Help for Instructors

Updated September 13, 2024

Rod Machado, a highly respected aviation educator with over 50 years of teaching experience, shares four key recommendations designed to help flight instructors improve their craft. Throughout his long and distinguished career, Machado has not only trained countless pilots but also developed a deep understanding of what makes an instructor truly effective. His insights, drawn from decades of real-world experience, offer practical and actionable advice for both newly certified and experienced flight instructors who are looking to enhance their teaching methods.

Machado’s teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that flight instruction is about more than just transferring technical knowledge—it's about helping students develop the skills, confidence, and mindset needed to become competent, independent pilots.

His recommendations focus on the essential elements of instruction, from continuous learning and self-improvement to the art of effective communication and the importance of prioritizing fundamental flying skills.

Through his four key principles, Machado aims to empower instructors to elevate their teaching, create more impactful learning experiences, and ultimately produce safer, more skilled pilots.

By following even just one of these principles, Machado promises that an instructor’s performance will increase dramatically, benefiting not only their students but also their own personal and professional growth as educators:

• 1. Read and Ask Questions: He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning by reading books and asking questions. He recommends several essential books for instructors, including The Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L’Amour and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Reading provides knowledge, but asking questions leads to wisdom.
• 2. Study Good Teachers: Observing and learning from great teachers is critical. Machado suggests watching skilled instructors in action, both in-person and through online resources, such as YouTube videos of renowned teachers like Richard Feynman, to understand effective teaching methods.
• 3. Talk Less, Teach More: He advises instructors to reduce unnecessary talking, which can distract students. Clear, concise instructions allow students to focus better, and giving them space to apply what they’ve learned fosters independence and skill development.
• 4. Teach Stick and Rudder Skills First: Prioritize teaching fundamental flying skills (stick and rudder techniques) over cockpit equipment mastery. Basic attitude flying skills are vital for building confidence, which is often overlooked in modern training focused on technology.

Disclaimer: We have obtained permission to repost and summarize the video content shared in this article. The insights and recommendations provided are based on the teachings of Rod Machado, a respected aviation educator.

While this summary offers valuable takeaways, we recommend flight instructors explore Rod Machado’s full range of e-materials and resources specifically designed for instructors to further enhance their knowledge and instructional techniques.

1. Read and Ask Questions

Your first interaction with a student sets the tone for your relationship. When a student reaches out or books a session, it's crucial to respond promptly and professionally. Introduce yourself and express your eagerness to help them achieve their aviation goals. Read the student's profile and ask more details about their current level of experience, what they hope to learn, and any challenges they’ve faced so far. This information will help you tailor your sessions to meet their specific needs.

Rod Machado stresses that one of the most important ways to improve as a flight instructor is to continuously expand your knowledge through reading and asking meaningful questions. He believes there are only two ways to get smarter: reading a lot of books and asking a lot of questions. While it's tempting to think knowledge can come passively, Machado points out that real learning requires actively engaging with educational materials and mentors.

The Power of Reading
Machado emphasizes the importance of reading as a critical tool for self-improvement. However, not all books are created equal, and as an instructor, it’s essential to read the right materials—those that will help you improve your ability to teach and interact with students. He provides a list of must-read books for new flight instructors, each of which addresses different aspects of teaching, self-development, and aviation education. His recommended reading list includes:

• The Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L'Amour: This book demonstrates how a person can learn extraordinary things through curiosity and by making the most of everyday experiences. Machado praises it for showing how an ordinary person can become extraordinary by taking advantage of opportunities to learn.
• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: A classic book that teaches communication skills, which Machado believes is crucial for instructors. He highlights that even mastering just one principle from this book can dramatically improve how you relate to students and customers, making you a more effective communicator.
• The Savvy Flight Instructor by Greg Brown: This book is recommended because it teaches flight instructors how to run their business professionally and efficiently, offering valuable insights into managing a flight instruction career.
• The Flight Instructor Survival Guide by Arlynn McMahon: This is considered a "sleeper" because it contains so much practical wisdom from experienced flight instructors that it can accelerate a new instructor’s growth.
• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: A deep dive into human psychology, this book helps instructors understand how people think and make decisions. Machado suggests that this knowledge can provide invaluable insights into how students learn and process information, enhancing the way instructors teach.

