About Us
Texas Stick & Rudder is an FAA Part 61 flight school based at Cleveland Municipal Airport (6R3), northeast of Houston. Since opening our doors in 2019, we’ve helped students and pilots pursue their aviation goals—from earning their first certificate to adding ratings and endorsements.
With more than 100 years of combined professional aviation experience among our instructors, we provide personalized flight and ground instruction for pilots at every stage of their journey. From zero to hero, our goal is to provide the knowledge, training, and resources you need to become a confident and capable aviator.
Our training fleet includes three Cessnas and a Piper Cherokee 140. We offer training toward private and commercial pilot certificates, instrument and ATP training, along with a variety of ratings, endorsements, flight reviews, and ground instruction.
Whether you're just beginning your aviation journey or working toward your next goal, we’re here to help you take the next step. Explore our training programs and discover what’s possible at Texas Stick & Rudder.
Our Programs
Private | Instrument | Commercial
Whether you're earning your first certificate, adding an instrument rating, or pursuing a commercial certificate, our experienced instructors provide the focused training to help you reach your goals.
Instructor - CFI & CFII
Take the next step toward becoming a CFI or CFII with experienced instructors who provide the knowledge, practical skills, and preparation needed for a successful checkride and a strong start to your instructing career.
Tailwheel & Spin Endorsements
Expand your capabilities with specialized instruction for tailwheel and CFI spin endorsements, taught by experienced instructors with a focus on developing safe, confident, and capable pilots.
Meet Our Team
Dustin Newell
CFI | A&P | IA | Air Traffic Controller
Dustin has been actively flying since he was 14 years old and currently has over 3,000 hours in multiple types of aircraft. With 30 years of Federal Service as a former U.S. Navy Aviation Electrician and a current Air Traffic Controller at Houston Center, Dustin is energetic and driven. His passion for aviation has been the inspiration and dedication behind starting Texas Stick and Rudder, which has been a dream for years and is now a reality.
Tom Street
ATP | CFI | CFII | MEI
With over 50 years of flying experience and over 36,500 flight hours, Tom Street is the epitome of aviation. Tom retired from SWA as the number one senior captain on June 2, 2017. Since joining Texas Stick and Rudder, Tom Street has consistently brought a passion and dedication with him each day; one hour of flying with Tom is equal to 10 hours with anyone else. His experience and love of aviation are surpassed by very few. We sure are glad to have him around!
Nicolas Meadows
CFI | CFII
Nicolas, Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Started his aviation journey at just 16 years old right here at the Cleveland Airport! Since then he hasn't looked back. He has an unmatched positive attitude towards flying and students, where every lesson is a joy, while emphasizing safety and responsibility. He adopts a professional yet welcoming Atmosphere to learning.
Kade Clark
CFI | CFII
Kade is an instructor with around 700 hours of experience. His favorite part of instructing is seeing students build confidence and reach milestones they once thought was impossible. He takes a practical, relaxed approach to training, while holding every student to a high standard of safety and proficiency. Outside of Aviation, he is pursuing his bachelors in business management, enjoys the gym, traveling, cooking, and coaching Swim. His long term goal is to fly professionally with his Dad!
Morten Hansen
CFI | CFII
Morten came from ice cold Denmark two years ago to pursue aviation, not only as a career but also as a passion. He has a strong emphasis on safety and quality of training. Morten is an outgoing and positive person who is always looking for ways to better himself. Outside of aviation, he enjoys spending time with his wife and dog.
Griffin Reid
CFI | CFII
BIO COMING SOON
Ray Faddis
CFI
BIO COMING SOON
Justin Cook
CFI
BIO COMING SOON
Greg Motl
CFI
BIO COMING SOON
Jeremy Fitch
CFI
BIO COMING SOON
RATES
AIRCRAFT
Cessna 172L, 172M & Piper Cherokee
$170 per hour — Wet
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Cessna 172K
$185 per hour — Wet
*Contact us to inquire about our 10 hour block pricing
INSTRUCTION
Flight Instruction
$60 per hour
Ground Instruction
$50 per hour
Primary Instruction
$75 per hour — Your Aircraft
$60 per hour — Our Aircraft
Tailwheel Instruction
$85 per hour — Your Aircraft
$65 per hour — Our Aircraft
Aerobatic Instruction
$95 per hour
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
Discovery Flight
$135
CFI Spin Training / Endorsement
$550 flat fee
Additional hours added if needed for deficiencies.
Ferry Pilot
$600 per day — Including expenses
EAA Young Eagles Flight
Free — Please inquire
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to the City of Cleveland's commercial rate policy, our aircraft are available only for instructional purposes, including the pursuit of ratings and certifications such as private, commercial, ATP, IFR, and TAA training.
