Rod Machado's Private Pilot Handbook: The Ultimate Private Pilot Book

by Rod Machado, Diane Titterington (Artist), Gerry Fairbairn (Foreword)

Welcome to your instructor in a book. Written by a veteran ground and flight instructor, this book is presented in a warm, conversational manner and spiced with humor. With a quarter of century of teaching experience, Rod Machado's tried-and-true methods of instruction have achieved exceptional results with thousands of students. His fresh approach to instructing has made him a popular national speaker and educator. Rod has the unique ability to simplify the difficult and his humor helps you remember the lesson.

Genres: Aviation

572 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[Kiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book seems to contain a lot of useful and accurate information. I say "seems" because I was only able to get through the first and last chapters. My instructor wasn't wrong when he said that some people enjoy Machado's style and sense of humor, and some don't. Unfortunately, I found it unbearable - I was groaning at least once a paragraph, and that made the book unreadable for me. If you find the same thing happening to you, go read Stick and Rudder instead!

[platkat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judging from the thickness and catch-all scope of this book, I have a feeling this is going to be like my epic reading of The Guide to Getting It On but with planes.

Fuck, no Fly My Life.

Update (4/9/21): Looks like I was wrong. It's ten years later and almost as many since I've flown a plane. Oh well. We're back to "Fuck My Life" again.

[Justin J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. It’s dense. In particular the weather chapter, I found daunting. I’m just starting my journey towards my private pilot certificate. I wanted to finish reading it all before my first flight as a student. I did. However, it took me longer than I anticipated because it is so dense. It really makes me wonder the ratio of “stuff you need to know to be safe and pass the oral and written exam” versus “let me tell you everything known on this topic”. It stands up over time when it comes to the analog methods but is decidedly dated on decisions covering technology. It could stand a refresh on those parts.

As far as the jokes go… Yes there are “dad jokes” but that’s ok I’m a dad. I acknowledge them and recognize them for what they are which is a way to nudge the reader to stay awake at times during the dense bits. None of the jokes are offensive or in bad taste, just “dad joke” level of humor.

[Thomas Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Used this book in flight school when I was getting my private pilots license.
Wasn't the book on the syllabus, however I found it to be much better than the book everyone else purchased. The instructions and theories are presented in common sense English and I very much enjoyed reading it.

[George Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fairly easy read but in an attempt to create humour, bits ended up sounding trivial and cringe-worthy. The book is still good enough for me to recommend though for anyone interested in general aviation or taking PPL exams.

[Edin Kapić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even with the basic cheesy jokes it contains, it is a very good textbook for PPL.

[bp · Rating 4 out of 5]

well, I'm a private pilot now; I suppose it was helpful :)

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most readable and user friendly aviation text book I've ever read. The visual aids were very effective and usually funny as well. I also enjoyed Rod's humour, which was sometimes a little corny like my dad's. :-)

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of corny jokes, but the illustrations and memory aids cannot be beat. Far better than any other PPL textbook.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great at helping me learn and remember all the necessary concepts to become a good pilot! He has great humor and analogies and pictures that really help you learn well!

[Jeremysparks]

excellent. provides much info for the newbie like me.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stimulant overload! Well, at least I can say I got my PPL.

[Kenny McGinnis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable story.