Reliable sync, complete backups, and accurate FAA endorsements — built for working CFIs.
Right Rudder is a student management tool built for working flight instructors. Whether you're running a busy Part 61 solo operation or managing students across a structured Part 141 curriculum, Right Rudder keeps every student's training record organized, current, and ready when you need it.
Flight training involves a lot of moving parts — ground lessons, flight lessons, stage checks, written tests, solo endorsements, cross-country signoffs, and the ongoing documentation that goes with all of it. Right Rudder brings all of that into one place, tied to each student's profile, and synced privately through iCloud so your records are on your iPad at the airport and on your iPhone in the briefing room.
STUDENT TRACKING
Each student gets a dedicated profile with their personal information, training history, and current status. Add a student in seconds — Right Rudder can pull from your contacts to fill in the basics. From there, you assign a checklist template that matches their training path, and the app tracks their progress item by item.
You see exactly where each student stands: which flight lessons are done, which ground topics have been covered, what endorsements have been issued, and what's still outstanding. No hunting through paper folders or trying to remember who's worked up to their first solo cross-country.
CHECKLIST TEMPLATES
Right Rudder uses configurable checklist templates that map to FAA training requirements. Each item in the checklist represents a task from the ACS or PTS, a lesson in a structured syllabus, or a regulatory requirement that needs to be signed off. You mark items complete as training progresses, and the app shows overall completion at a glance.
Templates are designed so you can build a training path once and apply it to every new student, rather than starting from scratch each time.
ENDORSEMENTS
Endorsements are a critical and legally significant part of flight instruction. Right Rudder lets you issue and record endorsements with appropriate wording, tied directly to a student's profile. Each endorsement is stored as part of the student's permanent record, and can be photographed or saved as a PDF. Camera access is used specifically for photographing signed documents — student logbook pages, printed endorsements, medical certificates — and attaching them to the right student record.
STAGE CHECKS AND SCHEDULING
Track stage checks and examiner appointments alongside lessons. See who has an upcoming checkride, who needs a stage check before progressing, and where each student stands in the process.
DOCUMENT EXPIRATION REMINDERS
Medical certificates, student pilot certificates, and solo endorsements all have expiration dates. Right Rudder surfaces these proactively so you're not caught off guard. Push notifications are used only for expiration reminders — no marketing, no engagement nudges.
PRIVACY BY DESIGN
Student data stays private. Right Rudder uses iCloud's private CloudKit container — your records are in your iCloud account, not on a third-party server. No accounts to create, no passwords to manage. Camera, contacts, and photo library access are used only as described: photographing documents, autofilling student info, and saving PDFs. No data is shared with third parties.
FOR WORKING INSTRUCTORS
Right Rudder is designed for flight instructors who understand that documentation is not optional. It doesn't replace your logbook or your judgment — it gives you a reliable system so nothing falls through the cracks between lessons.
Figuring it out slowly, but works great. Easy to see student progress at a glance and keeping students informed of their progress.
What's new in 1.9.3:
• Fixed checklist assignments not appearing in student profiles after creation
• CloudKit backup now includes lesson item progress, profile photos, endorsement images, and student notes
• Added debug log export in Help & Support for easier troubleshooting
• Improved sync reliability: retry logic, duplicate-sync guards, and parallel fetches
• Fixed FAA endorsement expiry calculations for A.5, A.6, and A.7
• Instructor account info no longer stored in UserDefaults (security improvement)
• General stability improvements across sync services
Version 1.9.3
The developer, Ryan Primeau, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
The developer indicated that this app supports the following accessibility features. Learn More
Supported Features
VoiceOver
Dark Interface
Sufficient Contrast
Information
Seller
Ryan Primeau
Size
7.3 MB
Category
Productivity
Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 17.6 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 14.6 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