Asking Questions for Wisdom
While reading can make you smarter, asking questions helps you become wiser. Wisdom, according to Machado, is essential for leading a better life and helping others do the same. It’s about learning from experience, especially the experience of others. This is why Machado encourages instructors to seek out mentors—experienced instructors who have faced many of the same challenges—and ask meaningful, practical questions that may not be found in books.

For example, learning the technical aspects of a subject like welding from a book can only take you so far. To gain deeper insights and practical wisdom, you should ask an expert welder questions that come from their years of hands-on experience. The same principle applies to flight instruction—learning from others’ experiences and perspectives can provide invaluable guidance.

Overall, Machado emphasizes that the combination of reading and asking questions can dramatically improve your instructional abilities. By continually learning and seeking advice from those with more experience, a flight instructor can gain the knowledge and wisdom needed to excel in their career.

2. Study Good Teachers

Rod Machado emphasizes the importance of learning from those who excel in the art of teaching. He believes that one of the most effective ways to improve as a flight instructor is to observe and study great teachers in action. By understanding what makes these educators effective, instructors can incorporate those techniques and strategies into their own teaching practice. This process involves not only identifying good teachers but also analyzing their teaching methods and the impact they have on their students.

Learning from Masters
Machado suggests that good teachers are easy to spot—they tend to stand out due to their reputation and the high demand for their classes. These teachers often have the most students, and their lessons are typically the most difficult to schedule because of their popularity. Observing these teachers, whether in the classroom or in the cockpit, can provide valuable insights into what makes them successful.

For example, Machado recalls spending time in the back of classrooms and even in airplanes to watch how skilled instructors work with their students. He mentions that great teachers have a distinct ability to explain complex concepts clearly, keep students engaged, and adapt their teaching style to meet individual needs.

The Power of Observation
Machado emphasizes that you don’t have to physically attend classes to study great teachers, especially in today’s digital age. Platforms like YouTube offer endless opportunities to observe master teachers at work. He specifically mentions watching videos of Richard Feynman, the renowned physicist and educator, as an excellent way to see top-tier teaching in action. Feynman was known for his ability to break down difficult subjects into simple, relatable terms while keeping his audience fully engaged through storytelling and logical progression.

By watching great teachers like Feynman, instructors can learn valuable techniques for breaking down complicated concepts and structuring lessons in a way that helps students retain information more effectively. Feynman’s use of metaphors, analogies, and his engaging storytelling style serve as examples of how effective teaching involves more than just relaying information—it’s about presenting it in a way that resonates with students.

Applying What You Learn
Studying great teachers isn’t just about watching them in action; it’s about analyzing their techniques and applying those methods to your own instruction. Machado draws an analogy from author Robin Cook, who wrote the medical thriller Coma. Before writing his first successful book, Cook spent 10 years analyzing over 100 New York Times bestsellers to learn how great authors engage readers. Similarly, Machado suggests that flight instructors can benefit from studying the works of great educators and then using that knowledge to develop their own teaching styles.

Machado himself used this technique when he wanted to improve his writing and instructional skills. He studied famous aviation columnists like Richard Bach, Len Morgan, and Barry Schiff to understand the elements that made their writing effective. Through careful observation, he identified five distinct qualities that they shared and used those insights to shape his own approach to aviation writing and teaching.

By applying the principles of great teaching, flight instructors can enhance their own abilities to communicate, engage, and motivate students. Whether it's how they structure lessons, use storytelling to simplify complex concepts, or foster a welcoming and interactive learning environment, these are skills that can be developed by observing and studying skilled educators.

Learning from Various Fields
Another key point Machado makes is that the concept of studying good teachers extends beyond the world of aviation. Instructors can benefit from observing great teaching in any field, as the fundamental principles of effective instruction are often universal. Whether it's in physics, literature, or even welding, good teaching always involves clarity, engagement, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the subject matter.

The idea is to look for excellence in teaching wherever it may be and apply those same principles to your work as a flight instructor. By observing how teachers in other disciplines keep their students focused, explain difficult concepts, or use humor and anecdotes to make lessons memorable, flight instructors can borrow these strategies to enhance their own effectiveness.

