First Solo Flight
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First Solo Flight – Dmitriy Kosovskiy
Mar 06 2017Solo Date: February 23, 2017
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: David Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
When one teaches as much as David Waksberg, it makes sense he would have fun traditions for soloing his students. Student pilot Dmitriy experienced first-hand the bucket-o-water after his first solo flight at Reid-Hillview Airport! While we don’t condone wet T-shirt contests ;-), we do enjoy hanging solo shirts on our office wall for a time, even if they are dripping wet.
Go, Dmitriy, go!
First Solo Flight – Elliot Young
Feb 17 2017Solo Date: February 15, 2017
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Batelle Rachmian
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Thanks to this unusual weather California is experiencing, student pilot Elliot Young patiently waited over a month to finally take his first solo flight. Some things are worth the wait, like the first time you takeoff in a taildragger without an instructor in the backseat. At first the quietness, there’s no instructor shouting “more right rudder!” from behind you, then the taste of freedom as you realize it’s really just you and your flying machine, and finally the exhilaration as you bring that airplane in for landing…ALL…BY…YOURSELF! Congrats on this amazing accomplishment to both Elliot and Batelle.
First Solo Flight – Eric Jones
Feb 11 2017Solo Date: February 5, 2017
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Batelle, Jason, Grainne & Jen
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Traveling all the way from Arizona, Eric Jones made a commitment to himself that his first solo flight would be in a taildragger…and he did it! Using his first vacation in years, student pilot and aircraft fueler from Phoenix flew with quite a few of AeroDynamic’s tailwheel instructors and was able to solo just before departing for home. We are so honored he made the trip here to fly with us and accomplished what he set out to do – tailwheel endorsement and first solo flight. Way to be awesome, Eric! We wish you lots of luck with finishing your pilot’s license and hope you come back someday soon to do some more taildragging with us.
First Solo Flight – Jason Gordon
Jan 23 2017Solo Date: January 1, 2017
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Jason Brown
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“My solo was 3 takeoffs and 3 landings at KRHV. I’ve wanted to fly since I was about 9 years old when a Delta pilot let me into the cockpit during a flight to Hawaii & let me keep the flight plan when we landed. I’ve been chipping away at my private pilots license since 2011 & love the freedom that flying gives you. Not just flying over busy freeways to get somewhere faster but the way it takes all of your attention and focus away from work, bills, and everything else that can consume your mind and forces you to be present in the moment. My goal getting started was to be able to travel more quickly and easily but since joining the aviation community am now planning to join the CAP and considering becoming a CFI so I can share my love of aviation with others.” ~ Jason
First Solo Flight – Josh Bellinger
Dec 22 2016
Solo Date: December 12, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Jamie Redding
Location: Monterey, CA (KMRY)
Congrats to Josh on his first solo flight! Instructor Jamie watched from below as Josh flew full-stop takeoffs and landings at Monterey’s class C airport.
“I grew up in Monterey and studied civil engineering at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. I worked as a structural engineer after graduation from college, got my engineering license, and eventually became a project manager for a local general contractor. My interest in flying began in 2014, just for fun, and then eventually, I got hooked! My plan is to continue training for my private pilots license. If all goes well, I would like continue my training further. Originally, I wanted to fly so that I could visit family. Now, I just love to fly because it is so much fun. Everyone in the flying community has been very supportive, and I am so very grateful to everyone at Aerodynamic Aviation whom has helped me on my journey into aviation.” ~ Josh
First Solo Flight – Terry Xing
Dec 14 2016Solo Date: December 12, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Eric Curtis
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Way to go! Terry soloed Cessna 915L around the patch at Reid-Hillview airport with instructor Eric watching from the sidelines.
