Dodds Flight School Rip off
Stu
"My name is Dodd Gross, I will teach you how to fly a kite, if you pay for
my air fare and everything else."
Don't bother coming back, your a rip off
My next kite will be a Prism!
Ex Friend
Stu
Dazzz
Stu <M...@gledz.com> wrote:
erm, thats a bit out of the blue isnt it?
Is there something you arent telling us Stu?
Dazzz
Rncembal
the globe dispensing knowledge like Johnny Appleseed. DO the math, how does he
make a living and keep his wonderfull wife happy? YOU can always buy a prism cd
read faqs and teach yourself to fly.I've been where his class was taught but
not taken it and in my years in the sport and online I do not recall a single
sponser of a flight school complaining about what they got for their money.The
people who paid for the course by a large percentage report a great experience.
Quality costs, decide don't whine. Rob
if it doesn't blow,it sucks;fly kites rob cembalest
Djskites
That Stu was a very nice guy and told me he had learned a lot so this cant be
the same guy, can it?????
If it is, what changed since then?????
I have had no contact with him.
I found a posting from Stu from the class under Flight School 2001 Pics
.<A HREF="http://Teejay1.fotopic.net/">http://Teejay1.fotopic.net/</A>
Like the pics TJ...Thanks for the nice comment against me :-])=Stu
But it only said he was a nice guy....
So man! What is this all about! And why did the poster feel they had to
sagatage my work, my Flight School!
Just for the record, Flight School is sponsored and requested by you guys, the
fliers.
I charge a modest fee, in most cases doesnt even cover travel costs as in the
case of the UK trip which only covered half the plane ticket, the other half
came out of my pocket.
And I wasnt there to promote my own kite, we used everyones kites!
Normally the cost of this class comes out to about $30-40 US for Two days of
instruction per person.
This prepay charge is there to help cover some of the costs, plus help ensure
that fliers will show up to the field.
I am not so sure this was Stu who posted, couldnt be the same guy.
I am not sure why "Stu" posted this post in this way, and I am not sure why he
felt he had to mentioned Prism.
Could there be a connection?
Just searching for the truth,
And thanks Rob, nice to read your posting, thanks..
See you on the tour, (well maybe not Stu......)
Sincerely
Dodd
Rick McDole
I'm not part of the "crowd" in here, but thought you might benefit from hearing the
experience of someone who's pretty new to dual-line, pretty new to this newsgroup,
etc. I've asked far more than my share of opinions, advice, etc. from a lot of the
knowledgeable people in here and on Dalnet #kites. Every time your name has come
up, I've heard positive feedback about your designs, your flying, your school, your
videos.... I don't think I'd get too worked up over one guy, particularly since
this one was venomous enough to suggest he's got a serious bee up his bum.
Stu: He's making a living doing stuff he loves...how dare he, huh? Get over it.
Just my two cents...
Rick McDole
Djskites wrote:
> Is this the same Stu that took my UK class?????
>
> That Stu was a very nice guy and told me he had learned a lot so this cant be
> the same guy, can it?????
>
> If it is, what changed since then?????
> I have had no contact with him.
>
<snip>
Djskites
up, I've heard positive feedback about your designs, your flying, your school,
your
videos.... I don't think I'd get too worked up over one guy >>
Thanks for that Rick, I shouldn't but I do.
Oh well,
Thanks to Martin, our classes for the UK are filling up for next year, and
thanks to the agents here in the states, so are the classes here. There are
also classes comming up in Taiwan, South Africa, Denmark, one for the Kite
Trade assoc. Retailers, possibly one with at Sun Fest with the Kite loft so it
is growing and the Explosive series Sport kites I have with New Tech are
selling better than we could hope for so I suppose I shouldnt let one negative
guy get me down....
What I always try to get across to my students is that I probably wont be able
to teach them everything they want to know in one or two days.
I can look at their flying, give them constructive critisism to help them
improve, and show them the practice lessons I feel will help them improve the
most.
I have had more experience with doing this than anyone out there.
In every class there is one student that expects me to teach them everything
, where most, realize that too much is too much and if they walk away from the
class with a few good tips to help them improve, and some focused practice
lessons individually tuned to them, they are more than satisfied.
In every class there is at least one or two that do not learn too much, mainly
because they do not practice during their assigned practice time. Thats up to
them.
In every class there are one or two that are overwhelmed by how much there is
to learn, for them I normally only give them one or two practice lessons. And
they are the ones that come back to Flight School to learn more and I have had
a lot of repeat students this year, and thats a good sign!
In every class there are 3 or 4 that learn a lot of precision and get to move
on to tricks.
This is my favorite part. Because once they have the basics down, its easy to
progress thru tricks very rapidly. And when I see them learning tricks this
fast that took me 2-6 months per trick and even longer to learn, I am full of
excitment! I didnt have any one to teach me the tricks, nothing formal anyway,
thats why I do this!
Because this years video has kites in it I dont promote or get royalties for, I
havent pushed it very hard, yet it still sold very well and its a very good
complete video. Flight SChool 2001. The one being sold in the UK I made for
Eolo, and I dont get anything for that, but the info is good in it.
Soon the new one will be done, Flight School .02 and I will really promote it.
If students came to the class with the first 10 lessons under their belt, they
could go on and learn almost every trick in two days. now thats getting your
moneys worth!
See you on the tour, and maybe Stu too!
Dodd
Ian Newham
Stu <M...@gledz.com> writes
*blah blah blah*
I might be wrong but is someone forging postings from Stu? The header,
sig and address are different from Stu's other postings. If it was him
why would he want to get on the net at 06:00 just to slag Dodd off using
an American ISP?
