Lead Instructor: Stacy Whitmore
Guest Lecturer (Weather & Forecasting): Jonathan Leusden
Two supervised, skills-focused weeks in world-class Monroe conditions.
Limited to 40 pilots per session. P2+ required. Every flight is supervised with structured coaching to help you fly safer, cleaner, and more confidently in mountain conditions.
Choose your week
Skills Fly-In #1 (Oct 5–10, 2026)
- Dates: Monday, October 5 through Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Price: $290
- Pilot limit: 40
- Registration link: Skills Fly-In #1
Skills Fly-In #2 (Oct 19–24, 2026)
- Dates: Monday, October 19 through Saturday, October 24, 2026
- Price: $290
- Pilot limit: 40
- Registration link: Skills Fly-In #2
Details that apply to both weeks
- Rating requirement: P2 or higher
- Flight operations: All flights supervised
- Checkout: WooCommerce + PayPal
What this is
This is not a race and not a free-flying week. It’s a small, coached event designed to reduce risk while building real competence in launch, air management, and landing decision-making in a mountain environment.
You should come expecting:
- Briefings and clear daily expectations
- Conservative, safety-first decision-making
- Coaching that helps you improve fast without “hero flying”
- A supportive culture that makes it easy to ask questions and get help
What’s new in 2026
You asked for the Skills Fly-In page to reflect the upgrades this year. These elements are now included in the program:
Video takeoff analysis
We’ll record and review takeoffs to help pilots build repeatable launch habits. Expect constructive feedback focused on:
- Pre-launch setup and checks
- Timing, commitment, and wing control
- Common failure modes and clean corrections
Fun games (skills-first)
Low-stakes, high-learning challenges designed to build confidence, accuracy, and decision-making without turning the week into a competition.
Kiting clinic sessions
Dedicated kiting blocks for:
- Strong-wind handling
- Forward and reverse control
- Micro-adjustments and energy management
Weather forecasting lectures + notes
Daily or near-daily forecasting briefings, plus short lectures on how to read Monroe conditions.
Notes provided by Jonathan Leusden so you can take the learning home and apply it.
Who it’s for
Good fit
- P2+ pilots who want structured progression and supervision
- Pilots returning after time off who want a safe re-entry path
- Pilots new to Monroe who want local systems and judgment support
Not a fit
- Pilots looking for unrestricted solo flying
- Anyone unwilling to follow daily guidance, supervision requirements, or weather/operations calls
Requirements
To participate you must:
- Hold P2 or higher
- Bring and use your own radio
- Complete written and video waivers inside Formsite (required)
- Follow daily flight supervision and operations procedures
What you get
- Supervised flying structure (every flight supervised)
- Daily operations and local site guidance
- Launch and landing coaching with debrief culture
- Video takeoff analysis and targeted corrections
- Kiting clinic sessions
- Weather forecasting lectures + take-home notes
- 2026 Skills Fly-In sun hoodie (included)
- A safer path to better mountain flying habits
- Local dining and activities coupon book
Typical daily flow (example)
- Morning forecast + operations briefing
- Skill focus for the day (launch, approaches, active flying, kiting, etc.)
- Supervised flight blocks
- Video review and learning points
Final schedule depends on conditions. Monroe can deliver exceptional flights, but we will stay conservative and make calls based on real conditions.
Location and local logistics
Monroe and Sevier County offer far more than flying: food, lodging, hot springs, hiking, biking, OHV, and family-friendly downtime between weather windows.
(Optional insert: lodging partners, where-to-eat list, and local discounts.)
Registration steps (how it works)
- Purchase your spot for the correct week using the registration button (WooCommerce + PayPal).
- After checkout, you’ll be sent to a confirmation page with the Skills Fly-In Registration Form (Formsite).
- Complete registration, waivers, and acknowledgements inside Formsite.
- CUASA Membership (select Red Rocks 2026) when filling out form and waiver. Month membership included.
Important: Your registration is not complete until payment + Skills Fly in #1 or #2 Formsite submission + CUASA membership form and waiver are received.
Waitlist: Once a session fills, registration will switch to a waitlist form. Pilots will be contacted in order if spots open.
Refund / transfer policy
- Refunds available until August 15, 2026, minus processing fees.
- After August 15, refunds only if your spot is filled from the waitlist.
- Transfers allowed to another pilot only with CUASA approval and completed waiver/forms.
Safety statement
Our primary concern in hosting these fly-ins is pilot safety. The structure and supervision exist to reduce risk while maintaining high-quality flying opportunities.