In summary, studying good teachers provides flight instructors with a blueprint for success. Whether by observing well-known instructors in the classroom, cockpit, or online platforms like YouTube, analyzing their methods can reveal important teaching techniques. By applying these lessons, instructors can improve their own ability to engage students, simplify complex concepts, and create a positive learning experience.

3. Talk Less, Teach More

Rod Machado's third recommendation for becoming a better flight instructor revolves around the idea that less talking often leads to more effective teaching. Many instructors, especially when starting out, have a tendency to over-explain, believing that more information means better learning.

However, Machado argues that excessive talking can actually hinder a student’s ability to grasp concepts, apply instructions, and retain knowledge. The key to effective instruction is providing clear, concise guidance that allows students to learn by doing, rather than overwhelming them with unnecessary words.

The Problem with Over-Talking
Machado explains that talking too much during flight instruction can be distracting, overwhelming, and even counterproductive. When instructors over-explain, it can detract from the learning experience, making it harder for students to absorb essential lessons. Flight training, especially in a cockpit environment, demands focus and mental clarity. Overloading students with excessive explanations can distract them from the task at hand, interrupt their thought process, and prevent them from developing critical skills through practice.

Instead of guiding students toward mastery, over-talking can cause confusion or overwhelm them with too many details at once. In some cases, students may even become dependent on the instructor’s continuous input, hindering their ability to develop independent decision-making and problem-solving skills, which are essential for becoming confident pilots.

The Opposite of Teaching is Magic
Machado draws an interesting comparison between over-talking instructors and magicians. While magicians use distraction to perform tricks and keep their audience from understanding how the illusion works, instructors who talk too much can inadvertently "distract" their students from understanding core concepts. A magician's goal is to hide the mechanics of a trick, while an instructor's goal should be to reveal and simplify the mechanics of flying—but excessive talking can obscure this process, much like a magician's sleight of hand.

In essence, Machado suggests that too much talking during instruction can have the opposite effect of teaching; instead of clarifying, it confuses students or keeps them from fully grasping what they need to learn. Effective teaching, in contrast, should involve providing just enough guidance to set students on the right path and allowing them to work through challenges on their own.

Clear and Concise Communication
To improve as an instructor, Machado advises adopting a "talk less, teach more" mindset. This involves delivering information in short, digestible chunks, ensuring the message is understood, and then stepping back to let the student apply the lesson. Clear, concise communication allows students to focus on what really matters and gives them the opportunity to think critically and solve problems independently.

Machado shares an example from his own experience. He describes a scenario in which students were divided into two groups for pre-solo flight instruction. One group used headsets and intercoms, allowing for constant communication with the instructor, while the other group received instruction the old-fashioned way—using hand signals and very short sentences without headsets. Interestingly, the students without headsets soloed in about 15% less time than those who had constant verbal input from their instructors. This suggests that limiting communication forced students to think and act more independently, accelerating their learning process.

Machado also reflects on how flight students in the past were often able to solo in 10 to 12 hours of training in taildraggers, compared to modern students who sometimes require 25 to 35 hours. He attributes part of this increase to the way instructors communicate today—more talking doesn’t always translate to better instruction or faster progress. In fact, the overuse of headsets and constant verbal feedback may actually slow down the process of learning critical skills.

Allowing Space for Practice
Another key element of the “talk less, teach more” approach is giving students the space to practice without continuous input. After providing instructions, it’s important to let students implement what they’ve learned without interruption. This hands-off approach not only reinforces learning but also builds confidence, as students gain experience in making decisions on their own.

Machado suggests that once an instructor delivers their instructions, they should refrain from further commentary unless absolutely necessary. For example, if a student is practicing landings, the instructor should provide brief guidance before the landing attempt, then let the student complete the maneuver without offering constant feedback during the approach. Afterward, the instructor can offer constructive criticism and advice for improvement. This method allows students to fully engage with the task and learn through their own experience, rather than relying on step-by-step instructions in real-time.

The Power of Precision
Effective communication during flight instruction is not just about saying less; it’s about saying the right things at the right time. Precision in language is critical. Instructors should focus on delivering clear, actionable instructions that directly address the student’s immediate learning goals. By being more selective with their words, instructors can eliminate distractions and help students zero in on key aspects of flight training.

