Stick and Rudder Aviation

(408) 724-2759

1945 Clipped wing Cub 58920. Photo Credit: Carol Franger

For those looking to go a little faster, Stick and Rudder has a Cessna 150 and a Mooney M20C. Rates are very competitive. Give us a call at (408) 724-2759

Stick and Rudder's Flight Line

1945 Piper L-4, Clipped Wing 85hp N58920 $39/hr (wet)

920 is Stick and Rudder's first airplane, and more fun plane hasn't been invented. Used for both primary training and aerobatics training, 920 is a workhorse with nary a dissatisfied customer. Originally a U.S. Army L-4 observation/liaison aircraft, 920 was equipped with the Reed clipped wing conversion and a Continental Motors C-85 85hp motor. The L-4 windows were retained, making for excellent visibility.

1946 Piper J-3, 85hp N6115H $39/hr (wet)

15H is the first airplane Stick and Rudder students will fly. Slow, docile and forgiving, it gives the newcomer a feel for flight un-paralleled by any other aircraft. For the experienced pilot, 15H is equipped with a 12 gallon auxiliary fuel tank which doubles its range. It has been flown to San Diego, B_akersfield Mojave and Sacramento by Stick and Rudder pilots, in addition to it's duties as a trainer.

1947 Aeronca Champ, 85hp. N2982E $39/hr (wet)

Faster and roomier than the Cubs, 82E is becoming a favorite cross country machine. Additionally 82E sports auxiliary fuel.

1957 Cessna 150 110hp N7970E $42/hr (wet)

Our only tricycle gear trainer, 70E also sports radionav and mode C equipment, making a terrific machine for those trips into the bay area.

1966 Mooney M20C N9211V $80/hr (wet)

The star of the Stick and Rudder lineup, 11V answers the need for a fast, IFR equipped airplane with retractable gear and space for four. 11V is a lovingly maintained airplane and a good choice for those looking to build complex airplane time.

Tailwheel flying is more demanding than flying a tricycle gear airplane because the geometry of a tailwheel airplane's landing gear is less stable than that of a nosewheel airplane. Sound scary? Sound too tough for a beginner? It isn`t when you consider that hundreds of thousands of people learned to fly in Piper Cubs and Champs just like these. Learning to fly tailwheel is a lot like learning to drive a manual transmission: If you learn the manual first, it's simple to go to the automatic transmission later. Learn tailwheel first, and nosewheel airplanes are a piece of cake. It's no harder to learn from the beginning, and in the end you will be a better pilot. A Tailwheel conversion is an excellent way to do a biennial flight review or just brush up on your flying skills. Flight training time is not affected by the use of a tailwheel airplane. Conversions from nose wheel to tailwheel requires a minimum of ten hours.

Most schools don't teach tailwheel because the number of qualified tailwheel instructors has declined along with the number of tailwheel airplanes. Taildraggers have also gathered an undeserved reputation over the years as difficult to fly, so many schools shy away from them. At Stick and Rudder, Taildraggers are our specialty.

Aircraft Rates

• 1945 Piper L-4, Clipped Wing 85hp N58920 $39/hr (wet)
• 1946 Piper J-3, 85hp N6115H $39/hr (wet)
• 1947 Aeronca Champ, 85hp. N2982E $39/hr (wet)
• 1957 Cessna 150 110hp N7970E $42/hr (wet)
• 1966 Mooney M20C N9211V $80/hr (wet)

Instruction Rates

• Flight Instruction: $25/hr
• Ground Instruction: $20/hr

FAA regulations require forty hours of instruction and training before being tested for a license; in most cases a student is not ready until 50 to 75 hours have passed. The total cost is between $3000 and $4000 for a private pilots license.

Tailwheel conversions require a minimum of ten hours of training.

Aerobatics training

Stick and Rudder offers aerobatics training in the Clipped Wing Cub with Paul King, Chief Instructor.