Cessna 172
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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 – 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!
New Private Pilot – Matt Fall
Feb 27 2017Date: February 24, 2017
Instructor: Tom Morley
Certification: Private Pilot
AeroDynamic’s office manager, Matt, receives the first of his pilot certifications with a first-time pass of his Private Pilot checkride! Matt has flown with almost all the instructor’s we have in an effort to round out his flight training, which gave him a boost of confidence for the checkride, and we are so proud to see him succeed.
Matt’s first planned flight is to take his girlfriend on a few cross-country trips to show her why he’s so passionate about aviation. A date flight to Harris Ranch should do the trick! Matt plans to continue on with Instrument rating, Commercial and Flight Instructor (CFI) certifications in his pursuit of a career with an airline or corporate company. Thanks for all your hard work in and out of the airplane, Matt. From all of us, congratulations!!!
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N61637
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
New Private Pilot – Stanley Cheng
Feb 15 2017Date: February 13, 2017
Instructor: Jen Delp-Mallet
Certification: Private Pilot
From all the instructors who know and flew with Stanley – we are so proud of your dedication to earning your first pilot license!
Stanley was originally accepted into the pilot program in China, where he grew up, and was sadly denied after a minor issue with his vision. After moving to the US many years ago, he decided to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. In America it is easy to take for granted the fact that we can choose to become a pilot or fly for fun. After hearing Stanley’s story and getting to know him, we are reminded how lucky we are to be able to fly whenever we want and how lucky we are to be able to train a hard-working person who is so passionate about flying. Thanks, Stanley!
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N737ZD
Checkride Location:
San Jose, CA (KRHV)
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 – Mary McEnroe
Jan 27 2017Date: January 13, 2016
Instructor: Batelle Rachmian
Certification: Private Pilot License
Way to go! Mary McEnroe soloed with us on April Fool’s Day and recently passed her Private Pilot checkride on Friday the 13th. Apparently those are good luck days for her, as she passed on the first attempt with Examiner Yuzo! Despite weather delays and globetrotting for her job, Mary made time to work diligently at earning her license to fly. Her goal right now is to fly for fun. Today she took her first passenger, her mom, for whale watching around the Monterey and Santa Cruz coast. We love to see success stories like Mary and wish her the best in her flying adventures. Congrats to her and Batelle for all their hard work and patience.
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N12234
Checkride Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
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
New Instrument Pilot – JP O’Dell
Dec 22 2016Date: November 27, 2016
Instructor: Anton Salameh
Certification: Instrument Rating
After studying with his father, an airline pilot and flight instructor, JP polished off his instrument skills with our Monterey instructor, Anton, who is also an airline pilot. According to the examiner, JP nailed his checkride on the first try. Way to go, JP! He plans to continue on to multi-engine so he can build PIC time in a family friend’s Baron, then add single-engine commercial and multi to his aviation belt. We are happy to help you in your journey.
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Cessna N62244
Location: Monterey, CA (KMRY)
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