CFII
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Our Chief Instructor, Jen Watson, earns “Master CFI”
Jan 24 2020AeroDynamic’s Chief Flight Instructor, Jen Watson, has been awarded Master CFI accreditation by the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI). This distinction is held by only an average of 300 flight instructors per year!
“The NAFI Master Flight Instructor designation is a national accreditation for aviation educators that is based on a system of advanced professional standards and peer review. The designation is granted by NAFI and has two levels: the NAFI Associate Master Flight Instructor, and the NAFI Master Flight Instructor or Master Ground Instructor. These accreditation’s publicly recognize aviation educators who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community, and they set professional standards to which all professional aviation instructors and educators can aspire.
Both levels of the accreditation process focus primarily on the individual’s training activity and evaluation of pilots as well as his or her experience—the foundations of what an instructor is able to pass along to his or her students. They emphasize active instruction and pilot evaluation, not simply taking courses or the tenure of an individual’s instructor certificate. They are not honorary awards that recognize long-time service; rather, they are recognition for the individual who continues to practice aviation education at the highest level.
Accreditation requires a rigorous process of on-going professional activity. Like a flight instructor certificate, NAFI Master Instructor accreditation’s must be renewed every 24 months to assure a dedication to continuous involvement.”
New CFII – Adam Sciupac
Nov 30 2017
Congrats to one of our own! Adam passed his Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) checkride just a few hours ago. He should also have his Commercial Multi-Engine Certificate in a few days. Adam began his flight training with AeroDynamic a couple of years ago and has progressed very quickly. We are so proud of you, Adam!
New CFII: Jen Delp-Mallet
May 30 2012Congratulations to our very own Jen Delp-Mallet for passing her CFII checkride with Examiner Sherry Diamond. Way to go Jen!!
Zdravko and new CFII Jen
News: FAA Clarifies Instrument Currency Requirements
Jan 27 2012
Clarification: IFR Currency Requirements
Notice Number: NOTC3489
Technical Amendment to IFR Currency Requirements
Read also 61.57(c) – Click on FAA Logo to go to complete text of 14CFR61.57 (Op Ed)
14 CFR 61.57 (d) describes the requirements for an instrument proficiency check (IPC), and includes a description of when an IPC is necessary. While certain exceptions apply, a pilot may reestablish instrument currency that has been lapsed for more than 6 months only through obtaining an IPC. On December 16, 2011, the FAA issued a technical correction to section 61.57 (d) in order to clarify the meaning of the regulation. This clarification was simply just that, a clarification, and no change to the application of the rule was intended. As the FAA explained in that technical correction (emphasis added):
The revised language makes it clear that a pilot who has failed to maintain instrument currency for more than six calendar months may not serve as pilot in command under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR until completing an instrument proficiency check. A pilot whose instrument currency has been lapsed for less than six months may continue to reestablish instrument currency by performing the tasks and maneuvers required in paragraph (c).
Notwithstanding the exceptions on 61.57 (e), the following timeline illustrates the correct application of 61.57 (d):
January 31, 2012: A pilot is no longer instrument current because they no longer meet the recent experience requirements found in 61.57 (c). This pilot may no longer act as pilot-in-command (PIC) of an aircraft operating under IFR or in weather conditions less than the minimums prescribed for VFR.
February 1, 2012 to July 31, 2012: The pilot has between these dates in order to obtain the recent experience requirements found in 61.57 (c). This experience may be obtained through instruction, the use of a safety pilot, or through a simulator / training device.
August 1, 2012: If by this date the pilot had not regained instrument currency, the only method by which a pilot may become instrument current again is by obtaining an IPC.
The FAA has become aware of some recent blogs, emails, and website comments that contain confusion about the technical correction and the current meaning of the rule. This FAAST Blast will hopefully alleviate that confusion. For additional information, please review the latest technical correction to 61.57 at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-16/pdf/2011-32333.pdf
New Taildragger Pilot: Ben Ellsworth
Jan 10 2012
Ben, Zdravko and 1806G
On a very windy Saturday afternoon, Ben Ellsworth got a chance to prove he really can tame the taildragger and earned his tailwheel endorsement from Zdravko
Ben is an experienced CFI, teaching at AeroDynamic Aviation Salinas, but he never had a chance to get his tailwheeling badge till now.
