01 How to use Rudder safely
Rudder is designed for short, focused study sessions on the ground — between flights, during preflight planning at home, or while reviewing for a checkride. Used this way, it builds the durable recall that supports good aeronautical decision-making.
- Study when you can give the app your full, unhurried attention.
- Treat explanations as a starting point — confirm anything important against authoritative sources.
- Use scenarios to rehearse decision-making, not as procedures to memorize verbatim.
02 Not a substitute for training
Rudder supplements — it never replaces — formal flight training.
Always defer to: your certificated flight instructor, current FAA publications and charts, your aircraft's POH/AFM, ATC instructions, and your own command authority as pilot in command.
No app can account for the specifics of your aircraft, your airspace, the weather, or the conditions of a given flight. When app content and an authoritative source disagree, the authoritative source wins — every time.
03 Content accuracy
We work hard to keep questions, explanations, and scenarios accurate and current, but aviation regulations and best practices evolve, and errors can occur.
- Content is reviewed against current FAA references and updated when regulations change.
- If you spot something wrong or outdated, use the flag (⚑) button on any question to report it.
- Reported items are reviewed and corrected; thank you for helping keep the community safe.
Remember: a correct answer in Rudder reflects general knowledge, not clearance to act. Verify before you apply.
04 The in-cockpit rule
This one is simple and non-negotiable.
Do not use Rudder — or any non-essential app — while operating an aircraft. Sterile-cockpit discipline saves lives. Study on the ground; fly the airplane in the air.
If you want to review during a long ground delay, do so only when it's safe, you're not responsible for the controls, and it won't distract from your duties or situational awareness.
05 Account & data safety
Protecting your account protects your progress and your personal information.
Prefer Sign in with Apple or Google, or a unique password you don't reuse elsewhere.
Security fixes ship with system updates. Running the latest iOS keeps your data safer.
Your tokens live in the iOS Keychain — a device passcode or Face ID adds a strong layer.
If you suspect someone else has your account, contact us immediately so we can help.
On our side, we protect data in transit with mutual TLS, store sensitive tokens in the secure enclave, and keep logs minimal. See the Privacy Policy for full detail.
06 Reporting issues
Help us keep Rudder accurate and safe for everyone:
- Wrong or outdated content — tap the flag (⚑) on any question, or email us with the question and what's incorrect.
- Security concerns — if you discover a vulnerability, please report it responsibly to the security contact below before disclosing it publicly.
- Account abuse — report suspicious activity and we'll investigate.
07 Healthy study habits
Streaks are motivating, but your judgment matters more than a number.
- Short, regular sessions beat marathon cramming for real retention.
- Don't sacrifice rest to protect a streak — fatigue is a flight-safety hazard, and a missed day is just a missed day.
- Take breaks; come back when you can focus. The knowledge sticks better that way.
08 Real emergencies
Rudder is not an emergency resource. In an actual in-flight emergency, fly the aircraft, follow your training and checklists, and contact ATC (121.5 MHz for distress). On the ground, contact local emergency services.
The scenarios in Rudder are practice exercises to build decision-making skills — they are not real-time guidance and must never be relied upon during an actual emergency.