Airspace Memory Aid

[@BabelFish78]

Rod Machado is the Bob Hoover of flight Instruction; articulation, humor, intensity, and clarity. Legends like this only come once in a lifetime.

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you BabelFish78. Even to be mentioned in the same sentence as Mr. Hoover is an honor. Sincerely, Rod

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

Rod Machado your awesome man!! A funny, smart and cool pilot you are. Thank you so much for these hilarious yet very clear explanations

[@kaisondamon1461]

i know it is kind of off topic but do anybody know a good website to stream newly released movies online?

[@waytooslow]

This is saving my bacon as I get ready for written. Need more of these visual devices as prep, some of us are visual learners -- Thanks a million

[@thebestken]

All I can say is, I hate those cylinders that people showed me. You are a life saver. Thanks.

[@captgmorris]

I'm a student pilot and airspace minimums was one of my hardest things to learn until I saw this video. Memorized in less than 10 minutes. I suggests drawing the diagram multiple times until you don't have to look at it anymore. Thanks Rod!

[@robrichards3847]

I was having a great deal of trouble memorizing this specific topic until I found this video. I was able to duplicate the image from memory within a couple of minutes and used it to help me pass my written exam two days ago. Thank you for the help!!!!

[@Flight-Instructor]

Congratulations to you, Rob. I sure do appreciate the comment, too. I'm so happy this worked for you. Onward and upward!

[@charlesbecker3470]

I just came home from a flight lesson, on in this case a no flight lesson,(ground lesson), this air space triangle saved me, there is no way I could have learned this stuff just studying charts. We did air space tonight, getting ready for my checkride, I felt very confident answering all the air space questions, now I won't have that knot in my gut on checkride day, Thank You Rod!.

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you for that nice comment, Charles. I'm so happy this helped you. Best, Rod

[@randyvanvliet226]

The best, easiest way for visual learners to learn about airspace and visual requirements for cloud clearance.

[@sakumisan]

After drawing the triangle for a week, I can now mentally picture and figure out the minimums with ease. Thanks Rod! Another satisfied customer ;)

[@flyandlift]

Thank you so much.. before watching this video I honestly felt like it would take me years to memorise these requirements but after memorizing this memoric aid I can now say that I already know this topic, thank you!

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Andres: That's a wonderful comment and it means a lot me. Best to you, Rod Machado

[@paintraintn]

I take my written exam tomorrow morning, and THIS is the video I needed!!! Thank you!!!

[@Flight-Instructor]

Good luck to you, Brent! Best, Rod

[@paintraintn]

@@Flight-Instructor Thanks to you, and so many helpful pilots out there, I passed. Pretty pleased with my results too!

[@Bigfoot46555]

THANK YOU! I've been struggling with the subtle differences for various reasons. This makes me feel a LOT more comfortable that I understand it. Thanks again!

[@Flight-Instructor]

You are most welcome. I'm pleased you found this useful. Best, Rod

[@Arculus192]

Thank you Rod for kickstarting my adventure in pilot training, starting out on FSX has given me a good foundation for learning the fundamentals of aviation. It gave me a definite head start.

[@Flight-Instructor]

You are very welcome, Kevin. I wish you great success with your continued training. Best, Rod Machado

[@l44va]

Thanks Mr. Machado, I appreciate this. I'm a student pilot, and showed this to my instructor who was amazed! It's very helpful!

[@nathanieltrudeau5235]

This was the best thing I have seen. Made memorizing the airspace for the written super easy. Thanks so much!

[@chris-5]

Omg, after playing FSX few years, I’m so familiar with this voice, man real Rod instructor in FSX

[@justinz284]

This is the best video and memory aid for VFR minimums. Every other book/video I studied prior to this paled in comparison. Found this the night before the PPL checkride. Thank you Rod!

[@amandaherrera7004]

Exactly what I’ve been looking for. Take my written tomorrow!

[@brianb5594]

Excellent Rod!

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Brian. Appreciate it. Best, Rod

[@johnpro2847]

Thanx Rod ...you have been teaching me since early MS flight sim days , where I was often 'chastised '.

[@beepIL]

Rod you are a legend, love your material, some people were born to teach others

[@Flight-Instructor]

You are way too kind Mr./Ms. Beepil. I sure do appreciate that very generous comment. It means a lot to me. Best, Rod

[@la9482]

This was so easy! As a soon to be CFI, Im using this from now on! Thank you

[@remf4519]

Rod, you are the best - ask anybody.

