In short: In this brief introduction, Rod Machado presents his eLearning private pilot ground school for anyone thinking about learning to fly, planning a professional flying career, or preparing for a flight review. He describes it as comprehensive, with material comparable to a college semester ground school, and designed to be engaging and fun.
Video: “Learn to Fly with Rod Machado” by Rod Machado, from his YouTube channel.
What you’ll learn
- Who Rod designed the course for, from future professionals to pilots due for a flight review
- How the course compares in depth to a single-semester college ground school
- The range of topics covered, from aerodynamics and weather to regulations and performance
- How built-in FAA-style practice questions reinforce each lesson
- What you receive when you finish, including an endorsement to take the knowledge exam
A ground school for several kinds of pilots
Rod keeps this video short. He says the course is for anyone considering learning to fly, whether to become a professional pilot or a private pilot, and for licensed pilots who want to prepare for an upcoming flight review.
What sets it apart, he says, is how comprehensive it is. The material is what you would typically cover in a college semester ground school. Just as important to Rod, it is meant to be engaging and enjoyable, because he believes people learn better when they are having a good time.
What the course includes
According to the video description, the course is a highly animated, interactive program spanning about 40 hours across 26 modules. Sample topics include aerodynamics, engines, electrical systems, flight instruments, federal aviation regulations, airport operations, radio operations, airspace, aviation charts, radio navigation, weather and weather briefings, flight planning, performance charts, and weight and balance.
Each lesson ends with FAA-style knowledge questions, more than 1,200 in total, to reinforce what you have learned. When you complete the course, you receive a graduation certificate and an endorsement to take the private pilot knowledge exam.
For a student pilot, a solid ground school does more than help you pass a test. It gives you the background knowledge that makes each flight lesson more productive, which is the foundation Rod says the course is designed to provide. If you are weighing how to tackle the written exam, this introduction is a quick way to see whether his teaching style suits you.
Go deeper with Rod Machado
This video is a quick introduction to Rod’s online private pilot ground school, which prepares you for the knowledge exam and the flight training that follows. Learn more in Rod Machado’s 40-Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School.
Looking for a flight instructor or flight school near you? Browse instructors and training programs on Skyfarer.
Affiliate disclosure: Skyfarer may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via our links. This funds our content for pilots.