For instance, instead of offering a long explanation of how to perform a maneuver, an instructor might break it down into a few essential steps and allow the student to attempt the task without further elaboration. This approach encourages active learning and helps students internalize the lesson more effectively.

Trusting the Student’s Process
Machado's “talk less, teach more” philosophy is rooted in the idea that students need the opportunity to learn through doing, rather than relying on continuous verbal input from their instructors. This requires a level of trust between the instructor and student. By stepping back and letting students take the reins, instructors demonstrate confidence in their students’ ability to figure things out and make decisions—skills that are crucial for safe, competent flying.

The idea is to guide students to the point where they can handle situations independently, with the instructor acting as a resource rather than a constant voice in their ear. This autonomy builds a student’s confidence, allowing them to develop their skills in a way that will stick with them long after they’ve completed their training.

4. Teach Stick and Rudder Skills First

Rod Machado’s fourth recommendation emphasizes the foundational importance of teaching stick and rudder skills first when training new pilots. In today’s world of technologically advanced cockpits, with sophisticated autopilots and digital displays, Machado warns that some instructors may focus too much on cockpit management and technology, neglecting the fundamental hands-on skills required to fly an airplane. He believes that stick and rudder skills—basic flight control techniques—are the bedrock of aviation training, and mastering these should always be the first priority.

The Core of Pilot Training: Stick and Rudder Skills
At the heart of every good pilot's training are the essential skills involved in physically controlling an aircraft, often referred to as stick and rudder skills. This term describes the manual control of the airplane’s primary flight surfaces: the stick (or yoke), which controls the ailerons and elevator, and the rudder, which controls yaw. Mastering these controls is the foundation for developing a pilot’s instinctive and reflexive ability to fly an airplane under any circumstances.

According to Machado, teaching these core skills is critical for developing confidence and competence in new pilots. Without a solid grasp of how to manually control an airplane, pilots can become over-reliant on modern technology, which can lead to dangerous situations if that technology fails. Pilots must first learn how to “feel” the airplane and understand its responses to control inputs, so that they can handle a wide range of flight conditions without depending on automated systems.

Machado stresses that attitude flying skills—the ability to control the airplane’s pitch, roll, and yaw by referencing its position relative to the horizon—are at the core of stick and rudder training. Teaching students to rely on their senses and the airplane’s natural feedback, rather than instruments alone, instills the confidence needed to handle critical flight situations manually.

A Back-to-Basics Approach
In today’s training environment, many primary students are introduced to flying in Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), which feature glass cockpits, sophisticated autopilot systems, and digital displays. While these features offer many advantages, including safety and efficiency, Machado believes that starting new students in such aircraft can cause them to become overly focused on managing cockpit technology instead of mastering the fundamentals of flying.

Machado argues that, in many cases, these advanced systems can distract students from learning the basic stick and rudder skills necessary for controlling an airplane. Pilots who primarily rely on autopilot systems and glass cockpits without developing a strong foundation in manual flying may not fully understand how the airplane behaves in various flight conditions. As a result, when they are forced to manually control the airplane, especially in emergency situations, they may lack the necessary confidence and skills. To counter this, Machado advocates for starting pilot training in simpler, less technologically advanced aircraft, where students are forced to focus on the basics. This ensures that they develop a deep understanding of how to control the airplane’s attitude using visual and sensory cues, rather than relying on digital displays and autopilot systems. Only after mastering these skills should students move on to more complex systems and advanced cockpit technology.

Sensory Learning: "Seat of the Pants" Flying
Another important aspect of stick and rudder training is what Machado refers to as "seat of the pants" flying. This concept describes a pilot’s ability to use their physical senses—sight, sound, and especially the sensations they feel in their body while sitting in the cockpit—to control the airplane. This form of sensory feedback is essential for understanding how the airplane is behaving and making necessary adjustments in real-time.

For example, when a pilot feels a shift in pressure or movement in their seat, it provides valuable feedback about the airplane’s pitch, yaw, or roll. These subtle cues help a pilot maintain control of the aircraft without relying on instruments. Developing this sensory awareness is a key part of mastering stick and rudder skills, as it enables pilots to fly more intuitively, especially when dealing with challenging or unexpected conditions.

