MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR(S)
Steve + Harlee
Steve Mitchell is a retired Naval Officer and certified flight instructor (CFI) with over 700 flight hours, specializing in tailwheel training and endorsements. With instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings, he brings a wealth of experience to pilots looking to refine their stick-and-rudder skills.
Having flown since 2013, Steve has dedicated over 200 hours specifically to Citabria tailwheel aircraft, making him one of the top instructors in San Diego County for pilots seeking mastery in taildragger flying. He is a longtime San Diego resident and an active volunteer at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and is on the Board of Directors of the Antique Aircraft Association, furthering his commitment to aviation education and history.
Whether you’re an experienced pilot, airline captain, military aviator, or private pilot looking for a tailwheel endorsement, Steve provides top-tier, hands-on training at Gillespie Field in El Cajon, CA.
Who Do We Train?
OR ARE YOU READY TO TAKE FLIGHT NOW?
WHO CHOOSES TO FLY WITH BLUE MAX AVIATION?
PRIVATE PILOTS
Take your stick-and-rudder skills to the next level with tailwheel instruction in a Citabria GCBC at Gillespie Field Airport in El Cajon. Whether you're looking to enhance your precision landings, gain better rudder control, or expand your flying capabilities, this training is for you.
Tailwheel Training: Master ground handling, takeoffs, and landings in a responsive taildragger aircraft.
Tailwheel Endorsement: Not a paid certification—earned through skill development and proficiency.
One-on-One Flight Instruction: Personalized coaching from a certified flight instructor (CFI) with over 200 hours of tailwheel experience.
If you're a private pilot looking to refine your flying skills or expand into backcountry flying, now is the time to train.
ACTIVE + RETIRED AIRLINE PILOTS
As an airline pilot, you understand the importance of precision and control. Tailwheel flying enhances your stick-and-rudder proficiency, bringing you back to the fundamentals of flying. Many retired and active airline captains have trained with us to sharpen their hand-flying skills and take on new challenges.
Taildragger Training: Get hands-on experience in a classic, responsive aircraft.
Tailwheel Flight Training: Strengthen your pilot instincts with a more direct connection to the aircraft.
Flight Mastery: Hone crosswind landing techniques and rudder coordination in a taildragger.
If you’re looking to rediscover the joy of hand-flying, this is your chance.
MILITARY PILOTS
Whether you’re an active-duty pilot or a retired military aviator, our tailwheel instruction offers a chance to refine your low-speed handling skills in a Citabria GCBC - an aircraft known for its agility and challenge.
Tailwheel Endorsement: Earned through expert instruction, not a set fee.
Advanced Stick-and-Rudder Training: Sharpen your instinctual flying techniques.
Perfect for Transitioning to General Aviation: Maintain and refine your flying skills in a dynamic new way.
Join the ranks of military-trained aviators who have expanded their skill set with tailwheel flight training.
READY TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT?
Why Train with STEVE Instead of a Larger Flight School?
READY TO FLY NOW?
BETTER TRAINING. EXPERT RESULTS.
TRAIN WHERE THE PROS TRAIN
Airline Captains & Military Pilots Choose Steve.
Steve has worked with retired and active airline pilots, military aviators, and private pilots looking to refine their stick-and-rudder skills. If seasoned professionals trust him with their advanced training, you can be sure you’re learning from the best.
TRAIN 1-ON-1
No Cookie-Cutter Training.
At larger flight schools, you’re just another student in a high-volume training pipeline. With Steve, every session is personalized, ensuring faster skill development with a direct focus on your individual strengths and weaknesses.
TRAIN IN A REAL TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE
Not a Worn-Out School Trainer.
Larger schools often use overworked, outdated aircraft that don’t reflect real-world flying conditions. At Blue Max Aviation, you train in a well-maintained, high-performance Citabria GCBC, a plane designed for tailwheel mastery, backcountry flying, and aerobatics.
TRAIN WITH A RETIRED NAVAL OFFICER
Expert-Level Instruction. No Shortcuts.
Steve isn’t just any instructor - he’s a retired Naval Officer with over 700 flight hours, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings, and 200+ hours of dedicated tailwheel experience in Citabria GCBC aircraft. His military background means precision, discipline, and mastery - no shortcuts, just expert-level instruction.
READY TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHT?
FLIGHT SCHOOL SERVICES
TAILWHEEL TRAINING + ENDORSEMENTS
HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR SERVICES?
TAILDRAGGER INSTRUCTION + TRAINING
Master tailwheel flying with expert taildragger instruction at Gillespie Field in San Diego. Whether you're a private pilot, airline captain, or military aviator, this tailwheel training will refine your stick-and-rudder skills, improve your rudder coordination, and help you transition smoothly into taildragger aircraft.
Personalized Tailwheel Instruction: One-on-one coaching in a Citabria GCBC, a high-performance aerobatic-capable tailwheel aircraft.
Tailwheel Flight Training: Learn proper ground handling, takeoff techniques, three-point and wheel landings, and crosswind corrections.
For Private & Commercial Pilots: Perfect for general aviation pilots, backcountry flyers, and professional aviators looking to expand their skill set.
If you're ready to train with a top-tier instructor and become proficient in taildragger flying, this is the place to do it.
TAILDRAGGER ENDORSEMENT
A Tailwheel Endorsement is not a paid certification—it is earned through hands-on training and demonstrated proficiency. The FAA requires tailwheel-specific instruction to ensure pilots can safely handle the unique characteristics of a taildragger aircraft.
Not Just a Checkride: The endorsement is given when you meet FAA standards, ensuring real-world competency.
FAA-Compliant Training: Learn essential skills like proper rudder control, ground handling, takeoff techniques, and landing precision.
Master Tailwheel Handling: Train with an experienced Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with over 200 hours of Citabria tailwheel experience.
Many pilots earn their tailwheel endorsement in as little as 5-10 hours, but training time varies based on individual progress. We’ll work with you until you are fully competent and confident in tailwheel operations.