Hello Flying Musicians Association! As this is my first post after being named the 2023 FMA Solo Scholarship recipient and ambassador I would like to thank all involved with the Flying Musicians Association from President Mr. Zapp to all of you wonderful nominees, who I encourage to stay involved as many more opportunities are on the horizon! I would also like to thank Mr. Zapp again, Gleim Aviation, MyGoFlight, AOPA, Hartzell, Concorde, Sporty’s Flight Gear, and more for the wonderful flight training materials provided to me (depicted in the picture). From my experiences as a member of Civil Air Patrol Squadron 36, EAA Chapter 62, and now Flying Musicians Association, I can say that if aviation or music is your dream, the more involved you make yourself in the aviation or music community, the more opportunities you will receive. As the 2023 FMA Solo nominee and as an ambassador to FMA, I promise I will raise awareness for our community, and share every aviation and music related opportunity I receive to do my small part in helping everyone achieve their dreams.
As I begin my journey towards the first milestone in my dream of being a commercial airline pilot, obtaining my private pilot’s license, I decided to share my plans for flight training. I will begin flight training at AeroDynamic Aviation, a flight school based out of San Jose, CA’s Reid Hillview Airport (RHV/KRHV). AeroDynamic Aviation was founded in 1960 as “Amelia Reid Aviation” by Amelia Reid (pictured above), a former NASA (then NACA) Programming Mathematician and flight instructors hall of fame inductee. Her students include legendary air show pilot Sean Tucker (the aviator who flies the red Team Oracle Challenger III biplane, pictured above), and aviation writer Rod Machado. AeroDynamic Aviation is San Jose’s primeri flight school and it offers the cheapest rates! Not to mention, they emphasize stick and rudder skills!
However, I am still in search of an instructor having narrowed it down to Mr. Kenny Behlen and Mr. Ezekiel Jamison. Once I determine my instructor, I will be able to settle on renting an aircraft (some instructors do not teach on certain aircraft types). To assist me in my search for a CFI, I would like to ask our wonderful community, what are some qualities you value/look for in a CFI or any mentor in life? Also, feel free to reply with any questions or comments you may have. The more the better!
Thank you all very much, and I can’t wait to update you all again on my journey!
-Justin Duval