fact that our ground school chose this publication over all the others on the market. I am glad that they did so!
J.C.,
Student Pilot 18.9 hours
The best single source of primary aviation material I've seen anywhere.
AS
Absolute must for anyone seeking PPL rating. Machado provides the student with all of the necessary information required for flight training and more in an entertaining and informative fashion. Not boring as FAA or ICAO publications and most definitely a much easier read. If you're looking to become a private pilot and are shopping for textbooks, look no further. Great book, plenty of info, a must have for PP's and aspiring PP's everywhere.
N.T.H. Indianapolis
Simply a must for those seeking a PPL. It never ceases to amaze me how much has been written about aviation and how confusing it can be to the initial student. I read this book cover to cover when learning to fly. I also read many others but found this to be the most complete and certainly the most readable. Moving on though my flight ratings I found myself using it often as a resource as we tend to forget such things. I have had my students use it thought the years and the feedback is uniformly highly favorable. I would encourage all to read it. Machado is very good and a legend in flight instruction. This book should be THE book for all student pilots.
S.S.S. Chicago
Excellent! I think Rod Machado is a genius. His Private Pilot Handbook simplifies without leaving anything out the most complicated aspects of aviation. He seems to understand the doubts that arise and answers them promptly. Thousands of diagrams to simplify your understanding.
DA
Excellent source of knowledge for aviators, old and new, and to help you pass your private pilot written exam. Valuable for reference material beyond your written exam. One of the most detailed and extensive sources.
JR
Machado's book provides the additional background and concepts that truly help students better understand the topics for the written and practical tests. Great reference book too and I do refer to it often. Memory aids are excellent, especially regarding airspace and light signals.
JSK
Excellent! Used this book as my main resource book as I worked toward my Private license. I had the (Brand X), but when I needed clarification or real insight, I picked up Machado's Handbook. His ability to take the complex and explain it in simple concepts makes this book worth its weight in aviation fuel.
BC
This book is great! It has in-depth and accurate explanations of pretty much everything that is covered in private pilot training. It is fun to read as well, with Rod's excellent humor. This book is a good resource to me even after I got my license.
E.G.
Tustin, CA
This book is unique. It explains complex topics to newcomers in a clear and fun manner. Rod starts with the basics of flight principles and takes you all the way to advanced flight planning, avionics, etc. He uses numerous visual aides to reinforce his points as well as add humor. This book also instructs through examples and stories - doing an excellent job of conveying both the concept and its application. I highly recommend this book to anyone learning how to fly.
M.D.
Bellevue, WA
Rod writes with humor in a way that makes everything easy to remember. By the time I started ground training, I found that I knew just about everything that they covered. Much easier to read and much more interesting than the materials that came with the private pilot kit that I bought for ground training.
ACA
A very, very, excellent book for students, or pilots of yesterday, and flight simulator enthusiasts. Having difficulty understanding some subjects such as VOR, ADF's, DME's, Radio Comm, Gyros/instruments, Flight Planning, the flight calculator [better than the manufacturer's instructions], understanding flight charts, Air Space, etc.? This is a book you cannot afford to miss. It contains good color photographs of flight charts which are a poor display as photocopies in other manuals allowing you to really see and catch on to details.
R.H.M.
Panama, Central America
Entertaining education. This book was excellent in many ways. I read it cover to cover once but used it as a reference many more times throughout my training. It helped me make a 93 on the PPL written, but more importantly it allowed me to thoroughly understand the concepts and ultimately pass the oral and practical tests. Illustrations are EXCELLENT, and there are a lot of them. Highly recommended.
J.H.M.
Austin, TX
Well done! I'm still working on getting myself prepared to take the written test. I tried reading other books on the subject before but gave up because I got bored and my brain blanked out. Not so with this book - Rod has a very entertaining way of explaining technically complex things.
A.K.
Javea, Spain
Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook is must reading for pilots in training! The author takes extremely complicated issues and describes them thoroughly but in a way a 5-year-old could understand. I remember his explanations. Full of illustrations and anecdotes on the side. He can help anyone understand the basics of piloting. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get a pilot’s license. I wish he would write even more.
