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Follow us on Social Media
Feb 22 2017Like anyone, we love our social media!
Did you know you can post your ForeFlight routes on Facebook and then tag us @aerodynamic or @flyaerodynamic? If you have cool videos you’d like us to post to YouTube, we can do that as well. We’ve recently moved our Twitter account from @goodflying. For those of you who follow us or want to follow us, we are now at @flyaerodynamic.
We also have a **new** newsletter coming out once a month with upcoming events, seminars, articles, scholarships, local news, and more. Watch for the first issue to hit your inbox on March 1st!
To Like or Follow Us on social media, click on the links below:
Facebook (@aerodynamic)
Instagram (@aerodynamicaviation)
New Multi-Engine Pilot – Reid Raisanen
Feb 16 2017Date: February 14, 2017
Instructor: David Waksberg
Certification: Multi-engine Commercial Pilot
Guess what Reid was up to this Valentine’s Day? Earning a first-time checkride pass…multi-engine add-on to Commercial Pilot Certificate! Reid is a flight instructor at another great flight school in the Bay Area, and he came to AeroDynamic to fly our Twin Comanche with Instructor David. Congrats to them both on this hard-earned rating. Thanks for flying with us and have fun at the airlines!
“I started flying at 16 in Minnesota and since the economy improved, picked it up again seriously at 26. Since I have all requirements for ATP but multi, I asked around SCFC, where I instruct, for a recommendation. I learned about David and Aerodynamic, flew until it was done. People were friendly, the location was solid, and the airplane was maintained well. Next I will continue the airline interview process. Hope the economy stays strong!” ~ Reid
Examiner: Yuzo Wakita
Aircraft: Twin Comanche N40DA
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)
First Solo Flight – Eric Jones
Feb 11 2017Solo Date: February 5, 2017
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Batelle, Jason, Grainne & Jen
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Traveling all the way from Arizona, Eric Jones made a commitment to himself that his first solo flight would be in a taildragger…and he did it! Using his first vacation in years, student pilot and aircraft fueler from Phoenix flew with quite a few of AeroDynamic’s tailwheel instructors and was able to solo just before departing for home. We are so honored he made the trip here to fly with us and accomplished what he set out to do – tailwheel endorsement and first solo flight. Way to be awesome, Eric! We wish you lots of luck with finishing your pilot’s license and hope you come back someday soon to do some more taildragging with us.
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 – Edan Ben-Moshe
Jan 31 2017Date: January 28, 2017
Instructor: Jen Delp-Mallet
Certification: Private Pilot
After soloing a taildragger with us at 16 years old, Edan earned his Private Pilot License in a Citabria at 17! Talk about bragging rights. Shortly after holding up his temporary airmen certificate, Edan took to the skies with his first passenger, his dad, a Private Pilot who earned his instrument rating with AeroDynamic’s chief instructor Jen. We hope to see the family traditions continue. Edan plans to attend aviation college after graduating high school this summer and continue on with a professional pilot career. We are so honored to have been part of his journey and can’t wait to see all he will accomplish. The biggest hurdle may be getting his dad to be a tailwheel pilot, too…
Examiner: Scott Rohlfing
Aircraft: Citabria N1806G
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 – 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
First Solo Flight – Greg Seibert
Dec 05 2016Solo Date: November 22, 2016
Aircraft: Evektor SportStar
Instructor: David Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Congrats to Greg on his first solo! Greg flew 3 takeoffs and landings at Reid-Hillview (KRHV) in the SportStar with Instructor David watching carefully.
“I’ve always been fascinated by things that fly. Becoming a pilot was on my ‘bucket list.’ On the first flight with David when he said, ‘Take the controls,’ I was forever hooked. Major Awesomeness ensued. It was the first time I was sitting in something that I was flying.
I’ve been flying various model aircraft using radio signals for over 30 years. Last year when the FAA announced its rules for piloting drones professionally, it finally gave me the justification for spending the time and money to become a pilot.
I’ve been an engineer for 36 years and am looking forward to doing something different. My Dream Retirement Job would be to fly UAS for a public safety organization. Getting my pilot’s license is the first step toward realizing that dream.
First Solo Flight – Martin Ellis
Nov 28 2016Solo Date: November 22, 2016
Aircraft: Evektor SportStar
Instructor: Jason Brown
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
He’s rocking out his flight training toward a Sport Pilot Certificate. On fair-weather Tuesday, Martin passed the solo mark on his way to that coveted license-to-fly! With the checkride not far off, he’s well on his way to realizing a life-long dream 🙂
“I’ve wanted to fly for almost as long as I can remember…. over the years though the timing never seemed right…. too busy at work, not enough spare cash, weather too unpredictable (I lived in London for about a decade…). About a year ago I moved to the bay area, and thought ‘it’s now or never’. One flight with Jason, and I was hooked! I find that from the moment I arrive at KRHV, to the moment I leave, all the stresses of life are gone and I’m 100% focused on flying, and love every minute of it!” ~ Martin