Jen
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First Solo Flight – Kent Harrison
Jul 17 2019Solo Date: July 14, 2019
Aircraft: SportStar – N712MF
Instructor: Sergey Kataev
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Congrats to Kent and instructor Sergey! Kent grew up flying with his dad, a professional airshow performer, and figured it was finally time to do it on his own. We agree it’s much more fun to be the one at the controls 😉 Kent is looking forward to finally getting his sport license. Onward and upward!
New Private Pilot – Philippe Martin
Jul 16 2019Date: July 13, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Dick Chang
Aircraft: Cessna N54102
Nailed it! Congrats to Philippe for a first time pass! Philippe journeyed to Salinas to meet with Pilot Examiner Eric Cook. His instructor, Dick, flew down to cheer on his pupil. Now time to head off on exciting trips. Keep us posted!
Advanced Training – Jen Watson
Jun 27 2019We are big advocates of continued training for pilots at every level. Whether this means pushing your comfort level with spin training, taming the taildragger by earning a tailwheel endorsement or adding a new rating to your license, we also like to practice what we preach by encouraging our instructors to know and do more advanced training.
This month, our Chief Instructor Jen traveled south to Sean Tucker’s Academy of Aviation Safety (Tutima) to train in a Pitts S2-C with airshow pilot and unlimited category aerobatic competition pilot Yuichi Takagi. During their 8 flights in 4 days, Jen learned intermediate aerobatic maneuvers including rolling turns, avalanche, Chinese loop, accelerated snap rolls, inverted flat & accelerated spins, plus many more. He also demonstrated some of his more exciting airshow maneuvers including the famous Lomcevak (aerial cartwheel). Although she teaches aerobatics in her Decathlon and has done aerobatic competitions, Jen also knows that every pilot should continue their portfolio and push the envelope to expand their comfort level.
We are lucky to have Yuichi teach spins, upset recovery and basic aerobatics with us on occasion. You can also fly the Pitts or Extra with him in King City by scheduling with Tutima. Follow Yuichi in his Pitts through RedFox Airshows. Thanks for the most amazing training, Yuichi!
New Private Pilot – Adam Jansen
Jun 24 2019Date: June 14, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Scott Holland
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
“Earning the PPL has been very rewarding. It took a little over a year of dedication and hard work to earn the certificate, but I am happy that I finally did it. Next up: mountain flying, aerobatics, and maybe a seaplane rating!” ~ Adam
First Solo Flight – Joshua Shinavier
Jun 18 2019Solo Date: June 1, 2019
Aircraft: Citabria – N2508Z
Instructor: Scott Holland
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“I am an engineer at Uber, where I build the company’s knowledge graph. When I was little, I built flying contraptions. I would put a board across my shoulders like a wing and run really fast, or make spinning rotors which, unfortunately, did not produce enough lift to heft me into the sky. It took me a long time to climb into the cockpit of a real flying machine, but it has been a dream come true. I can’t wait for my first cross-countries.”
New Private Pilot – Nicole Herbig
Jun 07 2019Date: June 4, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructors: Lynzie Hudson & Terry Norbraten
Aircraft: Cessna N62244
First Solo Flight – Ivan Zarate
May 29 2019Solo Date: May 8, 2019
Aircraft: Cessna 172 – N54102
Instructors: Travis Mills
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“Growing up, I would see the Blue Angels fly by my house during the Salinas Airshow and I would wonder how fun it would be to fly an airplane. As it turns out it is much more exciting than I have ever imagine.” ~ Ivan
Congrats on your first solo!
First Solo Flight – Henry Jessel
Apr 12 2019Solo Date: March 24, 2019
Aircraft: Cessna 172 – N54102
Instructors: Christian Burton
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Henry has sought to fly ever since he could first point to the Southwest 737s on approach to San Jose. For many years, he would only fly on flight simulators and take any opportunity to visit the airport to watch the commercial jets land at San Francisco. Every time he would fly, he would look up to the captains with reverence for their awe-inspiring jobs. He is excited to proceed with his career in aviation, and pursue at job at the commercial airlines.
New Private Pilot – Nicolas De Rico
Apr 09 2019Date: March 30, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Christian Burton
Aircraft: Cessna N915L
Congratulations, Nicolas! We love to see a first-time pass on a checkride. The weather is finally giving us blue skies, so go out and enjoy that hard-earned pilot license!
First Solo Flight – Yongzhen Qiu
Apr 09 2019Solo Date: April 1, 2019
Aircraft: Cessna 172 – N12234
Instructors: Adam Sciupac & Christian Burton
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“It feels so cool to fly an airplane by myself! Starting from a g2g aviation 101 course and a discovery flight, Aviation has become an important part of my life! Thank you very much Adam and Christian! Looking forward to my solo cross country!” ~ Yongzhen