Machado stresses that modern flight training often overlooks this sensory aspect, particularly when students are taught primarily in aircraft with autopilot systems. Without the opportunity to experience and learn from these physical sensations, students may not develop the intuitive "feel" for the airplane that is so critical to safe and confident flying.

Confidence through Manual Control
One of the most important benefits of focusing on stick and rudder skills first is that it builds confidence in a pilot’s ability to handle the airplane in any situation. Machado has observed that many pilots, even those with advanced certifications, are sometimes afraid to fly their airplanes manually. This fear stems from the fact that they haven’t fully developed the fundamental skills required to predict and control the airplane’s behavior without the aid of instruments or automation.

Machado provides a compelling example from his experience: During flight reviews, he often covers the airspeed indicator on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and asks the student to make a normal landing. While this is a relatively simple task for a pilot with strong stick and rudder skills, Machado has seen many students struggle because they’ve become too reliant on the airspeed indicator for landing. In fact, he recalls hearing a pilot declare an emergency because his airspeed indicator failed—a situation that should not be considered an emergency if the pilot has been properly trained in attitude flying and sensory awareness.

According to Machado, every pilot should be able to approach and land an airplane safely without relying on instruments like the airspeed indicator. This level of confidence can only be achieved through thorough stick and rudder training. He suggests that flying by attitude, rather than by relying solely on instruments, should be a core part of every pilot’s skill set, and even believes it should be a required maneuver on flight tests.

Challenges with Modern Syllabi
One of the challenges Machado identifies in modern flight training is that many training syllabi have become bloated with irrelevant items, causing the basics of stick and rudder flying to be overshadowed by less important topics. Instructors and students are often pressured to cover a wide range of subjects, many of which are centered around cockpit technology and procedures, leaving little time for mastering basic airplane control.

Machado advocates for a more streamlined syllabus that prioritizes basic flight control over everything else, ensuring that students develop the skills they need to safely and confidently fly an airplane in any situation. He notes that many of today’s primary training syllabi are so packed with material that they "collapse under their own weight," making it difficult for students to focus on what truly matters in their early training: mastering the airplane itself.

Machado’s Stick and Rudder Flight Training Syllabus
In response to these issues, Machado developed his own Stick and Rudder Flight Training Syllabus, which focuses on the essentials of manual flight control. This syllabus is designed to provide students with the hands-on, practical training they need to master stick and rudder skills, ensuring that they are well-prepared to handle any flight situation. Machado even offers this syllabus for free on his website, encouraging instructors and students alike to prioritize the fundamentals of flying.

By using a syllabus that emphasizes manual control and attitude flying, Machado believes that instructors can produce more confident and capable pilots, who are prepared not just to pass a flight test, but to safely and confidently fly in the real world.

Rod Machado’s fourth principle is a call to return to the basics of flight training by focusing on teaching stick and rudder skills first. He argues that these fundamental skills—attitude flying, sensory awareness, and manual control—are the foundation of a good pilot’s education.

While modern cockpit technology has its advantages, Machado believes that over-reliance on automation can lead to a lack of confidence and competence in manual flight control. By prioritizing stick and rudder training, instructors can help their students develop the deep understanding and confidence necessary for safe, independent flying.

Enhancing Instructional Effectiveness for Flight Instructors

Rod Machado’s four principles—reading and asking questions, studying good teachers, talking less and teaching more, and prioritizing stick and rudder skills—are designed to significantly improve a flight instructor’s effectiveness. These recommendations are not just about becoming a more competent teacher, but about transforming how instructors engage with their students and how students absorb and apply critical flying skills.

Instructors who follow Machado’s advice become more knowledgeable, precise, and effective in their teaching methods. They learn to deliver instruction in a way that maximizes student engagement, retention, and practical application. On the other hand, students benefit from a more structured, clear, and confidence-building learning experience. They are given the tools to succeed not only in their flight training but throughout their aviation careers.

In essence, Machado’s principles aim to elevate the overall quality of flight instruction, helping instructors inspire and empower the next generation of pilots.

By adopting these strategies, flight instructors can enhance their own effectiveness and significantly improve the learning outcomes for their students, ultimately producing safer, more skilled, and more confident pilots.

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