Flight Training

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First Solo Flight – Wangcheng Kang

Jul 24 2020
Solo Date: July 16, 2020
Aircraft: Cessna N98485
Instructor: Zibin He
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

WC started his training in San Diego, but a new job brought him to the Bay Area. Under the tutelage of his Instructor Zibin, he flew his first solo flight in the blue skies around San Jose in a Cessna 172P. Congrats to both on all the hard work!

multi-engine, flight training, AMEL, MEI

New Multi-Engine Pilot – Claudio Basile

Jul 20 2020
Date: July 11, 2020
Certification: Commercial Multi-engine
Instructor: Jen Watson
Aircraft: Twin Comanche N40DA

multi-engine, flight training, AMEL

Congrats to our newest Commercial AMEL pilot, Claudio! He’s already hard at work on his multi-engine instructor (MEI) rating and is buying his first twin-engine airplane, a Beechcraft Baron, which he plans to fly around the continent with his family.

IFR, instrument rating, flight training

New Instrument Rating – Stefan Schaeuble

Jul 19 2020
Date: July 2, 2020
Certification: Instrument Rating
Instructors: Sara Stumpf, Dick Chang & David Waksberg
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

IFR, instrument rating, flight training

“The instrument rating has been my goal for several years to be a safer and better pilot. I was lucky to complete most of my flight training with David Waksberg, checkride preparation with Sara Stumpf and Dick Chang, and orals prep with Ray Owens. After postponing my checkride twice due to COVID, I was very happy to get it done on 7/2 with DPE Scott Rohlfing. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue the journey at Aerodynamic with a commercial certificate.” ~ Stefan

checkride, cessna, 172, CA

New Private Pilot – Lukasz Weber

Jul 18 2020
Date: June 6, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

checkride, cessna, 172, CA

“In early June, on a Saturday morning I flew off to Paso Robles for my checkride with Eric Cook. After 10 months of preparation, I couldn’t wait! The checkride was intense, but really good in terms of checking my knowledge and my skills against real-world scenarios, emphasizing safety and encouraging continued learning. I came back to Reid-Hillview late that day, tired, but absolutely thrilled about all of the new opportunities ahead!

I wouldn’t have passed without my awesome instructor, Cheryl Mitrus, who’s patience and excellent instruction was key. Thanks also go to Marc Young, who taught me how to consistently fly the formal landing approach and wouldn’t let me just do my own thing. To Jason Brown, whose expertise and practical application of the knowledge made the FAR rules logical and much easier to understand. And also to David Waksberg, who started me off with the very first lessons. Lastly, the staff at Aerodynamic Aviation has been exceptional all-around, and I’m so happy to be able to train here!

I’ve also taken to heart what Eric Cook said about the Private Pilot Certificate: it is a license to learn. I’m planning to continue training with Aerodynamic Aviation, starting with the Complex Endorsement, so that I can continue to explore the amazing world of aviation.” ~ Lukasz

First Solo Flight – Dima Martynyuk

Jun 27 2020
Solo Date: June 14, 2020
Aircraft: Cessna N12234
Instructor: Mitchell Templeton
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)

Congrats to Dima and his CFI Mitchell for completing a monumental step – a pilot’s first solo flight.

Citabria, 7ECA, taildragger, tailwheel, CA

New Tailwheel Pilot – Bill Scanlon

Jun 25 2020
Date: June 25, 2020
Certification: Tailwheel Endorsement
Aircraft: Citabria N9091L
Instructor: Lynzie Hudson

Citabria, 7ECA, taildragger, tailwheel, CA

Congrats to our newly minted tailwheel pilot! Bill conquered the mighty taildragger with the help of CFI Lynzie. He plans to take his son flying around California.

Newest Pilots!

Jun 25 2020

Evgenii Sikachev

Date: May 20, 2020
Certification: Instrument Rating
Instructors: James Hwang, Sara Stumpf & Scott Holland
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

Alex Ambrose

Date: May 26, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N98485

Lukasz Weber

Date: June 6, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Cheryl Mitrus
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

Graham Harbman

Date: June 12, 2020
Certification: Certificated Flight Instructor
Instructor: Dick Chang
Aircraft: Cessna N12234

Randy Rerucha

Date: June 22, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Scott Holland
Aircraft: Citabria N9091L

Derrick Gendron

Date: June 22, 2020
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Mitchell Templeton
Aircraft: Cessna N9027H

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
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