Student Pilots

PRIVATE PILOT

Congratulations are in order to Brian Selle on a MAJOR accomplishment today. He successfully passed his private pilot check ride with Brad Smith. Brian did a nice job. He did mention it was a lot of work.

A big thanks to Brad Smith for him squeezing Brian in his busy schedule to accommodate the check ride. Thanks, Brad.

Great job, Brian. Now you don't have to listen to me anymore. You are now a genuine pilot. Fly often and fly safe.

Dennis M

SOLO FLIGHT

Stephanie Recchia flew solo in the Cessna 150!!

At approximately 1722 on the 8th of December 2020, Stephanie Recchia, did solo the mighty Cessna 150 in the traffic pattern at Majors Field.

She did a fine job and the aircraft is still usable without any major overhaul required!!!!

After the solo, Stephanie did mention that the airplane performed better without all that extra weight and that it was much quieter without that guy in the right seat yacking all the time.

Congratulations, Stephanie. You are now part of a unique group - PILOTs

Dennis M

SOLO FLIGHT

I am pleased to announce that Brian T Selle did slip the surly bonds of earth and successfully flew the mighty Cessna 150 alone and unafraid yesterday evening. He noted that the airplane performed better when it was 200 lbs lighter !
Congratulations, Brian. Job well done.

From other club members:
Congratulations, Brian! Great job. Now the real fun begins.
Congratulation Brian. Well done.
Congratulations again Brian. It’s great see the flying club and Dennis is still producing fine aviators to fill the beautiful evening skies we had last night. You will remember this experience for the rest of your life so, revel in it.
Good job Brian. Keep up the good work, and keep flying often

SOLO FLIGHT

Marc Lilly soloed the mighty Cessna 150 yesterday at approximately 6 PM. Brad Smith, his instructor, felt compelled to launch him on his own, saying "The time is nigh". Good decision because apparently Marc did a wonderful job and remarked how much faster the aircraft climbed when it was 185 pounds lighter. Happens every time!

Congratulations Marc, job well done. Welcome to the community of pilots.

PRIVATE PILOT

We are happy to announce that Robert McEnaney successfully completed his Private Pilot Practical test on 19 July 2019. Congratulations, Robert. Congratulations to his instructor, Dennis Mathis, as well. Well done gentlemen !!

I am pleased and proud to announce that Robert McEnaney completed all the requirements Friday evening to obtain that coveted piece of paper "Temporary Airman Certificate ". He'll be getting the permanent private pilot certificate in the very near future.
It has been a long and sometimes tortuous path for Robert to achieve his dream of becoming a private pilot. Dogged determination and a "never give up" attitude paid off.
Welcome to the ranks of a very exclusive club, Robert !
Dennis Mathis

SOLO FLIGHT

Robert McEnaney soloed the Cessna 150 on Monday, November 5, 2018. His instructor, Dennis Mathis, remarked "It is with a great deal of pleasure (and a little relief) that I announce that Robert B. McEnaney did fly the Cessna today without his instructor aboard. HE SOLO'd !! He did a pretty fine job and the aircraft appears to be usable again. Congratulations Robert. Well Done!!"

SOLO FLIGHT

Yesterday (12 July 2019) at precisely 1908, Marshall Stanford successfully landed the Mighty Cessna 150 without his instructor on board. He completed two more in like fashion. It must have been okay because after parking the aircraft, all the pieces of the aircraft seemed to be in place. I think the Cessna will fly again :)

Marshall did make the comment that the airplane "zoomed " after all the extra weight exited the aircraft. Amazing how physics works.

Congratulations, Marshall. good things are yet to come.

Dennis M

PRIVATE PILOT
Bill successfully completed and passed his check ride today and is now a REAL PILOT! Congratulations to Bill and more congratulations to Don Reeder, his instructor.
Well done, Bill and Don.
Dennis M

Congratulations Bill and Don! That was quite the journey Bill but you hung in there and got it done. Now, time to have some fun! Well done Mr. Reeder.
Denis R.

SOLO FLIGHT
On an evening in the early summer 2017, Mr. Bill Schatz, a member of the Majors Flying Club, did successfully attempt and complete his FIRST SOLO FLIGHT followed by three successful landings. The sunset was particularly brilliant that evening as his instructor Don Reeder documented the memorable event and the post-solo grin in the pictures below. Bill was a student in the Majors Flying Club 2015 Ground School class and is taking advantage of the flight training offered through our flying club to qualified club members.

Congratulations Bill on taking the mighty Cessna for a spin around the pattern without the aid and guidance of your instructor.

Congratulations Mr. Reeder for getting another student to their first solo.

PRIVATE PILOT
We are happy to announce that Nathaniel Bennett successfully completed his Private Pilot Practical test on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Congratulations, Nathaniel. Congratulations to his instructor, John Pitkin, as well. Well done gentlemen !!

SOLO FLIGHT
Nathaniel Bennett soloed the Cessna 150 on Thursday, December 28, 2017. Said it "was fun ! ". His instructor, John Pitkin, remarked that it was a "text book" initial solo. Congratulations to both Nathaniel and John

PRIVATE PILOT
Zach Miller successfully completed his check ride today, Monday, April 30, 2018 (at Caddo Mills) in the club's Cessna 150. Some planning and aircraft ferry work had to be accomplished over the weekend to support a Monday check ride due to runaway closures at Majors but I doubt he minded especially considering the results. Zach said it went fine.

Congratulations Zach and his instructor Dennis Mathis. Well done!

SOLO Flight
Congratulations are in order for Zach Miller who soloed the mighty Cessna 150 today (Thursday, 16 Nov). A little crosswind, a change in runway use and a Q-400 departure interrupting his third landing did not deter Zach from achieving his goal. Well Done, Zach !

Note the big smile on Zach's face after completing his solo !!

PRIVATE PILOT
Josh Stone completed his check ride today, Tuesday, April 24, 2018, with Brad Smith. I don't know which one has the best smile. Josh's comment after the check ride, "Smooth as butter ". Not sure what that means but it must be good.

Congratulations Josh, well done. Congratulations to his instructor, Dennis Mathis, for successfully instructing another private pilot.

SOLO FLIGHT
Last evening, Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at around 1650, Josh Stone unabashed and unafraid, flew the mighty Cessna 150 in the pattern without any assistance. He did remark how the Cessna seemed to climb a lot faster without his instructor on board. Good job, Josh. You have now joined the unique league of AVIATORS !!