Flight Training
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First Solo Flight – Andrew Kuo
Jul 03 2017Solo Date: June 18, 2017
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: David Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
For most people reaching the goal of first solo flight is a big achievement, but for Kuanlin “Andrew” Kuo it took incredible fortitude and commitment. Andrew had to complete all the tasks of any private pilot student. Due to vision issues, he also had to fight his way through getting a special medical issuance and passing a flight test (called a SODA) with Jeff Ebey, the man in charge of all pilot examiners and flight school operations at San Jose FSDO. Andrew passed with flying colors 😉 He and instructor David definitely earned the privilege to solo and are now continuing on to Private Pilot certification. Nice work, guys!
New Private Pilot – Chuang Wang
Jul 03 2017Date: June 17, 2017
Instructor: David Waksberg
Certification: Private Pilot
Woohoo, we have a new private pilot in our midst! Chuang flew through his checkride with pilot examiner Yuzo (pun intended). Thanks to the hard work of both Chuang and his intructor David, our newest licensed pilot will soon be one of those airplanes out buzzing the blue San Jose skies. Congrats to all who made this dream possible for him.
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N737ZD
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
First Solo Flight – Thao Do
Jul 03 2017Solo Date: May 27, 2017
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Dick Chang
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
A big shout out to Thao, who successfully completed her first solo flight in Cessna N12234. Instructor Dick Chang watched like a proud papa as Thao flew 3 takeoffs and landings on Runways 31R and 31L without him sitting next to her.
Thao came to AeroDynamic for an aerobatic thrill ride with our Chief Instructor, Jen, and she has become a cheery face at our school. She is an incredibly accomplished woman who is quickly adding “pilot” to her list of capabilities.
Thao filmed her flight to share with all of us, prospective and experienced pilots, her incredible experience. Click here to see her YouTube video.
New Private Pilot – Jeff Chern
Jun 28 2017Date: May 19, 2017
Instructor: Batelle Rachmain
Certification: Private Pilot
Well done, Jeff, on passing your Private Pilot checkride with Examiner Scott! We hope you are out enjoying the perks of being a licensed pilot. Happy flying 🙂
Examiner: Scott Rohlfing
Aircraft: Cessna N737ZD
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
New Private Pilot – Andrew Shacker
May 22 2017Date: May 18, 2017
Instructor: Jason Brown
Certification: Private Pilot
From all of the AeroDynamic crew – A huge congratulations to Andrew for passing his Private Pilot checkride with DPE (designated pilot examiner) Yuzo Wakita. Andrew is a full-time student at Berkeley who took on the extra workload of earning his pilot’s license. We are so proud of Andrew and his instructor Jason for all their long hours and diligence to earn this monumental achievement!
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N98485
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
New Private Pilot – Malick Usman
May 01 2017Date: April 30, 2017
Instructor: David Waksberg
Certification: Private Pilot
“Today is a very special day for me since my long time dream of taking to the skies has finally come true. I don’t have to just stare at the sky and wish I could fly anymore; I can just hop on a plane and get there. I am looking forward to one day becoming a CFI and sharing my passion for flying with others too.Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N61637
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
New Private Pilot – Shawn Nikkila
Mar 31 2017Date: March 29, 2017
Instructor: Jason Brown
Certification: Private Pilot
Whoot Whoot! Congrats to AeroDynamic’s newest tailwheel pilot! With a family of pilots, Shawn earned his wings and plans to fly for fun in his dad’s Cessna 120, another fun taildragger. Shawn soloed in Citabria 990wY with us in November and passed his checkride in Citabria 1806G just a few days ago. He flew to Calaveras Airport, at the base of the Sierra Mountains, to take his checkride with tailwheel examiner Rob Davids. And he passed with flying colors! Congrats to both Shawn and Jason for this achievement. Happy flying!
Examiner: Rob Davids
Aircraft: Citabria N1806
Checkride Location:
Calaveras, CA (KCPU)
First Solo Flight – Kelsie Zhao
Mar 10 2017Solo Date: March 6, 2017
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Batelle Rachmian
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Congrats to Kelsie and her instructor Batelle for this momumental achievement in pilot training. In her own words, “Reason into aviation: Aeronautics major; didn’t get to design an airplane so think I probably should fly one 🙂
Like the idea of just me and beautiful view outside, more or less inspired by the book West with the Night.”
It’s looking to be a banner year for Cessna 61637! This Cessna 172M takes yet another student pilot, Kelsie, on her first solo flight around Reid-Hillview Airport’s traffic pattern. Soon this beloved airplane will also add Kelsie to her distinguished list of pilots who have earned their pilot wings in her white, red and gray airframe.
New Multi-Engine Pilot – JP O’Dell
Mar 09 2017Date: March 3, 2017
Instructor: Jen Delp-Mallet
Certification: Multi-Engine Private Pilot
After recently earning his instrument rating with us, Monterey-based pilot JP O’Dell mastered our Twin Comanche in just 12 short hours and passed his checkride on the first attempt! Despite being a full-time student and avid athlete, JP made time to study the Twin Comanche’s systems, emergencies, and engine-inop procedures. JP plans to continue on to a career in aviation (hopefully becoming a CFI for us), but for now the lucky 19-year-old has access to fly a Beechcraft Baron for a number of hours while he works toward his Commercial Pilot License.
Try to avoid shutting down an engine anytime soon, and we will see you in a few months for that next pilot certification.
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Twin Comanche N40DA
Checkride Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Image: Right engine shutdown (feathered) in flight.
First Solo Flight – Henrique Rodrigues
Mar 06 2017Solo Date: February 25, 2017
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Eric Curtis
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
We love seeing fledgling pilots leave the nest and soar around the airport patch. AeroDynamic sends a big “way to go” to Henrique and his instructor Eric for this first adventure flying an airplane solo. Henrique took Cessna 61637 off Runway 31R for 3 full-stop takeoffs and landings with Eric watching carefully from the sidelines. Next up…cross-country flight training, more solos, and then checkride preparation. Have fun!