Rod Machado's 40-hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School

For US FAA private pilot licence training: This online ground school prepares you for the United States FAA Private Pilot Knowledge Exam and covers US aviation regulations and airspace.

Rod Machado’s 40+ Hour Private Pilot eLearning Ground School

Get to grips with the theory behind flying with Rod Machado’s interactive private pilot ground school. Whether you are starting flight training, considering a flying career or refreshing your knowledge for a flight review, the course combines clear explanations, animation and quizzes to help you understand what happens in the cockpit.

Its 26 modules provide more than 40 hours of interactive ground training, with a depth of material comparable to a single-semester college aviation ground school.

Course features

• Meets the 2026 FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS).
• Created by Rod Machado, a flight instructor with more than 50 years of flight training experience. The course was authored and produced without AI.
• More than 1,200 FAA-style knowledge questions, with lesson reviews and comprehensive module quizzes to reinforce your understanding.
• Lifetime access, with course content kept up to date.
• A graduation certificate and FAA knowledge test endorsement at the end of the course.
• Online viewing on Windows PCs, Macs, iPads, Android tablets and smartphones.
• Video downloads for offline viewing on iPad and Android tablets.
• Chrome or Edge recommended for the best playback experience.

Watch the course introduction

Accompanying PDF eBooks

For a limited time, the course includes the following complimentary PDF eBooks and syllabuses:

• Rod Machado’s Private/Commercial Pilot eHandbook.
• Rod Machado’s Private/Commercial Pilot eWorkbook.
• Rod Machado’s How to Fly an Airplane (Private & Commercial Maneuvers) eHandbook.
• Rod Machado’s Plane Talk (Human Factors) eBook.
• Rod Machado’s Stick and Rudder Flight Training Syllabus.
• Rod Machado’s Ground School Syllabus.

Topics covered

The course goes beyond exam preparation, providing detailed explanations to support your understanding in the cockpit. Topics include:

• Aerodynamics: The Wing is the Thing (3.9 hours).
• Engines: Knowledge of Engines Is Power (3.45 hours).
• Electrical Systems: Knowing What’s Watt (0.5 hours).
• Flight Instruments: Clocks, Tops & Toys (2.5 hours).
• Federal Aviation Regulations: How FAR Can We Go? (4.6 hours).
• Airport Operations: No Doctor Needed (2.45 hours).
• Radio Operations: Aviation Spoken Here (1.4 hours).
• Airspace: The Wild Blue, Green and Red Yonder (3.5 hours).
• Aviation Maps: The Art of the Chart (0.85 hours).
• Radio Navigation: The Frequency Flyer Program (1.9 hours).
• Understanding Weather: Looking for Friendly Skies (5.8 hours).
• Weather Charts and Briefings: PIREPS, Progs and METARS (3.1 hours).
• Flight Planning: Getting There From Here (3.2 hours).
• Airplane Performance Charts: Know Before You Go (1.7 hours).
• Weight and Balance: Let’s Wait and Balance (1.4 hours).
• Pilot Potpourri: Neat Aeronautical Information (2.5 hours).

How to access your course

Your course products are accessed through your secure, password-protected course account. Log in to find your modules and accompanying materials. Watch the access guide below, or open the course access video.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this course overlap with other Rod Machado courses?

Yes. This course includes material from the separately sold Understanding Airspace, Federal Aviation Regulations, Understanding Aerodynamics and Understanding Weather eLearning modules.

Is a knowledge test endorsement included?

Yes. A graduation certificate is provided near the end of the course in the Pilot Potpourri module. This also serves as your FAA knowledge test endorsement. Complete the required information, print the certificate and take it to your exam appointment.

Will my access expire?

No. Once you register your login credentials, your course access does not expire.

Can I share the course?

No. The course is licensed for your personal use and must not be shared. For access for multiple learners, contact the course provider about bulk course options.

Which devices can I use?

You can view the course online on a Windows PC, laptop, Mac, iPad, Android tablet or smartphone. Use your login details to access it from more than one computer or device. Video downloads for offline viewing are available only on iPad and Android tablets.

Can I read the eBooks on my device?

Yes. The accompanying eBooks can be transferred to any device you own that supports PDF files

How can I check compatibility?

Try the course demo before you begin. Chrome or Edge is recommended for playback; the course provider recommends Chrome rather than Safari or Firefox.

Does the player remember my progress?

Yes. The player uses browser cookies to remember where you stopped. Clearing browser data can remove your saved position, so make a note of your place before clearing your cache or cookies.

Why is the course more than 40 hours long?

It is designed to develop a broad understanding of private pilot ground-school subjects, rather than focus solely on passing the knowledge exam. The detailed explanations support both exam preparation and practical flight training.

Are my test scores tracked to decide when I am ready for the exam?

No. This is a self-study course and does not provide a score-tracking service that determines exam readiness. Use the intermediate quizzes and comprehensive module quizzes to identify topics you need to review before moving on. Work through every module and revisit areas where your understanding needs strengthening.

Course provider’s refund terms

The following wording is retained from the course provider’s original description:

If you've had this course for less than 10 days and haven't downloaded any of the accompanying ebooks or videos, then contact me to discuss a refund. Based on the video and eBook downloads I provide upfront, I cannot--CANNOT!--offer a refund beyond these stipulations. Refunds are not offered on any eCourse purchased with a discount code/link.

Course production

The course was authored, illustrated, animated, assembled and produced by Rod Machado. Main narration is by Rod Machado, with portions narrated by Captain Philip E. Hewitt and comedic impressionist Alec Cody. Rod Machado is responsible for any errors in the course.