CK
Excellent reference. I can nearly always find exactly what I am looking for when it comes to basic flying questions. Highly recommend Rod’s book.
DS
If you actually want to understand the concepts then buy this book. Rod's text enables you to enjoy reading. Buy the book for the diagrams and illustrations that makes the concepts readily understandable. I consider Rod’s book a MUST HAVE for any aspiring pilot or even for anyone just curious about aviation. It will give you everything you need to pass the written AND it will make you a better pilot at the same time.
MI
Absolutely the best investment you can make. Page upon page of well written text, great images and illustrations, and photos (simple, clear, and very effective), are what make the book a winner. If you buy ONE book related to flying, Rod Machado’s Private Pilot Handbook should be it.
IA
Rod Machado = funny and relevant. Rod Machado is easily the best author in the aviation field. His work is always right on target and valuable to new pilots and veterans alike. He presents his material in a humorous fashion that makes it very quick reading and keeps you learning all the time.
C.C.N.
Snohomish, WA
As a current CFI since 1962, and later an air-carrier pilot, I have known many CFI's and professional aviation instructors in the past 40 years. Rod is definitely one of the easiest and most fun to learn from, and without a doubt enjoys his profession which shows in his success. I taught my son to fly nearly 10 years ago, and he has every book Rod has published at my recommendations. I first met Rod in the early '70's. He was then, and is to this day a true professional aviation instructor.
Elbie Mendenhall ,
CFI SMELL, A&I, Formerly ATP Designated Examiner CE-500 FSDO-65, Capt. American Airline Ret.
Must have Machado’s book for a private pilot’s license. I have read through quite a few other books before I got this one, and this is the only book you need. Great explanations, and humor.
MV
I highly recommend Rod’s book to anyone who is considering studying for the Private Pilot Certificate. I have spent the last thirty years working in aviation-related jobs. There is a lot of technical knowledge to be learned in several different fields, and Mr. Machado did a very good job of helping me to learn new material in an entertaining way. I also gained a better understanding of some material that I already knew a bit about. The book is good at explaining the subject matter in a humorous way that makes it easier to understand and remember. The subjects are well organized and there are plenty of illustrations to go with the text.
W.E.R.
Pasadena, CA
Great all-in-one book. Rod’s is an excellent book. Mainly the diagrams, and pictures taken from actual flight manuals and charts, make it very easy to learn and comprehend. A large book it is, it is nicely organized as well as very good in summarizing key points that the FAA will ask on the exam.
Brett, Riverside, CA
The right choice for beginners or professionals. Rod’s Handbook explains tough concepts using examples and simple analogies. Important things are repeated so you don't miss anything. If you want to learn what a private pilot needs to know... this is the book you're looking for.
MJ
A must-have addition to your aviation library. Whether you're learning this stuff for the first time, or brushing up on material that didn't quite stick the first time around, Rod’s book is a must-have. It covers everything, with easy to understand explanations (not regurgitations, but explanations), terrific illustrations (original graphics that compliment the great explanations), and some corny humor and funny stories that may actually make you chuckle out loud. I did.
Adam, Sherman Oaks, CA
As textbooks go, Rod’s is a wonder. Even the illustrations are funny. Great way to transmit information, especially to a reader who's been afflicted by the more traditional flight instruction manuals. The book you turn to when others are putting you to sleep.
D. Ford
As a private pilot I am always looking for new books to read regarding general aviation. I live in Argentina and Rod’s book has helped me to polish my skills. Its a must read for pilots all over the world. This book can save your life when you are up there.
M.B. Buenos Aires, Argentina
Rod's book is great! Provides good coverage of all the basics, yet injected with a sense of humor, which definitely helps you through the mass of material. It's easy to read over time, in one-chapter increments, as your flight training progresses.
Rick,
New York, NY
This book is a must for experts and dummies. I guess Mr. Machado realized there are a few of us dummies out here who find it difficult to understand technical manuals that he wrote this excellent book with us in mind. Mr. Machado's humor, the easy to read text and the follow up step-by-step diagrams make this book a breeze to understand. I certainly give this book a *****+ rating.
R.L.
Redmond, WA
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