Archive
for August, 2016
First Solo – Nick Gronendyke
Aug 27 2016Solo Date: August 25, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Jason Brown
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Another young solo pilot takes to the skies! On Thursday, 17-year-old Nick fulfilled not just his dream of flying, but with Dad and Uncle watching, he also fulfilled their dream. Nick’s father always wanted to learn to fly, but his son is recognizing this dream for both of them. 
After reaching this benchmark of solo, Nick will continue on to earn his Private Pilot’s license. He eventually wants to go to an aviation college and fly professionally. We are so honored to be part of his flying journey! Congrats to Nick and CFI Jason for their hard work!
First Solo – Edan Ben Moshe
Aug 25 2016Solo Date: August 23, 2016
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Jen Delp-Mallet
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Living the dream! At only 16 years old, Edan became one of the elite young solo pilots, and he did it right…in a taildragger! 
Edan’s father, who received his instrument rating with Jen Delp-Mallet in his Diamond Star DA40, and his mother watched and snapped photos from Row P with his proud instructor as Edan took to the evening sky off runway 31R at Reid-Hillview airport. Winds were mostly down the runway at 10 knots, sunset approaching on the horizon, and light traffic in the pattern. Edan’s first comment to his instructor? “I didn’t know the tail would be so light without you back there,” followed by “and I kept looking at the backseat, like there’s really no one there?!”
Edan turns 17 in a few months, so we wish him luck with finishing up his Private Pilot’s license just after his birthday. As long as he does school and flight training homework on time, he should meet this goal and be on to borrowing Dad’s plane in no time. 😉
New Private Pilot – Dan Schmidt
Aug 25 2016Date: August 23, 2016
Instructor: Jen Delp-Mallet
Location: Fresno, CA (KFAT)
Certification: Private Pilot License
Proud Cirrus owner, Dan Schmidt, earned his wings on Tuesday at Fresno airport with DPE Bob Schwoerer. Dan began training in our Cessna 172s out of Monterey to fulfill a long-long dream of flying. Dan purchased the Cirrus SR20 in February and finished training for his Private Pilot license in the new plane. He travels often, and being able to fly allows him flexibility to meet clients and still be home for dinner with his wife and daughter. After a bit of relaxing and pleasure flying, Dan plans to continue on with instrument training.
New Private Pilot – Kate Born
Aug 24 2016Date: August 23, 2016
Instructor: Anton Salameh
Location: Fresno, CA (KFAT)
Certification: Private Pilot License
Way to go, Kate!!! Our Monterey office manager, Kate, made everyone proud when she passed her Private Pilot checkride with examiner Bob Schwoerer. Kate began her flight training just under a year ago and is continuing on to instrument and eventually commercial. Her plans include flying for the airlines, and she’s well on her way as she passes this first hurdle. Big congrats to both her and Anton for putting in the work and overcoming the odds. We can’t wait to see you in a pilot uniform!
First Solo – Wes Hayward
Aug 24 2016Solo Date: August 16, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Carol Tevebaugh
Location: Salinas, CA (KSNS)
Wes completed his first solo flight in our newly painted Cessna 968RC out of Salinas airport despite smoky conditions caused by the Soberanes fire in Big Sur. His flight instructor, Carol, watched proudly as he completed his first series of landings without her onboard. Congrats to them both for their hard work!