The ink is barely dry on Gopher Flying Club Scott Ikeda’s Instrument rating and he is out practicing in the soup with CFII George Felix.  There’s no taking off the Foggles now…….Way to keep those perishable skills fresh Scott.

Please join me in congratulating Gopher Flying Club member Scott Ikeda as he passed his instrument check ride today with DPE Brian Addis.  Way to go Scott!!!

Please join me in congratulating Todd on his first solo today!  After the fog lifted this morning Todd did 3 nice landings at Crystal.  After landing Todd and his CFI Mark Jaeger were able to go up in the control tower and meet the controllers that worked with him.

Todd and CFI Mark

Please join me in congratulating the Gopher Flying Club’s newest Private Pilot Curt Boehm.  Today Curt braved the heat and humidity and passed his private pilot check ride with DPE Barb Mack from ANE.  Seen here being congratulated by his CFI Bob Dahl.  Great job Curt!!

(Photo taken by DPE Barb Mack.)

Congratulations are in order for another Gopher Flying Club member on his first solo.  Way to go Alex!!

According to his instructor Mark, Alex made 3 very nice landings at the Maple Lake Airport.

Congratulations are in order for Gopher Flying Club’s newest private pilot.  On July 6, 2016, member Jay Hansen successfully completed his checkride with DPE Steve Anderson.

Great job Jay!!

DPE Anderson congratulates Jay

CFI-I George presents Jay with his FFS Wings.

Jay with his new ticket!!

Congratulations are in order for Gopher Flying Club Member Scott Ikeda for passing his written instrument exam on 06/29/2016.

Scott is also demonstrating his commitment to flying safely and proficiently through his participation in the FAA WINGS program.  He recently completed Level 1.  Keep up the great work Scott.

Congratulations are in order for Gopher Member David Tramm as he passed his Instrument Rating checkride recently on 06/05/2016.

David mentioned that the winds were a little challenging that day……..270 22G32…..WOW!!!

Great job David!!!

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!!!!