Wayforward News

Reggie Campbell's First Solo

Fri, 14 May 2010 12:00 Z

I'm used to the look of fear etched into the pre-solo pilot's face as I climb out of the airplane. Reggie didn't have that look. It was more of a ...

Aaron Harkness's First Solo

Fri, 07 May 2010 12:00 Z

I was sitting on a bench with a friend, Ron Trumble, watching Aaron do his three loops around the pattern. The airplane was at exactly the same altitude at each...

Mike Contros passes his Private Pilot checkride

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:00 Z

Mike Contros: 4 years, 4 airplanes, 5 instructors, obstacles and problems. The checkride was started January 14, discontinued due to weather, and then my airplane was down for scheduled maintenance.

He overcame all challenges, and passed on his first attempt...

Paula Castillo passes her Private Pilot checkride

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 12:00 Z

Paula is the first Civil Air Patrol cadet that I've taught through to the checkride. She's already on to bigger and better things: she has the two required nominations (from Senator Akaka and Congresswoman Mazie Hirono) to apply for the U.S. Naval Academy.

She had asked me...

Tim Pesanka passes his Private Pilot checkride

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00 Z

6 months, 30.6 hours of dual instruction, around 12 hours of solo, and another Civil Air Patrol senior member becomes a private pilot.

That was fast!

Bill Monroe passes his Private Pilot checkride

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00 Z

Bill has an interesting story: he took flying lessons some time ago (how long ago? ask him) and for whatever reason, didn't finish up.

I ran into him at the Civil Air Patrol, and flew with him for...

Tim Pesanka's First Solo

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 12:00 Z

I find that people who use Microsoft's Flight Simulator, or any PC flight simulator, to be better prepared for flight instruction.

Yes, there's a moment of confusion when steering with the pedals...

Kawika's First Solo

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 12:00 Z

After two flights in the Civil Air Patrol airplane and five (5!) flights in my airplane, N41282, Kawika Kekaualua flew solo.

Wow.

Solomon Singer passes his Private Pilot checkride

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:00 Z

Talented students: a flight instructor merely needs to point them in the right direction and ...

Paula Castillo's First Solo

Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:00 Z

When a student of mine does a couple of touch-and-go's (typical take-off and landing practice) without any help from me, I decide they're ready to solo. I tell them to stop on a taxi-way, and I climb...

Andres Frate passes his Private Pilot checkride

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:00 Z

He's a good stick, the D.P.E. said after the flight.

Congratulations, Andres!

Richard "Dickie" Wilson passes his Private Pilot Checkride

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 12:00 Z

Dale, one of the excellent Hawai'i Flight Academy instructors, needed time with his family; so he passed his student, Dickie Wilson, over to me.

I only needed to fly with...

Solomon's First Solo

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:00 Z

Flight instructors in older aircraft were seated behind the student. The instructor would pull on the shirt of the student...

Jesse Hahne passes his Private Pilot Checkride!

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:00 Z

Jesse took his check-ride - excuse me, his Private Pilot Practical Test - with George Morikawa on March 21, 2008. George has done hundreds, if not thousands, of check-rides, so I think he knows his airplanes. More importantly, he knows...

Jesse's First Solo

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:00 Z

Jesse came to me with an extensive aviation background: Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, flight instruction on the mainland.

9 flights later, I'm climbing out of my airplane at the runup area of Runway 8, Hilo International Airport, and Jesse motors off...