Cessna 172

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IFR, instrument rating, flight training

New Instrument Rating – Stefan Schaeuble

Jul 19 2020
Date: July 2, 2020
Certification: Instrument Rating
Instructors: Sara Stumpf, Dick Chang & David Waksberg
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

IFR, instrument rating, flight training

“The instrument rating has been my goal for several years to be a safer and better pilot. I was lucky to complete most of my flight training with David Waksberg, checkride preparation with Sara Stumpf and Dick Chang, and orals prep with Ray Owens. After postponing my checkride twice due to COVID, I was very happy to get it done on 7/2 with DPE Scott Rohlfing. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue the journey at Aerodynamic with a commercial certificate.” ~ Stefan

checkride, cessna, 172, CA

New Private Pilot – Lukasz Weber

Jul 18 2020
Date: June 6, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

checkride, cessna, 172, CA

“In early June, on a Saturday morning I flew off to Paso Robles for my checkride with Eric Cook. After 10 months of preparation, I couldn’t wait! The checkride was intense, but really good in terms of checking my knowledge and my skills against real-world scenarios, emphasizing safety and encouraging continued learning. I came back to Reid-Hillview late that day, tired, but absolutely thrilled about all of the new opportunities ahead!

I wouldn’t have passed without my awesome instructor, Cheryl Mitrus, who’s patience and excellent instruction was key. Thanks also go to Marc Young, who taught me how to consistently fly the formal landing approach and wouldn’t let me just do my own thing. To Jason Brown, whose expertise and practical application of the knowledge made the FAR rules logical and much easier to understand. And also to David Waksberg, who started me off with the very first lessons. Lastly, the staff at Aerodynamic Aviation has been exceptional all-around, and I’m so happy to be able to train here!

I’ve also taken to heart what Eric Cook said about the Private Pilot Certificate: it is a license to learn. I’m planning to continue training with Aerodynamic Aviation, starting with the Complex Endorsement, so that I can continue to explore the amazing world of aviation.” ~ Lukasz

First Solo Flight – Dima Martynyuk

Jun 27 2020
Solo Date: June 14, 2020
Aircraft: Cessna N12234
Instructor: Mitchell Templeton
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

Congrats to Dima and his CFI Mitchell for completing a monumental step – a pilot’s first solo flight.

Newest Pilots!

Jun 25 2020

Evgenii Sikachev

Date: May 20, 2020
Certification: Instrument Rating
Instructors: James Hwang, Sara Stumpf & Scott Holland
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

Alex Ambrose

Date: May 26, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

Lukasz Weber

Date: June 6, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

Graham Harbman

Date: June 12, 2020
Certification: Certificated Flight Instructor
Instructor: Dick Chang
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

Randy Rerucha

Date: June 22, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Scott Holland
Aircraft: Citabria N9091L

Derrick Gendron

Date: June 22, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Mitchell Templeton
Aircraft: Cessna N9027H

checkride, pilot, C172

New Private Pilot – Daniil Burmashev

Feb 26 2020
Date: February 17, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Kat Hanlon
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

checkride, pilot, C172

“Even though I had relatives who were in aviation I never thought I would be, mostly because it looked like a long-drawn-out and complex process. My once far off dream is now my reality, flying a plane is something everyone should do.
Aerodynamics, thank you” ~ Daniil

Private, pilot, training

New Private Pilot – Yongzhen Qiu

Feb 26 2020
Date: February 20, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N54102
Private, pilot, training

Congrats to Yongzhen and CFI Cheryl on a first-time pass!

commercial pilot, checkride, Cessna 172

New Commercial Pilot – Rick Vander Kam

Jan 04 2020
Date: December 31, 2019
Certification: Commercial Pilot ASEL
Instructor: Dick Chang
Aircraft: N915L

commercial pilot, checkride, Cessna 172

“I grew up building and flying model airplanes and rockets, and it seems I’ve always had an interest in aviation-related things. I’ve been flying with AeroDynamic for about 15 years, from initial solo and Private certification in taildraggers to an Instrument rating and other endorsements, recurrent training, and flying just for fun. I’m thankful that over all those years, at each step, AeroDynamic’s instructors and airplanes have met and surpassed my own needs.
This past summer, after a few years of friendly urging (we won’t call it nagging) from instructor Dick Chang, and finding myself suddenly between jobs, it was a great opportunity to go after the Commercial license. Mastering all of the knowledge and skills and maneuvers takes significant time and effort on the part of both pilot and instructor. I want to thank Dick for all those dual hours and good lunches, and also Kat, Jen, and Matt, who stepped in and helped me along at different times. Reflecting on the recent checkride, I can honestly say I was well-prepared — thanks to those just mentioned.
Although I have no immediate plans to exercise Commercial Pilot privileges, this step opens up new options for me. Over the years, I’ve given more than 20 people their first rides in small planes, and I really enjoy sharing the joy and excitement of flying. There’s a decent chance that I’ll someday follow the same path as Dick, with a high-tech career eventually morphing into a flight-instruction career. I will admit I’ve started thinking about what to work on next — CFI? AMEL? ASES? Tough call!” ~ Rick
We think you’ll make an excellent instructor!
solo, C172

First Solo Flight – Lukasz Weber

Dec 19 2019
Solo Date: December 16, 2019
Aircraft: Cessna N61637
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

solo, C172

“Airplanes have always been my passion, maybe it’s my Polish childhood, where the impact of WWII can still be strongly felt in contrast to the freedom of flight. Ever since, I’ve been building airplane models, plastic, then RC. Particularly interested in propeller driven WWII machines, I’ve been flying models, simulators, wing suits, and generally trying to fly in some very indirect ways. Now, inspired by my friends, and the fact that my work is moving offices next to an airport, I figured, enough waiting. I’m looking forward to flying regularly to work (and try to beat the peninsula traffic) and to the various skydiving drop zones around California on the weekends! I’m so excited to fly for real!” ~Lukasz

pilot, checkride, flight training

New Private Pilot – Sergi Perdices

Nov 20 2019
Date: October 5, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Kat Hanlon
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

“During the time that I have been involved with Aerodynamic, I really liked the community and I would like to stay connected. I will not pursue instrument rating yet. I would like to enjoy flying for a while, but I still want to continue learning real world flying. If there are pilots that want to plan fun trips, I would love to connect with them.” ~Sergi

checkride, Cessna, pilot

New Private Pilot – Adnan Pratama

Nov 13 2019
Date: October 5, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Kat Hanlon
Aircraft: Cessna N737ZD

checkride, Cessna, pilot

“Being a pilot has been my dream as a child. But for a long time I was raised in a home where the thought of that becoming reality never came across. I first got to know that being a pilot just before I graduated from college and never got a chance to get into it until now.
Now that I am licensed, I am planning to go to different places and learn flying in different airplanes including experimental and maybe even part 103. I also plan to get my instrument if I find flying VFR got me grounded too many times due to weather.
I’d like to thank all of my instructors and special thank to Kat Hanlon for taking me when I was left halfway without instructor and pushed me towards the finish line.” ~ Adnan

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