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CFI Godfrey Watson joins AeroDynamic
Dec 24 2011
Godfrey Watson
A warm welcome to Godfrey Watson who is joining us as an instructor. Godfrey has been flying taildraggers for many years and was one of the very few people Amelia Reid would let fly even if they missed their 30 day tailwheel currency.
Godfrey has airplane single and multi engine land and sea on his Commercial Pilot license and he is a Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Instructor, Advanced Ground Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor.
We are delighted that Godfrey has joined us!
New Taildragger Pilot: Jumpei Tani
Dec 24 2011Congratulations to Jumpei Tani who earned his tailwheel endorsement with AeroDynamic CFI Rich Digrazzi.
Jumpei Tani
Jumpei is already a Commercial Pilot in Single and Multi engine airplanes, and his next goal is to get an Airbus 320 type rating.
Go Jumpei!
Going Solo: Tyler Nieland
Dec 17 2011
Tyler and 32G
A new fledgling has fled the nest! Congratulations to Tyler Nieland who sucessfully completed three solo takeoffs and landing in Citabria 5032G under AeroDynamic Instructor Jim Grant’s watchful gaze.
Well done Tyler and Jim.
New taildragger: Steve Huston
Dec 11 2011
Steve and CItabria 06G
We have a new tailwheel pilot, Steve Huston. Steve flew with AeroDynamic instructor Jim Grant and earned his tailwheel endorsement in Citabria 1806G.
Well done Steve and Jim.
New Pilot: Maggie Gales passes Private Pilot checkride!
Dec 09 2011
- Maggie and Citabria 32G
Maggie Gales passes Private Pilot checkride with Examiner Sherry Diamond in Citabria 5032G. Congratulations Maggie!! And to her CFI Mark Guerrero. Don’t eat the whole cake all at once!
News: Avionics Upgrade for Cessna 616SF (C172RG)
Dec 07 2011Everyone who has flown 616SF will be delighted to hear that we have started a comprehensive avionics upgrade.
The upgrade includes:
Garmin GTN 650 touch screen WAAS IFR GPS/NAV/COM/ILS
King KX155 digital flip flop NAV/COM
PS Engineering intercom
Trig TT21 Mode S transponder with TIS traffic
JPI EDM700 4 cylinder engine monitor
Garmin GTN 650
What is the GTN 650?
It is Garmin’s replacement for the GNS430W. No more twiddling knobs, everything is accessed from the touch screen! Full WAAS capability including LPV and GPS approaches as well as all the usual ILS/VOR and communications capabilities. So instrument students and instrument rated pilots will not be limited to airports that have an ILS or VOR approach, but virtually any local airport will be open to them.
For example, Salinas has a GPS approach to runway 13 with minimums of 455′ agl and an LPV approach to 31 with a DA of 200′ agl, Hollister has an LPV approach with minimums of just 323′ agl, Reid Hillview LPV 31R minimums are only 379′ AGL)
Of course, VFR pilots can use it too.
There will be a learning curve, so I suggest you start preparing now:
Here’s a link to the Garmin manuals download page.
Here’s a link to Garmin’s training center videos.
There’s also a simulator for your PC downloadable from Garmin.
As for the Trig transponder, check out the Trig Web Page
The JPI Instruments documentation download Web page is here.
We have added Garmin GTN 650 and Trig TT21 manual links to our Useful Documents web page. Take a look.
So the good old plane is getting some great new avionics. I hope you’ll like what you see and fly her a lot!
Zdravko
News: Customer Appreciation Holiday Quiz
Dec 05 2011
Puzzled?
We are trying something new!
On our Web site, you’ll find our Customer Appreciation Quiz. Real questions which will challenge, educate and amuse you. And real prizes – a $100 gift card for Harris Ranch Restaurant Inn and Shop, “The Proficient Pilot” boxed set of three books by Barry Schiff, and three AeroDynamic T-shirts.
Who can try the quiz? Anyone, but not everyone can win.
Who can win? Any customer who has flown with us during 2011.
Who cannot win? Staff and families of AeroDynamic Aviation, or anyone who has not flown with us in 2011. But of course you can still try the quiz and maybe win bragging rights for your erudition.
Other rules are on the Quiz Web page. Quiz closes midnight PST on Dec 25 and results will be announced on Dec 27.
Enjoy!
Zdravko
New Pilot: Mikhail Nikonchuk
Dec 03 2011
Mikhail, Vince and N98485
From the cold winter of St Petersburg in Russia, Mikhail Nikonchuk came to sunny California to finish his Private Pilot training. Despite sunny turning more into foggy and windy California, he managed it!
Mikhail took his checkride with Examiner Vince Nastro in Cessna 98485.
Congratulations Mikhail, and thanks to Instructors Erik Schmidt, Rich Digrazzi and Dick Chang. All worked hard together to make the best use of the time and the weather.
Going Solo: William Lo
Nov 25 2011
William, Jim and 06G
On a beautiful sunny morning, while his instructor, Jim Grant, waited below, William Lo made three great take offs and landings in Citabria N1806G. William is the latest AeroDynamic Aviation student to fly solo!
Congratulations to William and Jim!
New Instrument Pilot: Andy Werback
Nov 24 2011
Congratulations to Andy Werback who passed his Instrument Rating checkride in Cessna 54102.
Well done Andy, and thanks also go to AeroDynamic Instructor Erik, with help also from Rich, Sergey and Dick.
Andy escaped before we could pose him in front of the plane, so here’s a picture of him holding the Bronze Lindy he captured at Oshkosh.
Stop press: we managed to catch Andy and photograph him in full IFR gear ready to tackle the clouds 😉