Achievements of Aviators at Cal-Aerofab Flight Academy
New Tailwheel Pilots!
Congratulations Ryan and Nicola for earning your tailwheel endorsements from Tiphani and Pat in the mighty Aeronca Champ!
New Commercial Pilot!
Congratulations Nicola on passing your commercial checkride! You've proven your proficiency, dedication, and expertise, taking a significant leap forward in your aviation career. This achievement marks a major milestone as you spread your wings and embark on new opportunities in the world of aviation.
New Private Pilot!
Congratulations Michael and instructor Pat for passing the private pilot checkride. Michael is now a third generation pilot in the family! Great job on all your hard work we are so proud of you!
First Airshow of 2023!
The March AFB Airshow marked an unforgettable kickoff to the 2023 airshow season! The skies roared as powerful jets soared through breathtaking maneuvers, leaving spectators in awe. From awe-inspiring flyovers to adrenaline-pumping aerobatics, the show was a visual feast for aviation enthusiasts of all ages. Looking forward to attending more spectacular airshows to come this year!
New Type Rating and New Job!
Congratulations Tiphani on earning your new Type Rating and securing an exciting new job! Your dedication and hard work have paid off, and we're thrilled to see you take this significant step in your aviation career.
Another Champ Pilot!
Congratulations Jenae on earning your tailwheel endorsement in the Aeronca Champ! Your dedication to aviation is truly inspiring, as you not only volunteer at the Academy but also restore airplanes as both a job and a volunteer. We are grateful for your contributions to our community, and we look forward to seeing you soar to new heights with this new achievement. Special thanks to Pat for his excellent instruction and support!
New Champ Pilot!
Congratulations, Craig! Your dedication and hard work have paid off, and it's an honor to have you as one of our hardest workers at the Academy. As a former 3M engineer and private pilot, you bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. Your recent achievement of getting checked out in our Aeronca Champ is a testament to your passion and commitment to aviation. We look forward to seeing your continued growth and success as a pilot.
First Solo!
Congratulations to Michael on his first solo! Michael has been working on his pilot’s license with his dad, Pat, and fellow instructor, Tiphani, between going to school for engineering and was finally ready to solo after his dad signed him off.
First Solo!
Congratulations to Austin on his first solo! Austin had previously had some flight training, but nothing recent. As he was home for the holidays, he decided to take his flight training more seriously and worked on getting his pre-solo training completed. After six long days of flight training, he was finally ready!
Our First Airshow!
The Flight Academy went to their first airshow at Apple Valley. We took our Champ, Stearman, Chipmunk, and 150 to be on display as part of the STEM Expo/Kids area. There was a lot interest in our planes and we are looking forward to more airshows in the future!
New Chipmunk Pilot!
Congratulations to Dave for soloing the Chipmunk! Dave is a retired USAF Wing Commander flying C-17’s and KC-10’S and is now a tailwheel pilot.
New Jet Pilot!
Congratulations to Tiphani on getting Second-in-Command privileges on the Gulfstream GIV! She recently just reached the 1,000 hour milestone and is looking forward to many more!
New Commercial Pilot!
Congratulations to Jeff on finishing his commercial pilot training and passing his checkride!
New Stearman Pilot!
Congratulations to Jeff for soloing the Stearman after 8 hours! Jeff is currently working towards his commercial rating, but decided to take the time to get checked out in the Stearman.
First Solo!
Congratulations to Keegan on his first solo in the 150! Keegan volunteers for Cal-Aerofab Flight Academy for over two years and at Oshkosh for the past decade.
New Private Pilot
Congratulations to Bailey for getting his private pilot license! He was one of the original students in our group and is excited to start working towards his tailwheel endorsement and his instrument.
A New CFI
Congratulations to Tiphani for becoming a flight instructor. She has been flying at Cal-Aerofab Flight Academy for 3 years and is now helping other young aviators reach their goals.
New A&P
Congratulations to Josh for earning his Airplane Mechanic License! On top of working on becoming a mechanic, he has been learning how to fly the airplanes and help others maintain the airplanes.
Off to Pilot Training
Congratulations to Nicola for starting her military flight training at Vance AFB. She was one of three pilots selected by the 144th Fighter Wing at Fresno National Air Guard to fly F-15C Eagles in the summer of 2020. Her first T-6 flight was of the radial variety!
Chipmunk Restoration
The team brought this de Havilland Chipmunk back to flying condition. The airplane now serves as the ideal tailwheel trainer for students looking to earn their tailwheel endorsement.