5 Lessons from my Kitfox / Tailwheel / Backcountry Training

[@craigsanders6925]

I had a light pair of hiking boots on my first tailwheel lesson, got the same comment. :) I'm really enjoying the training. Practicing one wheel crosswind landings and taxiing down the runway on one wheel was wild.

[@markstoll9636]

your content is really really good. and you are really good at explaining. for example, it never really occurred to me that fighter jets and commercial airlines have a high moment of inertia.

[@Joe_Not_A_Fed]

Vids like yours are what have inspired me to get current again after way too damned long out of the saddle. Your enthusiasm is contagious. You're a natural at this stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Well Joe, yours are my favorite comments. Congrats on getting back in the saddle!

[@nafod32]

Best YT name Ive seen in a long time!!

[@kenthigginbotham2754]

LOVE THE HUMBLENESS!!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

*blush* ;)

[@steven2145]

Are you sure you were an F15 pilot??

[@genecalkins4555]

You are in for a great adventure, take your time and do not try short cuts, as it will cause you to do it over... I have built two Kitfoxs and I have over 700 hrs in the Kitfoxs Have fun..

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

No shortcuts here. I want as safe and long-lasting airplane as my inexperienced hands can build. I'm envious of your experience. Thanks for the comment!

[@tryonco]

Very insightful... super to learn some details about tailwheel techniques and characteristics. Thank you.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

You're welcome! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for the comment, Trent

[@vernerradialkitfox4083]

I flew that exact plane with Leon a year ago. Great experience.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

This was almost exactly a year ago. We must had just missed each other. Leon is a great instructor and that Kitfox was fun! So easy to start the Rotax.

[@jimjam623]

That’s wild! Prep training for back country flying behind the drag curve in a F-15 😂🤙 Stick & Rudder are great aren’t they?! They definitely helped validated in my wife’s mind the decision to build a Kitfox Super Sport. Awesome debrief points on some of the transition training differences between light and heavy aircraft too. You’ll soon get a feel - and a kick out of side-slipping into the flare - kissing a grass runway with the upwind wheel is so deeply satisfying somehow. Looking forward to following your Rans build!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Awe man, you make that sound great! Thanks for the comment. Yeah I wouldn’t recommend renting an F-15 to prep for backcountry tailwheel 🤣🤣 But I’d be dumb not to lean on the (few) similarities. Cheers!

[@21rriley]

My tail wheel instructor flew in socks!! I tried it and was sold!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

No kiddin?! Depending on how sharp the grip/weight holes are in my rudder pedals, I may just give it a go! 🧦

[@Rocketeer6]

You’re living the dream!!!

[@Project2Aero]

Looks like lots of fun! Can’t wait to see your 21 come together sir👍

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Hey Josh! Me too haha. Love your vids and attention to detail. Don’t watch my videos too close ;) I’m thinking I’ll just wrap up each major section in an episode so I’m not overwhelmed. I’m staying completely stock with a boring Titan engine. Love that guys like you are pushing the limits. Cheers my friend

[@Project2Aero]

@@CLEAREDDIRECT Thanks man, I’m gonna have to take some video tips from you I guess.. my kids are telling me I “sound bored” on mine.. lol Nothing wrong with the titan setup👍 It’ll prolly let you pass me up and be flying before me!

[@SuperAero]

Nice man! Looks like you had a great time! Can’t wait to see how the build goes!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Sure did. Thanks for the comment!

[@Building4Him]

Hey there and hello. Enjoyed your kitfox vs Rans S21 Outbound video so much I suscribed and messaged Rans to order my kit. Haven't sent my deposit yet but getting to it soon. I'm still a student pilot and have yet to finish my PPL. I am falling for this plane and will be watching your work proceed. Great work and keep it going. JC

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks James! And good work on the eventual PPL. Glad to have you onboard! Man, the S-21 is so fun to build!

[@davearnold1233]

Great video again! I own 2 pair of Xero shoes, the next best thing to being barefoot. You will be able to feel everything but have some grip at the same time.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

I just checked them out and will be ordering a pair. Thanks so much for the tip, Dave!

[@jimk9290]

Good 'tude, boss!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks, Jim!

[@Stpilot]

Good review!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment.

[@kevinm3037]

When did you go out? I was there with Paul and Leon at the end of April. Great experience and great people at Stick and Rudder!!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

April 20-23. Probably you just missed me! Great times and instructors for sure!

[@kevinm3037]

@@CLEAREDDIRECT I was the one right after you! Great place.

[@Utahforrest]

Your content is awesome, man! Your channel is going to blow up. I have a kit [bush] plane arriving in the fall and I’m wrapping up my private pilot currently. Now that you’ve done your tailwheel endorse at Kitfox would you recommend that program/plane for the training? My goal will be to get my Tailwheel endorsement before my kit arrives as well. Congrats on the S-21!!

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Thanks, Forrest! Which plane will you be building? Yeah the Kitfox was awesome for training. That injected Rotax started like a champ even when hot. Stick & Rudder was amazing. Lots of great fields with varying difficulty to train on. It’s definitely not cheap tho…!

[@Utahforrest]

@@CLEAREDDIRECT Awesome! I actually might do a little reveal video for the kit I’m selecting just like you did. I loved the comparisons you did in your selection. So keeping it under wraps for now! :)

[@andrewellis4991]

how do you feel about building the plane in a 2-car garage like yours? I have a similar sized garage and I thought it would be too tight.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

No issues whatsoever! I’ve been pleasantly surprised. It does force me to keep things tidy which is nice. Many completed parts get stored under kids’ beds

[@Captndarty]

Which Rotax did you fly in the Kitfox? If it was the 915 how’d you like it compared to the Outbound demo?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

I saved money by flying the 912iS. I definitely didn’t need the 915iS or STi wing on that pretty red Kitfox. The 100hp was just fine for the two of us big guys, full fuel, no baggage, cool days. I’ll be glad to have the extra horsies in my Titan (at least below 10K’)

[@joelmiller569]

Greenleaf!

[@justinparker7795]

why are you giving instriction ?

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Wut

[@justinparker7795]

3:15, get ya some hiking BOOTS , what you going to a dance?

[@steilkurbler4973]

You don't want to fly with climbing shoes, trust me 😂. For real, they are pretty stiff and you basically stuff your feet into them. They are pretty much only made for climbing, even walking isn't much fun. Shoes for skateboarding on the other hand I found to be good, since you need to feel your skateboard and therefor they aren't too thick or stiff.

[@CLEAREDDIRECT]

Great point. Thanks!