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First Solo Flight – Henrique Rodrigues
Mar 06 2017Solo Date: February 25, 2017
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Eric Curtis
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
We love seeing fledgling pilots leave the nest and soar around the airport patch. AeroDynamic sends a big “way to go” to Henrique and his instructor Eric for this first adventure flying an airplane solo. Henrique took Cessna 61637 off Runway 31R for 3 full-stop takeoffs and landings with Eric watching carefully from the sidelines. Next up…cross-country flight training, more solos, and then checkride preparation. Have fun!
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!
First Solo Flight – Jason Gordon
Jan 23 2017Solo Date: January 1, 2017
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Jason Brown
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“My solo was 3 takeoffs and 3 landings at KRHV. I’ve wanted to fly since I was about 9 years old when a Delta pilot let me into the cockpit during a flight to Hawaii & let me keep the flight plan when we landed. I’ve been chipping away at my private pilots license since 2011 & love the freedom that flying gives you. Not just flying over busy freeways to get somewhere faster but the way it takes all of your attention and focus away from work, bills, and everything else that can consume your mind and forces you to be present in the moment. My goal getting started was to be able to travel more quickly and easily but since joining the aviation community am now planning to join the CAP and considering becoming a CFI so I can share my love of aviation with others.” ~ Jason
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
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
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 – Christian Goetz
Nov 09 2016Solo Date: November 4, 2016
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: Tom Morley
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Christian joined an elite club of aviators who take that first solo flight in a taildragger (conventional-gear aircraft). He began his flight training with Instructors Jason and Batelle, and recently took to the skies alone with Instructor Tom watching from the ground at Reid-Hillview Airport. He’s picking up steam in his training and should enjoy the next phase of cross-country flying as he gets to explore the beautiful fall landscape of California in the fall. Have fun!!
First Solo – Sheryl Martin
Jul 14 2016Solo Date: June 30, 2016
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Instructor: Ron Vlastelica
Location: New Jerusalem, CA (1Q4)
Sheryl Martin flew her first solo at New Jerusalem airport, her second at San Martin airport (E16) and her third at her primary training airport, Reid-Hillview. She began training with Ron in her Cessna 172 with 180-hp.
Sheryl moves to Auburn in a few days but plans to continue her flight training with us, moving into cross-country training and checkride prep. Her instructor says she has done a great job with studying and made fast progress.
First Solo – Adam Lantos
Jun 25 2016Solo Date: June 11, 2016
Aircraft: Citabria 7ECA
Instructor: David Pease
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
Like many of us, Adam’s interest in planes started when he was just a kid. And like so many of us, his addiction hit when another AeroDynamic pilot took him for a glider flight and Citabria flight. This led him to an introductory flight in the Cessna and Citabria, but he felt (ahem…correctly) that tailwheel was much more fun.
For right now Adam doesn’t have serious plans for a career in aviation; he just wants the experience of learning a new skill and mastering it. He feels flying the Citabria demands precision and discipline, but also rewards him with a feeling of accomplishment and a stronger pair of legs 🙂
Once the hard work of earning his Private Pilot’s License is out of the way, Adam plans to explore, have the perspective from above (watching all the little people stuck in traffic), and go to various places. Eventually he plans to continue his training to include some basic aerobatics, mountain flying lessons, and maybe take up IFR when he decides to venture out of California and travel farther afield.
From all of us aviation addicts – way to go and keep up the hard work, Adam!