If you recognize the need to improve your level of understanding and proficiency and agree with our Philosophy and Core Values, that’s a good start! But there are other good flight schools all across the country with similar attributes.

So why choose Stick and Rudder School?

• Location. We are based at Punta Gorda Airport (KPGD) in beautiful SW Florida, which means:

• Wonderful weather year-round. There are only a handful of days when we can’t fly for at least part of the day.

• Three runways, always allowing us to land into wind - or choose challenging crosswinds - as needed.

• Several public-use grass strips nearby.

• Varied airspace:

  • KPGD itself is Class D, with several non-towered fields nearby.

  • Several Class C airports within half an hour (including KSRQ and KRSW).

  • Nearby Special Use Airspace, including Restricted Areas and Military Operations Areas (MOAs).

• Allegiant flies direct from many US cities to Punta Gorda. Sarasota International (KSRQ - 60 miles) and South West Florida International (KRSW – 53 miles) are also close by.

• Rental Car facility, including Hertz, Avis, Enterprise and several others.

• Uber and Lyft available.

• Accommodation. We have all-inclusive packages in a picturesque setting to make your training a vacation as well!

• Experience. Our instructors have a total of over 9,000 hours dual instruction given, over a period spanning 40 years.