Congratulations Ben, next comes the back seat checkout!
CFI Godfrey Watson joins AeroDynamic
Dec 24 2011
Godfrey Watson
A warm welcome to Godfrey Watson who is joining us as an instructor. Godfrey has been flying taildraggers for many years and was one of the very few people Amelia Reid would let fly even if they missed their 30 day tailwheel currency.
Godfrey has airplane single and multi engine land and sea on his Commercial Pilot license and he is a Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument Instructor, Advanced Ground Instructor and Instrument Ground Instructor.
We are delighted that Godfrey has joined us!
News: Garmin GTN 650 coming for Cessna 98485
Apr 19 2011We are installing the new Garmin GTN 650 touch screen WAAS IFR GPS in Cessna 485, and we plan to install them in our other GPS challenged Cessnas over time. The first unit has arrived, we re just waiting for the CDI display and the shop slot. Hopefully 98485 will be done before the start of May.
Garmin GTN 650
What is the GTN 650?
It is Garmin’s replacement for the GNS430W. No more twiddling knobs, everything is accessed from the touch screen! Full WAAS capability including LPV and GPS approaches as well as all the usual ILS/VOR and communications capabilities. So instrument students and instrument rated pilots will not be limited to airports that have an ILS or VOR approach, but virtually any local airport will be open to them.
For example, Salinas has a GPS approach to runway 13 with minimums of 455′ agl and an LPV approach to 31 with a DA of 200′ agl, Hollister has an LPV approach with minimums of just 323′ agl, Reid Hillview LPV 31R minimums are only 379′ AGL)
Of course, VFR pilots can use it too.
There will be a learning curve, so I suggest you start preparing now:
Here’s a link to the Garmin manuals download page.
Here’s a link to Garmin’s training center videos.
I am looking forward to trying it out!
News: New Instrument Rated Pilot – Brian Hsu
Feb 23 2011
Congratulations to our own Brian Hsu who aced his instrument rating checkride. Brian had previously started on the checkride, and had to turn back because of airplane problems. This time he had to fly to Watsonville to meet with the examiner, Sherry Diamond, but there were no problems and he earned glowing praise from her.
Well done Brian!
November 2010
Nov 30 2010
Joe Rogers soloes
Congratulations to Joe Rogers who soled a Citabria after patient tuition from Erik Schmidt. Well done to both the newly fledged pilot and his CFI.
Matt Miguel Private Pilot
Another newly minted Private Pilot takes to the skies. Well done to Matt Miguel and CFI Seth Howell.
Congratulations to Terri Griffith who aced her Private Pilot checkride with Examiner Sherry Diamond. Well done Terri and her CFI Jim Grant.
Well done to AeroDynamic CFI Mark Guerrero who added his Instrument Instructor rating to his CFI to make him a CFII!
We are delighted to announce our partnership with Cloud 9 Living who are now offering our introductory flight lessons through their web site.
Check out Ladies Love Taildraggers. Some of our own ladies are featured there.
Another certified pilot! Peter Barone earned his Private Pilot License with examiner Dan George. Congratulations Peter, and his CFI Seth Howell.
Congratulations to Chris Vervais who earned his Private Pilot license from examiner Sherry Diamond. Well done Chris and his CFI Jim Grant.
Another fledgling leaves the nest! Well done Jon duSaint soloed in a Citabria.
A new certified pilot! Congratulations to Thomas Carlson who passed his Sport Pilot checkride with examiner Lou Fields. Well done to Thomas and his CFI Dan Most.
Formation training! We are holding our first Formation Flying Clinic this weekend. This session is full, but email us if you are interested in the next one. Check out the video of five of our Citabrias in formation at the 50th anniversary party
Brady Eidson 1st solo
First solo of November! Congratulations to Brady Eidson who soloed Citabria 32G after training with Grainne. Well done to both.