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Light hearted seriousness
- By Peter from Rindge NH USA on Wednesday, July 15, 2015
- Pros: Easy to read and understand with anecdotal stories and illustrations
- Cons: Soft cover would cost less
- Review: Used Mr. Machado's book for my private license, this one much of the same style and very readable. With some repetition from the first book, this one continues on with the more advanced subject matter, again well presented. It makes a difficult subject somewhat more easily learned.
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I would buy this product again
- By John from Birmingham AL USA on Thursday, January 20, 2011
- Review: I have never flown an airplane, but I love to try all sorts of problems flying Microsoft Simulations such as #10. I like to plot trips to VORs and Cities. I have a plan that requires me to have to land if I take off from anyplace. The new front panels have me stumped sometimes. How about a book that gives explanation of all panels in the most planes especially simulations such as Flight Simulator 10. I am 83 years old and have never been in a small plane. I can use GPS, also
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Primary knowledge tool
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Corny and well-written
- By Mark from Missoula MT USA on Friday, December 2, 2016
- Review: Comprehensive, much easier to follow than the competition. Corny joke every other paragraph but breaks up the monotony. Learning IFR and have used Jeppesen. Cant say content is different but easier to learn for me.
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Rod Machado's Instrument Pilot's Handbook
Excellent explanations w/examples and for referral
- By Billy Carnley from Bentonville, AR on Saturday, June 7, 2014
- Pros: Approach to explaining techniques, concepts, etc.
- Cons: The "jokes" are a bit much at times and take away from what he's explaining.
- Review:
I have Rod VFR private pilot handbook and expected his IFR to be an excellent book too and it is. He explains IFR regulations, instruments, techniques, etc in a way where you understand what normally is dry and hard to understand technique or concept. His experience as a flight instructor definitely benefits his his approach writing aviation handbooks- he writes like he talking to you.
I have the FAA IFR and other manuals and a part 141 "student kit" that describes IFR techniques and requirements but not always in a way that I understand. This is when I refer to Rod's IFR handbook to really understand the what other "drier" manuals attempt to explain. - Was this review helpful to you? Yes No 1 Other people found this review helpful.
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Nobody Does It Like Rob
- By Terry from Encinitas (San Diego) on Wednesday, January 19, 2011
- Pros: Witty, remarkable, interesting, thorough, precise, understandable.
- Cons: None, except it is HEAVY and hard to read in bed.
- Review: Got Rob's book for my Private Test after slogging through the FAA manuals for 6 months. He makes difficult concepts easy. All I used to pass the Instrument Written was Rob's book and Gleim's kit with test book and test CD. The two combine to be at once interesting, informative, and practical. Rob's "real life" explanations make me feel like I'm talking to him. There are not many questions that I can think of that Rob does not answer perfectly, with great humor (that I believe reinforces the learning).
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Worthwhile book
- By Jody from Sterling VA USA on Monday, March 1, 2010
- Review: He does make a lot of dumb jokes. But the book is very long and detailed. Without the jokes, I probably would have had a tougher time staying focused. Good read, good reference.
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Great Book
- By A Customer from madison IN USA on Friday, September 25, 2009
- Pros: Puts complex issues into an easy to understand format
- Cons: A little too humorus at times.
- Review: Love this book. I am currently studying/reviewing for the checkride. Rod's book really lays it out in an understandable way. Wish I had it when I was studying for the written.
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2 for 2
- By Jim from Arlington VA USA on Thursday, August 18, 2011
- Pros: Explains topics in a way that is easily understood.
- Cons:
- Review: I first purchased Ron's Private Pilot Handbook, which was fantastic. Having earned my certificate, I've started reading Ron's Instrument Pilot's Handbook and find it equally enlightening. I recommend both books.
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GREAT book!
- By Thomas from Hiram GA USA on Saturday, December 8, 2012
- Review: From the time I took the book out of the box I was impressed. Paper stock was heavy. There are "hundreds" of figures in this volumne. The artwork was well done and very detailed. Text is up-to-date with reference to T routes. Well worth the price. Would recommend to any instrument student or instrument rated pilot who wants to brush up on the details.
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It's big and expensive but worth it.
- By John from Rancho Palos Verdes CA USA on Monday, March 18, 2013
- Pros: Very Complete
- Cons: Not on Kindle but it wouldn't work well there, too many graphics.
- Review: It's a little on the expensive side but might be the best book instrument flying I've seen. It's up to date and covers the basics as well as new stuff like GPS approaches.
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Very indepth book on the insturment rating
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learning with out trying
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He makes you laugh when you feel like crying
- By randall from Richland Center WI USA on Thursday, March 4, 2010
- Pros: LOTS of pictures, diagrams, examples, and of course... HUMOR.