[@Senseigainz]

I was taught this diagram back in 2007. Great memory aide.

[@Flight-Instructor]

Ah, it was in my book back in 1996. Thank you for that comment.

[@asplatt2030]

Thanks Rod. This is terrific; much simpler than the other charts that I have seen and definitely easier to remember.​

[@keithhopkins8593]

Excellent as always! It was very helpful for both Private Pilot and Instrument Training. It remains a great memory aid for everyday use as well.

[@Flight-Instructor]

You are so kind Keith. Please subscribe.

[@keithhopkins8593]

Rod Machado Yes Sir, I already am. By the way, I've been showing this to other pilots for a couple years (even my flight instructors) and am always surprised when they have not seen it yet.

[@hattrickpsh]

Thanks Rod! That simplifies things quite a bit

[@captainzeppos]

Proud to say I am one of Mr. Rod Machado's aviation "children". Learned to fly in sims 15 years ago by using Mr. Massado's lessons in MS Flight Simulator. 15 years later I'm still going strong, all because of that solid foundation and I'm still learning. Pretty sure that without those lessons I would have dropped that fantastic hobby ages ago.

[@billkoenig1869]

This is fantastic. Thank you so much Rod, you're the best!

[@ThickThock]

This is an awesome visual! I'm planning on using it on my Airspace test today =). Thanks Rod!

[@Nice-music585]

This is GENIUS!

[@robsteal3887]

That made it a lot easier to understand.

[@othmanothman2473]

I'm really excited with the method.many Thanks to Rod machado👏

[@MerryfaceAviation]

thanks rod! This is great. I can't use this particular pyramid here in the UK as airspace is slightly different here, but I can work on my own for my students. brilliant idea. thanks again to you and Mr. Timeter, Al Timeter

[@mikea6977]

I'll add your airspace jog to my collections and pass it along....it all helps; even me!

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Mike. I do appreciate it. Rod

[@A.Spiegler]

This was very helpful and easy to memorize, thank you!

[@alejandrodebasilio1606]

Thank you for this video. This is great! I'm still a bit confused about the ceiling of class G airspace. I thought it was 700 AGL around certain airports up to 1,200 AGL, but on this graph is goes beyond 1,200 AGL.

[@Flight-Instructor]

Greetings Alejandro: Class G can go up higher than 1,200 feet AGL where the floor of airways (Class E airspace) begin at higher altitudes. The FAA began removing these higher Class E floor several years ago, reducing all Class G tops to 700 or 1,200 feet AGL. Best, Rod

[@alejandrodebasilio1606]

@@Flight-Instructor Thanks for the clarification and Mach-1 speedy reply!

[@zone2Ironman]

Rod Machado wrote the book I studied for my PPL 20 years ago

[@hayhay7789]

Awesome video!

[@billervin5799]

And I've used it as memory aid for all my students for years,

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Bill.

[@floydsouth5770]

Very nice explanation

[@smwagh123]

wonderfully explained

[@paulette8729]

Perfect. Thank you so much for tour work!!

[@Flight-Instructor]

It's my pleasure, Paula. Thank you for that very nice comment. Means a lot to me. Rod

[@Totallyarealpersonbro]

Rod, I love you.

[@JoeCnNd]

F111 and c152 is a good memory exercise. F for five miles 1000 feet above 1000 feet below cloud and 1 mile horizontally. C152 is c as the third letter which is 3 statue miles 1000 feet above 500 feet below and 2000 feet horizontally.

[@Funraiser]

Thanks Rod for this very helpful video :)

[@pettsnjam]

This helped a ton! amazing

[@sagehill8991]

Sir, thank you. This is super useful.

[@kaylumsdee]

Such a helpful nmumonic!

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Kayla. Best, Rod Machado

[@PeterJCimino]

Thank you Rod!! Great video for learning this concept!

[@timgraham2537]

Excellent tutorial.

[@martinleicht5911]

Thanx Rod !! 🍺 😎 👍

[@BizJetTV]

Super video, thanks!

[@a320crew6]

Excellent vid! (please God, let me memorise that tri-angle)

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you!

[@bafee6496]

You save my life, appreciate!!!

