7ECA
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First Solo Flight – Brian Kuhl
Apr 02 2020Solo Date: March 27, 2020
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
Instructor: Ivan Stanojevic
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“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

First Solo Flight – Mikhail Mikhaylov
Jan 24 2020Solo Date: January 18, 2020
Aircraft: Citabria N990WY
Instructor: Batelle Waksberg
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“I remember being interested in airplanes since I was a young kid. My grandpa would take me to UWGG/GOJ and we would watch planes land, taxi and take off. When not at the airport, the aviation would turn my head up with windows-rattling sonic booms coming from silver tips of bright white contrails. As life went on, flying remained just a dream. I want to think that now is a great time to finally live it.” ~Mikhail

First Solo Flight – Matt Cole
Nov 20 2019Solo Date: November 3, 2019
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
Instructor: Scott Holland
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“My grandfather is one of my life mentors and some of my best memories growing up are of listening to his stories about flying an A-20 during WWII and the Korean War. For me, it has always been a life goal to become a pilot and to share that skill with my grandfather. Before he passed last March, I was able to tell him that I had begun training to become a Pilot. I’m excited to have gotten to this milestone and my wife and I are starting to plan out where we will fly after my training is finished.” ~Matt

New Private Pilot – Adam Jansen
Jun 24 2019Date: June 14, 2019
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Scott Holland
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
“Earning the PPL has been very rewarding. It took a little over a year of dedication and hard work to earn the certificate, but I am happy that I finally did it. Next up: mountain flying, aerobatics, and maybe a seaplane rating!” ~ Adam

First Solo Flight – Edgar Xiong
Dec 17 2018Solo Date: December 3, 2018
Aircraft: Citabria N9091L
Instructor: Grainne Gilvarry
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“Aviation has been in my life since day one from frequent overseas travel. Flying was always the dream, but I was hesitant to chase it due to a medical condition. After encouragement and help from fellow friends and CFI’s, I’ve got my medical and am pursuing that dream! After my PPL, I’m eager to go for a Commercial License so I can continue to explore the vast azure skies.” ~ Edgar Xiong

First Solo Flight – Adam Jansen
Dec 07 2018Solo Date: December 2, 2018
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
Instructor: Scott Holland
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“I grew up about 50 miles from Oshkosh, so my family used to check out EAA AirVenture every year. Once I took a discovery flight during college, it became a goal to earn my PPL. I’m looking forward to making it happen!” ~ Adam
Way to make it happen in a taildragger! We tend to think it’s a good thing to solo in a Citabria 😉

First Solo Flight – Randy Rerucha
Nov 26 2018Solo Date: October 27, 2018
Aircraft: Citabria 9091L
Instructor: Scott Holland
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“This is my second solo since soloing years ago at the age of 17, but this time it’s in a tailwheel aircraft. I’m looking forward to earning my PPL and continuing my flight training beyond.” ~ Randy
Flying solo is an incredible experience too few people ever realize. To get the experience twice is remarkably lucky. Go, Randy!!!

First Solo Flight – Ruofan Ding
Sep 25 2018Solo Date: September 11, 2018
Aircraft: Citabria 9091L
Instructor: Batelle Rachmian
Location: San Jose, CA (KRHV)
“I really liked riding roller coasters when I was a kid, and flying gives me the same feeling as riding on a roller coaster: a sense of excitement and freedom. I hope soon I can do aerobatics and say the same line Maverick said in the movie Top Gun, ‘Because I was inverted.’ ” ~ Ruofan

New Private Pilot – Alex Teplixky
Sep 25 2018Date: September 16, 2018
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Jason Brown
Aircraft: Citabria N9091L
While taking a sabbatical from work, and despite a month of travel during training, Alex completed an accelerated Private Pilot course in the Citabria and earned his license this month. Hard work and perseverance allowed him to achieve his goal. Special thanks to all the instructors who helped him get enough ground and flight hours to make this happen. Well done, Alex!!!

New Private Pilot – Chris Severs
Jun 05 2018Date: June 2, 2018
Certification: Private Pilot
Instructor: Lynzie Hudson
Aircraft: Citabria N2508Z
Chalk up another victory to Instructor Lynzie. She guided Chris to a first-time pass of his Private Pilot checkride. In the words of the examiner during their break between oral and practical testing, “he’s on fire!” Chris aced his checkride 🙂 We’re excited to see him out and about with his new license.