Looks fishy to me...
--
Ian Newham
mailto:i...@ourshack.com
mailto:ac...@supanet.com
http://www.ian.ourshack.org
David Bacque
experience.
I feel like it was the best $35 I've ever spent on the sport. I smoothed
out some old stuff and learned a couple of things I've been trying
unsuccessfully to learn on my own. I couldn't believe it. I'd been working
for over a month on one trick, Dodd taught me to do it on the first try.
As for the Dynamite, I was so impressed with its value and capabilities that
I ordered one that night.
Do I feel ripped off? Heck no! It was two of the best days of kite flying
I've ever had. And I'd say it was a bargin.
Dave
Stu
hell ain't me.....I have a sense of humour and whats more a sense of
decency.
Still Dodd's friend,
Wherever you may be, let your wind blow free...and to the w***er who used my
name, come to Malham and try it face to face pal!!!!
Stu
"Stu" <M...@gledz.com> wrote in message
news:mqDl7.11775$ln4.9...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
Stu
the applique
Stu
"Ian Newham" <ac...@supanet.com> wrote in message
news:26rRBXAj...@ntlworld.com...
Whisky
Hi All, This can't be the same Stu, as he loggs on under a
differant name.....He recently sent me loads of pics from
the Dodds FS, saying how much he enjoyed himself! I had
such a good time, i've already booked next years.
Best wishes Alan
aka Whisky
Posted from the Rec.Kites Archive at http://www.ikite.com - I Kite, Therefore I Am
Roland Herrera
In UK or probably everywhere, people complain all the time - even if
you're doing your best. I wouldn't worry about it ; I would definitely
support you ; I have one of your videos, ( and your booklet "trick school" )
and am getting another one, because it's good ! I would also attend one of
your flight schools without hesitation. You have done a lot to promote trick
flying, to many, and deserve all the income and support you get. I would
encourage all sport kite flyers to support you, otherwise how are beginners
and intermediates like myself going to learn if we don't personally know any
competition champion trick flyers ? Of course some people may be jealous,
because you're good at your sport and good at your job.... I'd just take
that as a compliment, man.
Bests
Roland Herrera
Bristol UK
http://www.wps.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/kites.htm
Stu
I will maybe see you next year 'cos all being well I am going to do the
Shipley Flight Schoool again, I enjoyed it so much first time around.
For the record, I actually learnt trick flying by watching Dodd's videos, I
live in a rural area and don't often get chance to fly in company, so the
video was my only real point of reference (aside from the net). Without it I
would still be struggling. So when some un-named ar*ehole starts using my
name to have a pop at something or someone I have a great deal of respect
for I get a tad Miffed.
Off to bed now...should have been doing my Tesco.com stuff but spent all
night fuming at this cock -up.
Wherever you may be, let your wind blow free! (except for the PRAT who used
my name, I hope you get chronic indigestion, you waster)
Stu
"Roland Herrera" <w...@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:GQSl7.1572$7h5.2...@news1.cableinet.net...
Djskites
wrong, including email addresses, (sorry this happened to you Stu) but I almost
should thank this prankster because this stirred up a lot of attention, and
may have brought on some more Flight Schools in Europe and here in the US.
Possibly 3-5 more.
There are so many classes forming for next year, that we will have to link some
of them together for short Tours like we have done in Europe and Washington
state.
Thanks again for your support and I hope to soon,
see you on the tour
dodd
JJHodges
attendees. The flying level of the attendees ranged from pretty basic to
expert competitors. And, everyone came away having learned something. We all
had a great time, and we're trying to set it up again.
I don't ever recall Dodd saying it was "FREE"...as someone pointed out, the man
has to make a living, and the money he charges for the time he puts in is
pretty reasonable. Yeah, you can go learn stuff from videos, but it's a whole
different ballgame actually flying with someone. Dodd is a great teacher.
Funny, if he was such a rip-off, you'd think he'd go 100% and insist you buy
one of his designs (from him) before he taught you! lol
Jim Hodges
Sky Jewels Kites
Fairfax, VA 22031
Djskites
NO ONE SAID FLIGHT SCHOOL WAS A RIPOFF.
The person who posted that original post, posed as one of my past students from
the UK, stole Stu's address, made some rude remarks and said they would go buy
a Prism kite. I suspect they already have them....many of them.....
Some people have anger towards me.
That is why Jim you ran into resistance when you tried to set up my FLight
School for the Sunfest Weekend .
Sorry you had problems
The excuse you were given was just that.
There was no reason we could not run a class during that event. It just that
some jealous person in the position of a little power didnt want me there, that
simple.
I have done a few Flight Schools this year by just setting up a field with no
schedule so it would have worked in Ocean City Md duing the Sunfest. Its sad
that the fliers have to suffer because of one persons hangups...
In Wildwood and Ocean Shores this year I had a very respectful turnout of
students with no advance schedule, just a field.
All I need during an event is a space and some support from the event.
Next year I will be at more festivals with Flight School. TBA
I know its frustrating Jim, hang in there, we will arrange another class that
has nothing to do with an event or even the club if you want. How about Mid
October????
I run into political walls all of time. That is why my most successful classes
have nothing to do with clubs or kite shops or events. The classes are set up
and run by fliers. Flight School Agents. FLiers who want me there.
No political crap involved or at least very little.......There really is no
room for that when it comes to the advancement of our sport..
Sooooo, I will be at the Sunfest In ocean city Md anyway, I am staying at the
Americana hotel. Room 410.
If anyone is interested in Private lessons, I am available....
Other then that, I will be there, having a good time flying kites and seeing
old friends..
See you at the Sun Fest.
Dodd