Today, Gopher Flying Club Members George Felix and Paul Meehl completed a compassion flight for Angel Flight Central ** by picking up two children at a summer camp in northern MN and taking them home to WI.

** (Angel Flight Central (AFC) is a volunteer non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission it is to “Serve people in need by arranging charitable flights for health care or other humanitarian purposes.” )

Member Paul Meehl showing cards of thanks received from the kids

Thanks guys for taking your time and talents and making a difference.

Tom W. and CFI George Felix

Congrats are in order to Gopher Flying Club CFI, George Felix.  Today with the successful check ride of member Tom W., George has earned his Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate.

So, what exactly is a Gold Seal Flight Instructor?

The FAA issues the coveted Gold Seal Flight Instructor certificates only to those instructors who give a lot of flight instruction and whose students successfully pass checkrides.

This means you can have a high degree of confidence that the training you are paying for is up to date, accurate, and efficient. Inefficient training is expensive, and having to retake a flight test can cost hundreds of dollars more. You have the right to expect to be given good training and to pass your flight test first time. A Gold Seal CFI certificate is the seal of approval the FAA gives to exceptional instructors.

For more details here’s what Advisory Circular AC61-65D says:

18. GOLD SEAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES. The specific requirements for the gold seal flight instructor certificate are contained in FAA Orders 8700.1, General Aviation Operations Inspector’s Handbook, and 8710.3C, Pilot Examiner’s Handbook. Flight instructor certificates bearing distinctive gold seals are issued to flight instructors who have maintained a high level of flight training activity and who meet special criteria. Once issued, a gold seal flight instructor certificate will be reissued each time the instructor’s certificate is renewed. Applicants for gold seal flight instructor certificates must meet the following requirements:

a. The flight instructor must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (glider flight instructors need not hold an instrument rating) or an ATP certificate;

b. The flight instructor must hold a ground instructor certificate with an advanced or instrument ground instructor rating; and

c. The flight instructor must have accomplished the following within the previous 24 months:

(1) Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, at least 8 of whom passed their tests on the first attempt;

(2) Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a designated pilot examiner, or graduation tests as chief instructor of a 14 CFR part 141 approved pilot school course; or

(3) A combination of the above requirements. (Two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test.)

Way to go George!!!!

Congrats to Tom W. as he earned his private pilot certificate today (6/24/2016).  Way to go Tom!!!

Tom W after his checkride in 32L

Tom W. and DPE Mary Alverson

Tom W. and CFI George F.

Congratulations to Tim S. on his first solo on 6/10/2016 in 8432L.  Way to go Tim!!!

Congrats also to new CFI Mark J. as this was his first solo student!!!

Congratulations are in order for new member Tom W. as he is quickly checking off the needed items in pursuit of his private pilot certificate.  Way to go Tom!!

New member and student pilot Tom W and instructor George F up late one evening doing some night training.