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New Instrument Rating – Mike Fritsche

Jun 12 2020
Date: April 14, 2020
Certification: Instrument Rating
Instructor: Nathaniel Thorpe
Aircraft: Cessna N53456

In mid February Mike Fritsche started training for his instrument rating with Aerodynamic Aviation in Monterey, California. He completed most of his training with CFII Nathaniel Thorpe, with some help from CFI Stephanie Procive. Mike works as a Deputy Sheriff for Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and needed to earn his instrument rating for their fixed-wing aviation program. He chose Aerodynamic for their instructor availability, location, and flexible training program. Mike completed his check-ride on 4/14/2020, earning his instrument rating. Mike wanted to thank his instructors for their patience and superior flight instruction, that contributed to his success. He plans on returning to Aerodynamic to complete his commercial flight training.
tailwheel, citabria, solo

First Solo Flight – Brian Kuhl

Apr 02 2020
Solo Date: March 27, 2020
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
Instructor: Ivan Stanojevic
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

tailwheel, citabria, solo

“I was introduced to aviation at a young age by my aunt and uncle who are both airline pilots. Growing up, they’ve always shared amazing stories of their adventures flying around the US. They have seen everything and have been involved with all aspects of flying- crop dusting, skydiving, glider towing, float panes in Alaska, family trips to Oshkosh, etc. At the time, I thought it was just a cool passion and career they were lucky to be involved in but it was something that seemed out of reach for me. As I’ve gotten older, I realized that there was no reason to hold these limitations on myself and that it was time for me to fly as well. My aunt’s advice was that I needed to be a real “stick and rudder” guy and that this can only be achieved in a taildragger which is why I’m at Aerodynamic today training in your Citabrias!” ~ Brian

sportstar, N712MF, solo

First Solo Flight – Gary Romel

Mar 31 2020
Solo Date: March 21, 2020
Aircraft: SportStar N712MF
Instructor: Sergey Kataev
Location: Hollister, CA (KCVH)

sportstar, N712MF, solo

“I first got into flying when I joined the Air Force to fly on AWACS aircraft as an airborne computer technician and firefighter.  I quickly became a flight instructor in my crew position and was placed on a lead aircrew in the 963rd Airborne Air Control Squadron.  On 9-11 I was running to my aircraft, we flew to the Pentagon to control the airspace for the next 24 hours-re-fueling over the White House.  Our crew also led the Afghanistan and Iraq wars from the air.
After the Air Force I moved to Los Angeles and went to law school at night while I worked during the day. I always wanted to be a pilot, and had flown with friends in their small aircraft over the years. So finally I have been able to get some pilot training done, and to this solo point. ” ~ Gary
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!

MEI, checkride, flight training

New Multi-Engine Instructor – Lynzie Hudson

Feb 12 2020
Date: February 5, 2020
Certification: Multi-engine Instructor (MEI)
Instructor: Jen Watson
Aircraft: Twin Comanche N40DA

MEI, checkride, flight training

AeroDynamic instructor Lynzie Hudson’s hard work earned her a first-time pass on her MEI checkride! Lynzie teaches tailwheel, aerobatics, upset recovery, spin training, private, instrument, commercial and now multi-engine. We are extremely proud of her accomplishments and can’t wait to see what she will add to her credentials next.

Maule, M5

Our Chief Instructor, Jen Watson, earns “Master CFI”

Jan 24 2020

AeroDynamic’s Chief Flight Instructor, Jen Watson, has been awarded Master CFI accreditation by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). This distinction is held by only an average of 300 flight instructors per year!

NAFI, Master CFI

“The NAFI Master Flight Instructor designation is a national accreditation for aviation educators that is based on a system of advanced professional standards and peer review. The designation is granted by NAFI and has two levels: the NAFI Associate Master Flight Instructor, and the NAFI Master Flight Instructor or Master Ground Instructor. These accreditation’s publicly recognize aviation educators who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and they set professional standards to which all professional aviation instructors and educators can aspire.

Both levels of the accreditation process focus primarily on the individual’s training activity and evaluation of pilots as well as his or her experience—the foundations of what an instructor is able to pass along to his or her students. They emphasize active instruction and pilot evaluation, not simply taking courses or the tenure of an individual’s instructor certificate. They are not honorary awards that recognize long-time service; rather, they are recognition for the individual who continues to practice aviation education at the highest level.

Accreditation requires a rigorous process of on-going professional activity. Like a flight instructor certificate, NAFI Master Instructor accreditation’s must be renewed every 24 months to assure a dedication to continuous involvement.”

First Solo Flight – Mikhail Mikhaylov

Jan 24 2020
Solo Date: January 18, 2020
Aircraft: Citabria N990WY
Instructor: Batelle Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

“I remember being interested in airplanes since I was a young kid. My grandpa would take me to UWGG/GOJ and we would watch planes land, taxi and take off. When not at the airport, the aviation would turn my head up with windows-rattling sonic booms coming from silver tips of bright white contrails. As life went on, flying remained just a dream. I want to think that now is a great time to finally live it.” ~Mikhail

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

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