[@VirtualTo]

OMG thank you so much!

[@thomastucker5686]

Rod I found you on flight simulator many years ago and decided you were my go to guy when it comes to learning about piloting an airplane. I used to spend two hours simulating what I was going to practice for the day before I headed to the airport. The only issue at the time was I was renting a 152 and simulating in a 172. It seemed close enough at the time. I would like to know the reasons for airspace rules, that would go a long way towards remembering. I have never actually discussed with anyone ever the reasons for the rules. I am watching this video for review. At 10,000 and above I must remain further from the clouds and have better visibility. I don't know the reason, but it makes sense to me that faster airplanes will be at those altitudes on IFR plans and without the clearance from the clouds, small slow airplanes would be in danger of collision. It is things like this I wonder but don't know the reasoning.

[@machinemanjr]

Thank you- very helpful.

[@newmanlord7130]

Hi Sir, I enjoyed the video Sir, Right thru the morning Sir, I have to go to the medical school class Sir.

[@احمدالعقيل-ز4ظ]

Very helpful staff

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you!

[@vittoriafiorentini8276]

😍 love you

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Vittoria. You are so kind. Best, Rod

[@naronwayne652]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

[@Flight-Instructor]

My pleasure, Aaron.

[@stephenyoungblood3683]

Mr. Machado, once again, a great tool and great presentation from you. I'm preparing for the CFI at this time so can I use this if I give you credit?!? Thank you

[@Flight-Instructor]

Greetings Stephen: Yes, of course, please use it. That's what I intended it for. Good luck on your CFI study, too. Visit my blog and read the piece on "Advice for the CFI Checkride."

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Jeremy. I deeply appreciate that very thoughtful comment. It means a lot to me!

[@BEACHYz]

I'm not sure I understand the additional 1000 Ft ceiling if touching BCDE airspace? Maybe you can add some clarification. If I'm in C airspace then it's C rules no? In C airspace ATC will tell us where to be anyway right? Is it just when I'm touching that perimeter then that the ceiling changes from 500 to 1000? Why wouldn't it just be C rules of 500ft? is it an additional 1000ft totaling a 1500ft ceiling or the ceiling just changes to 1000ft. I might be making this more complicated than it has to be,. : )

[@Flight-Instructor]

Greetings Jon: I describe this relationship in detail in my Private Pilot Handbook or my Understanding Airspace eLearning course (in case you're interested. See www.rodmachado.com). The fact is that "all" surface-based airspace requires a ceiling of at least 1,000 feet along with three miles visibility for VFR operations. The reason being that surface-base airspace is primarily installed at airport having instrument approaches with relatively low minimums or airports that once had instrument approaches with relatively low minimums. This allows airplanes on IFR approaches to enter the airport environment and have less of a chance of hitting someone operating with only one mile visibility and remaining clear of clouds. Hope this helps, Best, Rod

[@hefeibao]

Waaa, where was this when I was studying for my test. :-p They should hand this out to all new students.

[@TonyP9279]

Can someone please explain to me how to determine your distance from a cloud? How can you see clouds at night?

[@Flight-Instructor]

Greetings Tony: It's nearly impossible to accurately estimate your distance from a cloud. The question you really want to ask, however, isn't "How far am I from a cloud?" Instead, you want to ask, "What separation do I need from that cloud to prevent being hit by anyone exiting it?" Best, Rod Machado

[@randyvanvliet226]

@@Flight-Instructor Why the heck doesn't the FAA gurus write it in that manner, to really make the lesson positive? Instead of "Don't go less than 500 feet below a cloud, or less than 1000 ft above a cloud or less than 2000 ft laterally. " Seems the FAA is always trying to write questions to screw you up, instead of in a positive format. Like writing any sentence with a double negative. ""What separation do I need from that cloud to prevent being hit by anyone exiting it?" is so much more positive and educational.

[@ChugiakAK]

Hey Rod, Perhaps someone has already suggested this: How about making a batch of stickers of this graphic for sale? I would put one on my clipboard or even on my dash of my Kitfox!

