KITFOX OWNER / BUILDER

ADVANCED TRAINING FOR LICENSED PILOTS SEEKING PROFICIENCY IN A KITFOX

3

2 DAYS OF TRAINING

3

AROUND 6-8 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME

3

30-40 TAKEOFFS & LANDINGS

3

APPROXIMATE INVESTMENT $2800-$3500

OVERVIEW:

Kitfox owner training is designed for current tailwheel pilots only.

KITFOX BUILDERS

You know your airplane intimately.  You’ve spent a lot of blood, sweat and tears building it from scratch.  It’s taken months, if not years to complete.  However, you may not know the flight characteristics and how best to fly it.  The last thing you want to do is go bend your pride and joy.  Spending a day or two training with us is a priceless investment towards a safe, enjoyable, flying future in your Kitfox future flying your Kitfox.  We’ll not only offer to teach you how best to fly a Kitfox, but also guide & prepare you for your first flight, and the subsequent Phase 1 (40 hours or task -based) test flying needed to write the pilot operating handbook that remains with the airplane for the rest of it’s life.

KITFOX BUYERS

Have you purchased a factory-built Kitfox, or a gently used Kitfox?  Common sense as a pilot suggests, and often insurance requires, some hours of “Type” training (transition from what airplane you’re familiar). Type training is offered in our Kitfox only (with limited exceptions – known builder, or factory-assist build). After spending a day (maybe 2) in local front country “Type” training – consider immediately following up with advanced Backcountry training – the environment the Kitfox was specifically designed for.
If you’ve not yet bought a Kitfox, but are ready to get some “time-in-type” training under your belt, this is a great opportunity to prepare for your purchase (See Demo/1st lesson page).

 If you are seeking a Tailwheel Endorsement in addition to Kitfox Owner “type” training, please seek local tailwheel endorsement instruction FIRST, along with any currency requirements.
If you are building a Kitfox STi, and can’t find local tailwheel instruction we have a Kitfox-specific flight school referral:
We have partnered with a Tailwheel-only flight school in the San Francisco Bay Area (PAO) – “Next Level Tailwheel” – for “primary” (student-pilot) tailwheel training, tailwheel endorsements, and Kitfox-specific “Type” training.
NextLevelTailwheel.com.
Their great instructors will prepare you with backcountry skills BEFORE arriving Stick & Rudder Aviation for our multi-day, Wilderness Lodge overnight, “Backcountry Training Tours”. 
May through October – Idaho backcountry training can be scheduled to immediately follow your California “Type” training. 
(Only 1.5 hours away non-stop United airline from SFO to BOI).
If you are building a Kitfox Series 7 Super Sport, where it is preferential to mirror the performance and sight picture aspects of your build – Next Level Tailwheel has the mirror Kitfox you desire.

    WHAT WE FLY:

    STi version
    Series 7 Super Sport version

     

    POWERED BY:

     

    • STi (wing) version: Rotax 915 (141 HP) w/ manual-controlled MT constant-speed prop
    • Super Sport (wing) version: Rotax 916 (160 HP) w/ Manual MT prop

    INCLUDING:

    • Garmin G3x panels - auto pilot
    • “Stock Flight Systems" - Engine Monitoring Unit (EMU) 
    • Flight instruments presented in tape or analog (round gauge) format
    • Bose active noise-cancelling headsets
    • Airframes Alaska “Airstreak” bush tires & T-3 tailwheel suspension.

    DEPOSIT & CONTRACT:

    We require a $2,000 deposit for every week of training you reserve on our schedule.  Once we receive your deposit, we will send you a confirmation of your reservation.

    Your deposit is non-refundable if you cancel within 90 days of your reservation.  Should circumstances arise that you must cancel, we will courtesy hold your “TRAINING” deposit on account within our training season (ending about Thanksgiving due to snow covering the airstrips), in hopes you will attempt to re-schedule. Once you start your training, the deposit will be used towards your training balance.

    A signed contract is required along with your deposit.  Please include when mailing your deposit. 

    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

    WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?

    We are located at Emmett Municipal Airport
    Hangar #54
    37 miles (road) Northwest of Boise Airport
    Click here for directions

    WHEN CAN I COME?

    March through November are ideal as the weather is more predictable and the backcountry airstrips are generally void of snow. Please complete our contact form and include your proposed training window.  We’ll check the schedule and either confirm or offer availability options. Please give us plenty of lead time as we’re usually booked up several months in advance.

    WHERE DO I STAY?

    We’ve compiled a comprehensive “GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR TRIP” in hopes that you’ll have nothing short of a great experience both in the air and on the ground while visiting Idaho.  

    IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A KITFOX AND AN INSTRUCTOR TO COME TO ME?

    Yes, we gladly offer training from your home airport.  The following is a breakdown of costs:

    OUR KITFOX TO YOU:

    Ferry costs to bring our Kitfox to you: Flight time @ posted rates
    Kitfox rental for training (your home): Posted rates
    Instructor:  Posted day rates as ferry’s are multiple days

         Plus reimbursement for:  Lodging, meals, and rental car for the instructor.  (The same expenses you would have for yourself, if visiting us!).
         Plus reimbursement for any hangar or FBO ramp fees if needed for Kitfox security & protection while ferrying or during training @ your home. 

    KITFOX PURCHASED (new or used) ferried to your home base:

    Ferried @ Day Rate (if overnight)
    Plus reimbursement for:  FERRY fuel, hangar, FBO ramp fees, and maintenance (as needed), travel expenses.
    Plus reimbursement for:  Lodging, meals, and travel expenses for the instructor.  (Again, the same expenses you would have for yourself, if ferrying and follow-up training).
    This is a great option for those not able to take the time away from family or work, but would still like the opportunity to train with us.

    KITFOX BUILT (you’ve just completed the build):

    We can assist with the 1st flight and Phase 1 flight testing based on FAA and EAA guidelines (STi or Series 7 Super Sport versions only).
    No personal training is allowed within the Phase 1 (typically 40 hours and within 50 miles of your base).
    Same day rate and reimbursable expenses – as above
    This is a great option for those not able to take the time away from family or work, but would still like the opportunity to train with us.

    WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DISCUSS MY FUTURE TRAINING?

    Due to the high demand for our services and lack of cell signal in the backcountry, we’re typically unable to communicate via phone.  Please proceed to our contact form to submit your details.  

    HOW TO PREP FOR YOUR TRAINING:

    We ask that you show up prepared and motivated in order to get the most from your training experience.  Below are some suggested resources to help you prepare for your first lesson:

    LEARN ABOUT THE AIRCRAFT YOU’LL BE FLYING

    Kitfox Aircraft

    ROTAX ENGINES in our flight school fleet

    Rotax engines overview
    More Rotax engine videos
    915is Turbo
    915is Turbo (2)

    TAILWHEEL PROCEDURES

    Short articles on the How & Why:  The Taildragger
    Rich Stowell’s opinion (right on):  Tailwheel Transition Training
                                     Airfacts Journal: Why you must fly a taildragger
    Tailwheel Checkout Course (online): Learn Safe Taildragger Flying
    The Compleat Taildragger Pilot:  A must for any Tailwheel pilots library
    Learn to Turn: A Stick and Rudder Approach to Reducing Loss of Control


    READY TO SCHEDULE YOUR TRAINING EXPERIENCE?