Core Values

Our top priority will always be safety! We will not cut corners or bend rules when it comes to the maintenance of our aircraft. We will not take off if the weather forecast is questionable. And we will not engage in risky behaviors in the air - whether they be flouting regulations or carelessly endangering those around us - including fellow aviators.

As one dictionary puts it, excellence is, “​the quality of being extremely good”. Of course, we cannot claim to be extremely good at everything, all the time…but we are striving toward that goal. Minimum standards are anathema to us, as is a “good enough” attitude. We encourage our students to aim for the same level of excellence!

We love flying and we love teaching. To us, this is sheer FUN! We also love helping others succeed - fulfilling a dream or achieving a goal. And we all perform best - and learn best - when we are enjoying what we’re doing. That means we’re all about making flying FUN for you, too! You’re going to have a blast.

Proficiency may be defined as, “a high degree of competence or skill; expertise.” The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are littered with this often-overlooked word. Take just one pertinent example - 14 CFR 61.31(i), which governs the requirements to fly a tailwheel airplane as pilot in command (PIC): “…no person may act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane unless that person…[is found] PROFICIENT in the operation of a tailwheel airplane.”

Many definitions of mastery exist, but here at Stick and Rudder School we are referring to a level of competence beyond proficiency. We require you to become proficient before we will sign off your tailwheel endorsement. But as instructors, we require mastery of our airplane, to instruct you effectively and keep you safe. Of course, we encourage our students to progress beyond proficiency to mastery as well! Landing a tailwheel airplane in light winds straight down the runway is step one. To achieve proficiency, you must be able to land in stronger winds, including gusty crosswinds. Mastery means sufficient skill and experience to handle wind conditions up to the design limitations of the airplane (when necessary), without hesitation.