[@yacahumax1431]

Thank you

[@arod1pilot]

Thanks it helps alot

[@ritchierich2820]

Just to add to this although you most likely won't be tested on it at night for class G if you remain within 1/2 a mile from the airport and under 1200ft AGL you may still operate as 1sm visibility and clear of clouds (:

[@randyvanvliet226]

Or request Special VFR

[@billervin5799]

Hey Rod, I've was using this when you still had an F-111 above 10K. I think I still have the book ;-)

[@Flight-Instructor]

Yep, it's in there Bill. Best, Rod

[@pilotactor777]

excellent

[@liamsullivan5783]

Thanks a lot, Rod! Is is possible that I could make a free downloadable file of your design?

[@Flight-Instructor]

Greetings Liam: I've added a link in the video description box that you can visit and find a download for that graphic.

[@liamsullivan5783]

Thanks!

[@immortal8034]

Thanks

[@saeedag4468]

great video,, should have hired me for the animation part :P

[@billroberts9182]

Thank you!

[@Flight-Instructor]

You are welcome, Bill. Glad you found the video useful. Best, Rod

[@LightSportMan]

Great video...

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, LSM.

[@stephen5147]

Very good. Thanks! Now do helicopters?

[@casapilotsaustralia3599]

Does this work in Australia ???

[@Flight-Instructor]

QZ: The airspace discussed here is ICAO, or international airspace. So it applies almost everywhere. However, we don't use Class F airspace very much in the US. And there are a few differences between us (USA) and other countries. Nevertheless, this is worth remembering. Rod

[@casapilotsaustralia3599]

Thanks rod. Im student piolet in Australia- we dont use class F.. it sounds very similar except cloud seperation here is in km or metres ...

[@refutedbeans7624]

Who else is watching this the night before thier written

[@fobypawz418]

this is a prime example of how complicated the federal government love to be with all these rules and regulations where we are left to try and make something simple and humanly digestable out of it!

[@billydward]

Holy shit it’s the FSX guy

[@chjadam]

very good. THX

[@davidjd123]

thank so much, and also 100th comment,

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, BushidoKi. And you are welcome, too. Best, Rod

[@Quinn_______]

Life saver.. Haha thanks

[@todrmf2]

thanks!!

[@tacticalbacon8064]

I just dont understand why the FAA must make this so complex Imo alot of this could be simplified down to 3nm 1k-1k-1k for all airspace surface to 10000 msl and 5NM 1-1-1 10000 msl - 18000 msl sure it would add more restrictions in some airspaces but it would add a saftey buffer and create a much better memory for airspace and just allow for special VFR 1nm clear of clouds in all controlled airspace the only change would be class G at night which can be just an increase in visibility required such a 5nm -1-1-1 Same with speed limits just make it one limit across the board Its almost as if its deliberately confusing

[@Not-a-bot222]

Just remember surface to 700’ class G is 1/2 SM clear of clouds. (Day) 1SM Night Truly the least amount of needed vis. (Helicopters)

[@Flight-Instructor]

Greetings Branden: You're reading the regulation incorrectly here. It's actually 3 sm night and 1 sm day for airplanes. The lowest allowed visibility for any general aviation "airplane" is one-mile, period! One-half mile visibility is never allowed for an airplane under any VFR conditions. The value of "one-half" pertains to the distance from the runway, not to visibility. Here's the reg excerpt. "(2) Airplane, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft. If the visibility is less than 3 statute miles but not less than 1 statute mile during night hours and you are operating in an airport traffic pattern within 1⁄2 mile of the runway, you may operate an airplane, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft clear of clouds." FAR 91.155 Best, Rod

[@Not-a-bot222]

Rod Machado oh okay, I’ll be honest I never noticed there was a difference for helicopters and fixed wing. I’m a helicopter pilot and still fairly new. Thanks for the quick response, the more knowledge in the tool bag is always better

[@paulcrooks4467]

Neat

[@jose20008]

Great

[@Flight-Instructor]

Thank you, Jose. I sure do appreciate it.

[@foryst]

I'm having flashbacks to FSX

[@adriankristovic3370]

"that's too much aileron"

[@jessest3602]

im so confused

[@daniel_ellery]

fucking legend

[@ItsAllAboutGuitar]

This proves my theory that people are getting dumber. None of my flight instructors are even close to the great Rod.

[@a.ah.3293]

Low voice as usual !

[@mikearakelian6368]

I should be watching ur video on cognitive decline/older pilots oops?

[@hippiewithacowboyhat]

Huh?