- Cons: Maybe a little TOO much humor... and quite a few typos as well.
- Review: As usual, Mr. Machado has artfully taken a very challenging curriculum and made it approachable. Though he does not skimp at all on rigor, he manages to get you to smile time after time, right when you are on the verge of giving up. I can see where the more "serious types" might find his writings to contain too much "fluff", but for those of us who enjoy laughter... even if we are laughing at ourselves as we work toward becoming better pilots, Rod Machado provides a spot of blue sky in the murky greyness of attaining new knowledge. Thank you so much Rod for seeing the value in humor, and the strength that comes with being able to laugh at yourself as you grow as a human being. Aristotle once said... "There can be no learning... without PAIN"... and though I agree with that statement... I see nothing wrong with a little laughter infused between intellectual beatings.
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Great book at a great price
More Than a Paper Weight
- By Carl from Galt CA USA on Tuesday, January 22, 2008
- Pros: Exceptional graphics and explanations
- Cons: The book is heavy and should have been made in two volumes
- Review: Excellent details and tips, though you may need a bucket to gag in because of his gags. I needed a new book with more on GPS and changes in the system. I chose his book as review prior to taking up instructing after a long hiatus and forgetting more than I knew.
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I like Rod's personal writing format
- By William Allan Chambers from Palm Coast FL USA on Sunday, March 9, 2008
- Pros: Authoritative , illustration Rich
- Cons: Too many short interuptions for humor (although funny sometimes its just slightly too much).
- Review: Rod Machado's style of writing leads to instant understanding of some complex subject matter. No doubt his years of experience teaching students in the intricacies of various aviation subjects.
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Best IFR Book for Me
- By A Customer from Santa Clara CA USA on Monday, February 4, 2008
- Review: Rod does it again, Very similar to style in his private pilot book. I'm in middle of training and this is by far the most useful book i've purchased.
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Very thorough
- By Mike In AZ from Peoria, AZ on Thursday, February 14, 2008
- Pros: Comprehensive
- Cons: Lots of typos. Cover printing started to separate from paper backing
- Review: The depth of material and how Rod is able to illustrate a concept really helps it to flow very well. It still took me two months to read it cover to cover. Although, I'll need to re-read it again so it soaks in some more. It was great knowledge to know past PTS. We should all be more proficient pilots and not just accept the minimums right? ;)
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Great Read!
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Great book
Every instrument pilot needs this!
- By Laurie from Waukesha WI USA on Wednesday, November 28, 2007
- Pros: Breaks down complicated information in an easily understandable format.
- Cons: Couldn't really come up with any!
- Review: Rod's sense of humor and easy-to-understand explanations of the technical aspects of instrument flying make this a MUST have for instrument students, as well as seasoned pilots. The color graphics and vignettes add to the overall quality of the layout and content. If you can't work with Rod himself, this is definitely the next best thing!
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everything you thought you knew about IFR is in this book
- By Bill from Gladstone NJ USA on Wednesday, December 5, 2007
- Pros: Well Written---great graphics
- Cons:
- Review:
Far exceeded expectations.
Graphics are great---the explanations of why things are done they way they are in IFR flying provides a depth knowledge beyond the mechanics. - Was this review helpful to you? Yes No 0 Other people found this review helpful.
A Clear and Concise Guide to Flying in the Clouds
- By Tom Gilmore, MCFI from Stuart, FL on Wednesday, September 26, 2007
- Pros: A must have for a new instrument pilot or one considering the training.
- Cons: So big it will hog ten spaces on your bookshelf!
- Review:
Rod has outdone himself on this book! The graphics and simple explanation of many complex instrument flying tasks are worth the cost of this publication alone!
This book will serve the instrument pilot community with a great addition to their aviation library. I loved the layout and presentation of vital information in a fun and factual format. As a welcome addition, all of the latest technology is described in an easy to assimilate style for the reader. - Was this review helpful to you? Yes No 0 Other people found this review helpful.
Outstanding Resource
- By Wally from Fayetteville GA USA on Friday, April 25, 2008
- Pros: Great style and humor
- Cons: Voluminous
- Review: This is a great resource book for both the new IFR pilot and the experienced pilot. It answers all the questions that might surface during any IFR checkride.
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Excellent - provides all of the essential information in a clear form
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Pound For Pound - Good Value
- By Rayson from Hebron IN USA on Monday, September 15, 2008
- Review: A very well written book. However it should come with a small trolley on which to move it around. It could be re-marketed as a strength developing aid. Herin lies the trickery of Mr. Machado for when one is exhausted from carrying this tome one is tempted to set it down and flip through the pages. That is when ones interest is peaked and, flyer or not, one becomes enthralled. A good book that acheives its aim.
