New CFI

[Ron Spiker]

I had a pilot that I've been working with pass his CFI checkride today in the Brantly. He passed his commercial checkride with me last year. The photo has our DPE on the left and the new CFI-H on the right. Not the greatest weather for flying, as we had on-and-off rain and snow all day. But, we still got it done. We have another commercial and at least 3 privates that should be ready for their checkride within the next month.

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[9121u]

RON really proud of you keeping aviation going. your a dedicated person in the helicopter industry. all your hard work.. this is what also I call making dreams come true.now that person can make more dreams come true.but you have done so much with helicopters in P.A. IF all airports had some one like you aviation would be up where it is supposed to be..and congratulations on the new CFI he must be proud to get that out of the way.so keep posting the excellent progress....thanks

[Ron Spiker]

Thanks Tom. We had another guy pass his commercial checkride last week, and will have another CFI add-on next week. Then should have 2 or 3 private checkrides in December. Keeping busy.

[seneca2e]

Great work Ron. It's funny but in a very bad flight training environment I've done more instructing of late than I've done in years. Several solos and at least 3 private fixed wings upcoming shortly. All fixed wing for now but hopefully I'll get the Brantly going before long. Had a couple of Enstroms stop in and refuel yesterday so that was a welcome sight as well! The expense to fly anything is huge these days though there's no getting around that.

[Ron Spiker]

Good for you, too. Getting people trained, keeping them interested.

One of our guys did his solo XC today, so he'll be ready for his checkride in a week or two. I let another student do his first solo hover today, so he's pumped up. Kind of fun to see the guys progressing and becoming pilots, especially the ones who start with zero time.

[bryancobb]

Hi Ron,

Great work!

Just curious, are your zero start guys soloing around 20 hours or earlier?
Many "new-breed" instructors have gotten on this trek that thinks it's impossible to get rated without 100+ hours and when I say "hogwash" they say
in today's flight world, it's needed.

I disagree.

[Ron Spiker]

They all do not have 20 hours before solo. One recent student was ready in about 5 hours, but I worked with him for a few more lessons to refine maneuvers prior to his solo hover.

I say "hogwash" to that too. Average time for a private certificate is closer to 50-55 hours or so. That many hours is only needed if the student isn't getting it and for whatever reason needs that much training. A lot of factors work into it, but that's a lot of hours for a private. I wonder if some places string out students to get more hours (money) out of them before signing off for the checkride.

[bryancobb]

... I wonder if some places string out students to get more hours (money) out of them before signing off for the checkride.

THAT'S EXACTLY HOW I FEEL! All this B.S. like "If he crashes, a year after he passes his checkride, my training I provided will be scrutinized and blamed."

B.S. B.S. B.S.! I soloed in an airplane with 8 hours and took my checkride at 40.5. Very average student. Very average instructor.

The WORST CFI's and DPE's are the Sport Pilot guys! They think a person needs a PhD from Embry Riddle to solo a J-3 Cub! LOL

I soloed on Training Day 21 in a 269, only because that's the earliest the Army allowed it. I passed my Primary checkride at 42 hours. The next 8 was what the Army called "Buddy-Riding." I.E. 2 post-checkride students out playing together in Uncle Sam's machine, burning Uncle Sam's gas.

[Ron Spiker]

Had another CFI pass his checkride yesterday. Our own forum member Brad. Congratulations!! Job well done! Photos are Brad and our examiner.

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[Brad Bowles]

Thanks Ron
I had a great time with you and Fred. I appreciate you both working me in during the holidays. Looking forward to coming back up and flying with you both again.
Happy Thanksgiving

[fixnfly]

Congrads to both of you & nice meeting you on Monday Brad. Ron your really pumping them out, keep up the good work. Bill

[Brad Bowles]

Thanks Bill enjoyed meeting you also.
Thanks again for dinner hoping to come up for the flyin this summer.

[Ron Spiker]

Had another passed Brantly checkride today. This one was a private add-on. He was one pilot that shows what determination is all about. He went from zero helicopter hours to private helicopter license in less than 2 months. Quite a task to accomplish, especially when he also holds down 2 jobs.

[Brad Bowles]

Great work! The Brantly is a great helicopter to learn in. Hope we can keep them flying for years to come.

[seneca2e]

Brad you have the carbureted B2 is that right? So the ship in the photo with the examiner is Ron's B2b I assume. Looks like you and the examiner put the Brantly to the test weight wise and CG wise. Did you have an inch or two of MP extra in the hover or was it right at max throttle to hover? I am about your size by rough eyeball and I took my son-in-law for a ride at 225 and while it did it okay it required my utmost attention .