Solo - Kyle!

Congratulations to Kyle who soloed on August 11, 2012!  Kyle had started flying a couple of years earlier and then got very busy with work.  He came back recently to resume his training.  This was actually his second solo but he said it certainly felt like the first as he smiled from ear to ear.

Private Pilot - Masha!

Congratulations to Masha - she passed her Private Pilot checkride on Aug 9, 2012! After leaving the country several times on business trips, Masha decided it was time to get this done.  So flying three times per week did the trick.

First Solo - Amanda!

Congratulations to Amanda who soloed on 07/08/12!  Amanda has been practicing diligently with lessons twice a week while managing a full time job and caring for her and her husband's new son.  I bet she can't wait to take him for a flight.

Private Pilot - Willie!

Congratulations to Willie who passed his checkride on May 17, 2012 and is now a proud Private Pilot!  Willie was determined to get everything finished up by a certain date as he and his wife were expecting a baby in the next 30 days and things were getting a bit hectic.

First Solo - Scott!

Congratulations to Scott who soloed on April 17th, 2012!

As Spring arrived this year, so arrived the winds.  It seemed that every time Scott showed up for a lesson, the winds provided a challenge with either high velocity, gusts, or shifting direction.  Although this was great experience, it was not what the new pilot wants when learning how to land.

Scott, being the weekend flyer, persisted, and then with the weather forecast for relatively manageable winds for the coming week, I suggested an extra lesson during the week to take advantage of the great conditions.  This also provided for a repeat lesson close together to have those muscle memory skills stay in tact.

Even though Scott had to take a day off work, I think he was very pleased with the outcome, as evidenced by his grin from ear to ear.

First solo - Ioan!

Congratulations to Ioan (John) who soloed on Mar 21, 2012! 

Ioan grew up with aviation in his family, with his father flying in the Romanian Air Force.  Wanting his son to be diversified in his skills, his father insisted that Ioan learn the piano and accordion instead of learning to fly.  It wasn’t until much later that Ioan realized he could actually learn to fly an airplane.

With a 10 kt headwind, Ioan accomplished his requisite 3 landings and became a proud new solo pilot.  After the flight we went out to dinner to celebrate.  The waitress asked us if we were celebrating anything and I said “Yes, Ioan just soloed.”  She said “congratulations on being single!”  Ha!  I tried to explain what soloing meant, but I could tell she really didn’t get it.

First Solo!

Congratulations to Masha who soloed on February 22nd, 2012! 

As we were practicing landings in anticipation of Masha's first solo, the wind was increasing.  You really want that perfect day for a first solo as you want everything to go just right.

I was glad that her landings were turning out well so we could do this before things changed too much.  She dropped me off at the instructors bench, which had recently been removed at Palo Alto :-( , and she was off for her memorable experience.  

Sure enough the winds picked up but mostly down the runway and she handled it beautifully.