“I have a lot of hobbies, like scuba diving, golfing, snowboarding, and fishing, but I found flying is different from all of them in that it enables you to feel the world in a totally new angle. Flying is the most challenging, but enjoyable, thing I have ever done before. I have been frustrated since I started learning fly since it is hard for me to get everything coordinated up in the air. But once you become proficient and pick up the confidence gradually, you will enjoy flying so much. You won’t be able to feel better when you can grab an airplane and fly to wherever you want as a pilot. I think flying an airplane is the coolest thing people can do on earth. I am planning to take my family and friends on a bay tour right after I get my PPL (Private Pilot License).” ~ Terry
First Solo Flight – Trevor Orr
Dec 07 2016Solo Date: December 6, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: David Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Instructor David solos another one! Congrats to Trevor who completed the legendary 3 solo takeoffs and landings in Cessna N61637 at Reid-Hillview’s class D airport.
“I’ve been in touch with aviation since I was a kid. My dad built a Long EZ and took me flying around in it all through my youth.
After a lengthy repose in flying and flight training due to grad school, financials, and family, and spurred to action by some life-is-short moments, I’ve re-dedicated myself to returning to the air!
Short term, I’d like to get my private pilot’s license so that I can share my love of flying with my family and show them some of the places I used to wander as a kid, meet friendly aviation people, explore new places, and (of course) skip the long traffic commutes to visit family in San Diego during the holidays :)! Long term, I’d like to get an instrument rating and maybe even someday become a CFI!” ~ Trevor
First Solo Flight – Greg Seibert
Dec 05 2016Solo Date: November 22, 2016
Aircraft: Evektor SportStar
Instructor: David Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Congrats to Greg on his first solo! Greg flew 3 takeoffs and landings at Reid-Hillview (KRHV) in the SportStar with Instructor David watching carefully.
“I’ve always been fascinated by things that fly. Becoming a pilot was on my ‘bucket list.’ On the first flight with David when he said, ‘Take the controls,’ I was forever hooked. Major Awesomeness ensued. It was the first time I was sitting in something that I was flying.
I’ve been flying various model aircraft using radio signals for over 30 years. Last year when the FAA announced its rules for piloting drones professionally, it finally gave me the justification for spending the time and money to become a pilot.
I’ve been an engineer for 36 years and am looking forward to doing something different. My Dream Retirement Job would be to fly UAS for a public safety organization. Getting my pilot’s license is the first step toward realizing that dream.
First Solo Flight – Martin Ellis
Nov 28 2016Solo Date: November 22, 2016
Aircraft: Evektor SportStar
Instructor: Jason Brown
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
He’s rocking out his flight training toward a Sport Pilot Certificate. On fair-weather Tuesday, Martin passed the solo mark on his way to that coveted license-to-fly! With the checkride not far off, he’s well on his way to realizing a life-long dream 🙂
“I’ve wanted to fly for almost as long as I can remember…. over the years though the timing never seemed right…. too busy at work, not enough spare cash, weather too unpredictable (I lived in London for about a decade…). About a year ago I moved to the bay area, and thought ‘it’s now or never’. One flight with Jason, and I was hooked! I find that from the moment I arrive at KRHV, to the moment I leave, all the stresses of life are gone and I’m 100% focused on flying, and love every minute of it!” ~ Martin
First Solo Flight – Terrel Hill
Nov 25 2016Solo Date: November 20, 2016
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Grainne Gilvarry
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
On a slightly overcast Sunday, taildragger student pilot Terrel earned the solo notch in his aviation belt. With instructor Grainne watching closely from below, he tamed the taildragger with an empty rear seat. It won’t be long now before he’s holding up that hard-earned Private Pilot Certificate!
“I grew up overseas and so I flew a lot. I loved the planes as a young boy wanted to be a pilot.
One summer as a teenager I flew in a Cessna taildragger from Challis, Idaho to Mahoney airstrip and took care of my uncle’s horses and mules at his hunting camp at Cougar Creek for 8 weeks (middle fork of the Salmon river). I loved flying in the mountains.
Later in high school, I enrolled in an aviation course my junior year. After passing the FAA test (our course final exam), I had to make a tough decision: to save for college or take flying lessons. The dream to fly has been tucked away in the back of my mind for 25 years. Life situations changed – I now have the time and means to learn.
Once I complete my private license training, I hope to take Aerodynamic’s mountain flying course. My dream is to buy a plane and fly to all the remote places that I want to fly fish.” ~ Terrel