Stick & Rudder’s new website look.

[DesertFox4]

I spend a little time each day going through our site sponsors websites looking for new items or services.

I just clicked on Stick & Rudder’s site (http://www.stick-rudder.com/) and found a totally new look. Lots of great info for those contemplating a trip to Idaho and flights in the most exciting backcountry aircraft and with the best Kitfox flight instructors available to man. Take a look.

Thanks for helping so many of our TeamKitfox members over the years discover how to safely get the most performance and fun possible out of these incredible aircraft.
Well done Paul.

[rv9ralph]

I just visited S&R new website. Looks great. It is worth a click.

Ralph

[efwd]

Nice update to the website. "Tailwheel Only" flight school. Hmmm. Apparently there are a lot of people building conventional gear these days. 2020, I will be scheduling a week of vacation for that "circuitous multi day backcountry" trip. Hopefully the weather is good enough to get current here in the next two months.

[Flybyjim]

Very nice update on the web-site

[Rik]

Nice site but $225/hr is STEEP.

[rv9ralph]

Rik,
You can go to Livermore California, rent a Cessna 172 for $180 an hour and pay an instructor $75 and hour, same as you are complaining about and what do you get. Basic instruction in a basic aircraft. I lived there, was based there and do not think they gave your the same quality of instruction as you would get at Stick and Rudder. Stick and Rudder gives instruction in the latest model of Kitfox in country you would not find in your area.

Ralph

[Rik]

Rik,
You can go to Livermore California, rent a Cessna 172 for $180 an hour and pay an instructor $75 and hour, same as you are complaining about and what do you get. Basic instruction in a basic aircraft. I lived there, was based there and do not think they gave your the same quality of instruction as you would get at Stick and Rudder. Stick and Rudder gives instruction in the latest model of Kitfox in country you would not find in your area.

Ralph

Ralph, all due respect but your trying to compare San Francisco Bay Area prices with Idaho prices.

I know it’s an off the grid kinda endorsement too but Bay Area CFI rates are not the same CFI rate in Idaho are they? I paid $70/hr (in Marin) years ago for my CFI and I was in a newish 172 with a glass panel and it is close to what S&R are charging in a KF.

Got my TW in a citabria and the instructor was only $50/hr so I get what your saying but it’s no where a fair comparison. He’s getting it b/c he can. Block rate in a certified aircraft is only $60/hr in Boise for the CFI.

[rv9ralph]

We are talking about specialized training. And yes CFI rates are high all over, if you haven't read, there is a shortage of CFIs.

S&R does specialized training. No other flight training establishments use Kitfoxes. For the builder/new owner, S&R is the only way to get qualified type training. As to S&Rs backcountry training, their fees are in line with other specialized training centers, in Idaho and other locations.

Ralph

[Esser]

Nice site but $225/hr is STEEP.

There planes take one of a beating being ab initio trailwheel training and back country flying. Do I think it’s expensive? Yes, I feel all flight training is expensive. Do I think it was worth the money? Absolutely.

It was a lot nicer to hit a fence post in the bank country with their plane instead of mine ;)

[DesertFox4]

CFI’s are not created equal. CFI’s with Paul’s experience that are still teaching are few. Training in the Idaho backcountry is available about 6 months out of the year. The desire from pilots that want to learn to fly into that demanding country is growing exponentially. CFI’s qualified to train to any kind of safe level is in the hen’s teeth catagory. Training in high performance STOL aircraft even more so. Good pilots recognize their own limitations. Some have no clue and end up statistics on a government chart. Stick & Rudder training keeps pilots out of government statistical charts. That’s good for all of us. Complaining about what the most successful new flight school business model in the last 25 years charges is ridiculous. Doing it on the open forum that Stick & Rudder helps pay to keep on line and free for all of us to enjoy is just ungrateful and will not be tolerated.


Pilots from all over the world come to Idaho to train with Paul and his instructors. We who are in the States are blessed to be so close and have easy access. Crikey, can you imagine what it takes to travel from Australia to
to train with S & R? That’s true commitment to bettering one’s self. No one is going to invest to that level to fly with a mediocre also ran flight school. They’re expecting something exceptional. They’re expecting the very best in the world, and they get it.

*** Now, if any of our members have contemplated flight training with Stick & Rudder, email soon because slots for backcountry training for 2019 are already filling. Those that require training before first flight of your newly or near finished Kitfox projects and/or require a tailwheel endorsement should also plan to email Paul ahead of time for available slots.

[Hockeystud87]

I'd be interested in bringing my plane to them and flying my model 4 with them for a week. Says the hourly rate for the instructor is 75. I could be up for paying that if they would train me in my plane.

[efwd]

I have a SS7 here so.....but Paul specifically told me, once my plane was finished phase 1 he would train me in the back country with my plane.

[Mcgaero]

I am one of those Aussies that have flown with Paul from Stick and Rudder and yes it's a fair investment but money well spent as far as I'm concerned.
You pay for what you get in most cases and you you get a first class, professional flying school that has left me with fantastic memories of the Idaho backcountry and feeling comfortable to carry out the first flight of my kitfox.
I am most envious of those who have the Idaho backcountry on their door step! It makes me want to wheel the kitfox into a sea container and send it to Boise for a summer;)

[David47]

Like Ben, I travelled to Idaho to fly with Paul L. I was very rusty from not having flown for a few months but Paul belted me into shape over 4 days of some of the best flying experiences I’ve had. He is a master CFI and knows the Kitfox and back country flying inside out. Imho, anyone coming up for their first flight should spend the money and head for S&R. It’s the best insurance you can buy, no matter the cost.

[efwd]

Not to mention, it is an absolute blast.

[Bartman1959]

I'd be interested in bringing my plane to them and flying my model 4 with them for a week. Says the hourly rate for the instructor is 75. I could be up for paying that if they would train me in my plane.




I went through Stick and Rudder when I bought my Kitfox 5. I hadn't flown in about 20 years, and only had a handful of hours in a tailwheel airplane. Paul set me up with one of his instructors, and we flew my airplane until I was competent enough for the endorsement. It was a great experience, and I wouldn't go anywhere else for training. I loved learning my own airplane.


Thanks Paul, Darin, and Gary.