Cessna
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First Solo Flight – Nick Oliver
Dec 05 2018Solo Date: November 27, 2018
Aircraft: Cessna N12234
Instructor: Kat Hanlon
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Who’s that in the pattern at KRHV? Kat’s solo student, Nick! You know it’s a good flight when even tower commends you on a nice job. Congrats on keeping it cool!
First Solo – Jacob Tarango
Dec 31 2017Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Adam Sciupac
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Solo Date: December 28, 2017
Congrats to Jacob for accomplishing the rare solo birthday flight! At just 16 years old, without even a driver’s license, young Jacob took to the skies with a vacant right seat and realized his dream of soloing. So cool!! Thanks to CFI Adam for helping to make this happen. Well done, guys.
New Private Pilot – Dave Heckel
Jul 28 2017Date: July 26, 2017
Instructor: David Waksberg
Certification: Private Pilot
Most of you know Dave from his many hours working in the hangar with Josh. Not only is Dave working toward his Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) mechanic’s certificate, he also just earned his Private Pilot License!
“As most of you know, this has been a long time coming for me. Thank you to everyone for the support I have received over the last couple of years.
To the CFI’s who have pushed me along in the airplanes go my biggest thanks. Lynzie, for sticking with me since the beginning. Jason and Jen for putting up with my flakiness. David for getting me through the final push to the checkride, a REAL adventure. Awesome, one and all.
Special thanks to Josh and Jen for my second home at Aerodynamic.
Now I can do some fun flying including tailwheel and acro. I also have a list of family and friends I am looking forward to flying with.” ~ Dave
Examiner: John Ewing
Aircraft: Cessna N98485
Checkride Location:
Hayward, CA (KHWD)
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.
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!
New Private Pilot – Harsh Parandekar
Feb 03 2017Date: January 30, 2017
Instructor: David Waksberg
Certification: Private Pilot
A big congrats to Harsh and his instructor David for passing a checkride on the first attempt, which is quite a feat these days! Despite the weather delays we’ve seen in California this time of year, with heavy rains and storms, Harsh and David were able to finish up the training and found a beautiful day to complete the checkride. Way to go. Whoot whoot!
“I took up flying not just because it’s truly fascinating but also because I want to encourage my son to join the US Airforce and go on to becoming an astronaut. If he does walk on Mars one day, we will fondly remember this past year at Aerodynamic that got the ball rolling 🙂 Truly appreciate the support from the school. You have a really dedicated and helpful team. And special thanks to David who made the learning fun!” ~ Harsh
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N737ZD
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
New Private Pilot – Dan Aguirre
Jun 20 2016Date: June 10, 2016
Instructor: Coby Sena
Location: San Martin, CA (E16)
Certification: Private Pilot License
Under the careful tutelage of Instructor Coby, Dan recently became a licensed private pilot! His checkride took place at San Martin airport, near Gilroy and Morgan Hill, with examiner Eric Cook. Dan plans to continue his flight training to become an airline pilot one day soon. He tackled this first step and is now on to earning an Instrument Rating!
Airplane Camping – Columbia, CA
May 19 2016A gaggle of aviation enthusiasts take to the sky for airplane camping!
AeroDynamic family members departed Reid-Hillview airport on a partly cloudy Saturday for a night of camping, grilling, and stargazing on the grass runway at Columbia Airport (O22). This AeroDynamic tradition started a few years ago with a bunch of adventurous pilots who wanted to fly for more than just the $100 hamburger.
On this trip, 4 taildraggers and 3 Cessna 172s flew in to the grass and paved runways at this 2120′ MSL elevation airport at the base of the Sierra Mountains.
A few of us later hopped in the taildraggers for some showing off…ahem, landing practice…on the grass runway.
With everyone contributing a little something, we grilled chicken, cooked broccoli-cheese rice, and shared wine, beer, cheese, crackers, and chocolate (thanks, Mary). Totally stuffed, we sat around the campfire telling tall pilot tales and heckling each other. Once dark settled in, we walked out to the now-quiet grass runway 29-11 and laid down to stargaze (ok, maybe we did some plane spotting, too).
Instructors, students, and friends woke to the loud squawking of roosters and loud roar of low-flying aircraft – one of which you would expect when your tent is pitched a few hundred feet from a runway. 
Breakfast and coffee happened, then a few of us climbed in our planes for aerobatics, grass landing practice, or sightseeing. After packing up camp, some of us flew out while others walked into the quaint town of Columbia, where you can pan for gold, get a horse-drawn carriage ride, or see a play in this historic town.
Please join us on our next airplane camping adventure (to be announced soon). All are welcome – your plane or ours, with an instructor or solo – and bring family, kids, pets and friends!
First Solo – Jason Orlic
May 03 2016Solo Date: May 1, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Eric Curtis
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Whoot whoot! Congrats to Jason who soloed Cessna N98485 on a beautful Sunday afternoon at Reid-Hillview. Instructor Eric could not be more happy for you, and a big high five from all the AeroDynamic gang! Onward and upward to your next achievement…Private Pilot License.
Cessna Restoration – The New N968RC
Apr 19 2016Our Salinas-based Cessna gets a makeover!
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- Stripped & prepped
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- A few coats later…
and here is the new and improved Cessna 968RC!
Thanks to Potts Painting in Salinas and Jeff at San Jose Fuel for putting in so much effort to make this plane look amazing. Thanks to our renters and students for their patience while we upgrade our fleet. Cessna 8RC is back in Salinas and available starting today!