Owner Aircraft
Pitts Special (S-1, S-2A, S-2B, S-2C)
Aerobatic biplane transition, blind-sight-picture slip approaches, high-energy runway directional control, and insurance checkouts—in your Pitts or our 1987 Pitts S-2B.
FAA Part 61 Course · Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) · Los Angeles, CA
Advanced Tailwheel & STOL Instruction (Owner Aircraft) in Los Angeles — Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)
Own a tailwheel, aerobatic biplane, backcountry, or STOL airplane? Train 1-on-1 with FAA Certified Flight Instructors who are proficient and current across the Pitts Special, Kitfox, Maule, Citabria, Super Decathlon, Just Aircraft Highlander, Zenith, and classic taildraggers—at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) or your home airport.
Enroll or Schedule at KVNY Book a Discovery Flight Call 818-516-8010
Online discovery flight bookings are handled by our sister company, Fly Over LA.
Own a tailwheel, aerobatic biplane, backcountry, or STOL airplane? Train 1-on-1 with FAA Certified Flight Instructors who are proficient and current across the Pitts Special, Kitfox, Maule, Citabria, Super Decathlon, Just Aircraft Highlander, Zenith, and classic taildraggers—at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) or your home airport.
CredentialOwner Aircraft Transition, Insurance Checkout, BFR & 14 CFR 61.31
Typical HoursCustomized to Your Mission & Insurance Requirements
TimelineFlexible Daily or Intensive Multi-Day Blocks
RateCustom Owner-Aircraft Dual Instruction Rate
Flight Training Curriculum at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)
Every flight lesson in our Advanced Tailwheel & STOL Instruction (Owner Aircraft) program is conducted 1-on-1 with an FAA Certified Flight Instructor out of Hangar J5 at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), giving you hands-on mastery in real Los Angeles airspace:
- Make-and-model transition training and aviation insurance named-pilot checkout requirements (5, 10, 15, or 25+ hour programs)
- Precision three-point full-stall landings and two-point wheel landings in calm and gusty crosswinds
- STOL (Short Takeoff & Landing) techniques: high-lift flaperon/slat handling, slow-flight pitch/power coordination, and spot landings
- Short-field, soft-field, unimproved strip, and mountain/canyon energy management
- Option to warm up in The Flight Academy's 1940 Piper J3 Cub or 1987 Pitts S-2B at KVNY before transitioning into your own airplane
Ground School & Checkride Preparation
Our structured ground instruction prepares you thoroughly for both your FAA Knowledge Test (when applicable) and your practical oral and flight evaluation:
- Make-and-model tailored ground instruction covering your aircraft's POH/flight manual, weight and balance envelope, high-lift STOL wing/flaperon/slat aerodynamics, backside-of-the-power-curve energy management, density altitude, and ground-loop prevention.
- Satisfies your aviation insurance make-and-model transition requirements, earns your 14 CFR 61.31(i) tailwheel endorsement or Flight Review (BFR) if needed, and gives you total stick-and-rudder command of your own tailwheel or STOL aircraft.
Tailwheel, STOL & Aerobatic Biplane Models We Teach In
Our instructors are proficient and current in a wide range of owner-flown taildraggers and STOL aircraft:
Owner Aircraft
Kitfox (All Series & STOL)
Light wing-loading, flaperon/STOL handling, backside-of-the-power-curve speed control, and Experimental transition.
Owner Aircraft
Maule (M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7)
High-performance backcountry STOL, oleo/spring gear management, and short/soft-field mastery.
Owner Aircraft
Citabria & Super Decathlon (7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 8KCAB)
Stick-and-rudder coordination, wheel vs. 3-point landings, crosswinds, and upset/aerobatic confidence.
Owner Aircraft
Just Aircraft Highlander & SuperSTOL
Leading-edge slats, big-tire/bush energy management, and steep short-field approaches.
Owner Aircraft
Zenith (STOL CH 701, CH 750, Super Duty) & More
High-lift STOL aerodynamics, plus Piper J-3/Super Cub (PA-18), Cessna 120/140/170/180/185 Skywagon, Aviat Husky, Carbon Cub, Vans RV taildraggers, Luscombe, Taylorcraft, and Stinson.
How Much Does Advanced Tailwheel & STOL Instruction (Owner Aircraft) Cost?
Custom Owner-Aircraft Dual Instruction Rate (Call 818-516-8010 to Schedule With a Tailwheel/STOL Specialist). Train pay-as-you-go or save with 10-hour block rates—no big upfront loans. See rental & block rates.
Advanced Tailwheel & STOL Instruction (Owner Aircraft): Frequently Asked Questions
Which tailwheel, STOL, and biplane aircraft models are your instructors proficient and current in?
Our tailwheel, aerobatic, and STOL specialist instructors are proficient and current across a wide range of conventional-gear, backcountry, and biplane aircraft—including the Pitts Special (S-1, S-2A, S-2B, S-2C), Kitfox (all series & STOL), Maule (M-4, M-5, M-6, M-7, MX-7), American Champion Citabria (7ECA, 7GCAA, 7GCBC), Super Decathlon (8KCAB), Just Aircraft Highlander & SuperSTOL, Zenith (STOL CH 701, CH 750, Super Duty), Piper J3 Cub & Super Cub (PA-18), Cessna 120/140/170/180/185 Skywagon, Aviat Husky, CubCrafters Carbon Cub, Vans RV taildraggers, Taylorcraft, Luscombe, and Stinson.
Do you provide transition training and insurance checkouts in owner-flown Pitts Special biplanes?
Yes! We have deep instructional experience in the Pitts Special family (S-1, S-2A, S-2B, and S-2C) and operate our own 260 HP 1987 Pitts Special S-2B right at Hangar J5 at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY). Whether you need an aviation insurance checkout in your two-seat Pitts S-2A/B/C or pre-solo preparation in our S-2B before flying your single-seat Pitts S-1, we teach curved slip-to-landing approaches, peripheral sight-picture cues, and high-energy runway directional control.
Can you complete my aviation insurance make-and-model transition hours in my own airplane?
Yes. Aviation insurance underwriters frequently require 5, 10, 15, or 25+ hours of dual instruction in make and model with a qualified CFI before solo coverage takes effect. Our instructors meet insurer tailwheel and STOL experience requirements and provide documented logbook sign-offs and transition completions.
Can I start in your 1940 Piper J3 Cub before flying my own tailwheel airplane?
Absolutely! Many aircraft owners choose to fly 3 to 5 hours in our restored 1940 Piper J3 Cub (or practice high-energy rudder work in our 1987 Pitts S-2B) at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) first so their feet are awake and automatic before transitioning into their own prized aircraft.
Do I have to bring my airplane to Van Nuys Airport (KVNY), or can an instructor come to my airport?
You can fly or base your aircraft at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) to train out of Hangar J5, or—by arrangement—our tailwheel/STOL instructors can travel to your home airport in the Greater Los Angeles Basin, Ventura County, High Desert, or Southern California.
Do you teach Experimental / E-AB tailwheel transition and Phase 1 preparation?
Yes. Experimental Amateur-Built (E-AB) taildraggers like the Kitfox, Just Aircraft Highlander/SuperSTOL, Zenith CH 750, and Vans RV have lighter wing loading, higher drag, and faster pitch/yaw response than legacy trainers. We specialize in transitioning pilots safely into experimental and STOL aircraft.
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Start Your Advanced Tailwheel & STOL Instruction (Owner Aircraft) at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY)
Speak directly with our FAA Certified Flight Instructors at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) or call 818-516-8010. Want to book a discovery flight online? Book on Fly LA Experience, run by our sister company, Fly Over LA.