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Finally starting to understand IFR
- By A Customer from Cochranville PA USA on Friday, November 21, 2025
- Pros: Finally putting together Instrument flying in my head thanks to this book
- Cons: Some of the colors in the sidebars can make reading difficult.
- Review: It seems like this book is getting a little dated based on the instruments a lot of are, or will be flying with. Pleasant to read and excellent explanations with some humor mixed in.
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Great book but silly comedy overload
- By Luis from Nashua NH USA on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
- Pros: Well Written Illustration
- Cons: Overuse of comedy
- Review: Great written book jam packed with information that is easy to digest. Rod explains difficult concepts well. Lots of illustration to make the points. However, he is overly comedic and sometimes gets in the way of the great content. I am fine with humor, just dont overuse it.
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"Informative, yet extremely corny"
- By Bill from Folsom, CA, USA on Monday, November 29, 2010
- Pros: First book read on instrument flying. Very informative.
- Cons: Ron Machado's jokes would NEVER make it on the BIG stage.
- Review: Ron's book is my introduction to instrument flying. It contains a wealth of information for the beginning reader on instrument training. I learned (and am still learning) a great deal from it. It will go along way in helping to reach my instrument rating. However, the constant bombardment of corny, B-rated jokes actually distracted me in my reading of the book. While some (about 5%) of the jokes made me chuckle, most of them were really, really NOT funny (except maybe to Ron himself). On my second reading, I am lining out all the unnecessary "humor" so that I can skip over it and concentrate on my training.
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Good stuff
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Good Book.
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Good Material Coverage, Too many bad jokes
- By Christopher from Grayslake IL USA on Tuesday, March 24, 2009
- Pros: Very good at getting info across in a pragmatic manner.
- Cons: Too many bad jokes - lots of fluff
- Review: Great book at getting the info to you. A lot of pictures that identify runway details, approach equipment, radio antenna etc. The book could probably be a 2/3 of it's current length if there weren't SO MANY bad jokes. It is overkill.
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Well written
- By Jayant from San Jose CA USA on Tuesday, March 4, 2008
- Pros: pictures and good explanation
- Cons: humor sidetracks issues sometimes but can keep things moving
- Review: Anyone starting with IR would benifit from reading this book.
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Packed with good info and insights
- By Joe from Glendora CA USA on Monday, December 17, 2007
- Review:
Overall a great book. My biggest criticism is that there were/are a number of errors that seemed to be more related to inadequate proofreading rather than mistakes in facts by the author.
Rod Machado is very good at illustrating concepts and this book is no exception. - Was this review helpful to you? Yes No 0 Other people found this review helpful.
Classic Rod Machado
- By A Customer from Arizona on Wednesday, December 12, 2007
- Pros: Very clear explanations of instrument topics.
- Cons: Rod's humor can be a bit trite at times, but it's worth enduring for the rest of the content.
- Review: In his typical style, Rod Machado tackles all the intricacies of instrument flight. I haven't yet found an aviation author who explains things more clearly. More comprehensive than his previous "IP's Survival Manual".
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Good substance, But . . .
- By Forrest from Bastrop TX USA on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
- Pros: Content is good, once you find it.
- Cons: See above.
- Review: There is waaaaaaay too much annoying humor/chatter. I have found myself going to other sources, with this book left on the shelf. It's a shame, because the layout of the book is very good, with helpful pictures and graphics.
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Good supplemental reference if you have the money to burn
- By Dr. Rich from Lansdale PA USA on Friday, February 13, 2009
- Pros: Highly illustrated
- Cons: Over priced
- Review: Corny humor is way over done. For a book published by the Aviation Speakers Bureau the amount of errors in the book is a little disconcerting. What it lacks in quality it makes up in quantity. Easy reading. Nice, large illustrations throughout.
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Good writing, bad editing
- By A Customer from Columbia MO USA on Monday, January 21, 2008
- Pros: Writing, figures, humor
- Cons: Editing
- Review: Rod Machado's writing is wonderful. I cleary understood things that I couldn't even get a handle on during my private training. The figures are plentiful and very helpful. However, it seems like they forgot to edit the book, as there is a typo at least every other page. It detracts from the overall reading experience of the book. Hopefully they fix this soon, as it really is a great product.
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Very tangential, dry, humor, Rod needs to back up some.
- By Arsenio Delgado Sr. from Tucson, AZ on Monday, July 7, 2008
- Pros: Technically correct.
- Cons: Too much dry, boring humor.
- Review: Good technical information,as always. Rod is always giving good info from ATC's point of view... Book would be easier to read without trying to put humor in every page. Rod tries too hard to be funny, it's very distracting and after a while, it's not even funny, just wondering if I paid for an IFR book or for someone trying to break into the comedy scene.
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