Sport Pilot Checkride: November 3, 2021
Instructor: Sergey Kataev
Aircraft: SportStar N712MF
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

“I come from a flying family that has 2 retired KLM pilots and 1 KLM flight engineer and now a cousin that is also a pilot at KLM. I always wanted to fly and do have a paraglider rating but actual powered aircraft never seemed possible. Then a few years ago I decided to give it a go. I started at a school in Livermore and the plane I was learning in was a 1946 Champ, it broke and was taking forever to fix so I found Serge and started sport pilot training with him and the Aerodynamic team. It has taken me longer (not Serge’s fault) and has been more of an effort than I ever imagined it would be but it is an accomplishment that I am very proud of. I have a lot more respect now for people that go through pilot training especially when you figure out it’s not about being some hot shot in a plane but it’s about a whole lot more, actually you will be humbled and can leave the hot shot attitude at home. Also I have a lot more to learn. So I want to thank all of you for helping me get to this point in my flying adventure and am sure you’ll be seeing more of me at the school.” ~ John D.