Flight Training Blog

Lauren Smith solo’d on 24 October 2014 under the watchful eye of CFI Alex Kennedy. Lauren now moves on to the cross-country phase of Private Pilot training.

Congrats to Chas Walton for successfully passing his Private Pilot practical flight with DPE Matt Blythe!

Alan King successfully passed his Private Pilot checkride today with FAA Examiner Matt Blythe in the C-172. Staff Instructor Alex Kennedy also passed a checkride with Blythe and has earned his CFI-Instrument qualification. Congratulations to both!

Congrats to John Mason and his CFI, Colonel Mark Boundy, on passing the Private Pilot checkride. John executed all maneuvers in accordance with FAA regulations in the C-172R at Cecil Field. He will now be transitioning into the Instrument stage of training.

Staff Flight Instructor Ben Hakenson passed his Instrument Instructor checkride with Matt Blythe on C-172R N679DW. Ben will be available for new Instrument students for the upcoming Fall Term. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Alivia Cole for successfully passing her Multi-Engine checkride with DPE Matt Blythe. Alivia will now be moving on to train for Certified Flight Instructor.

All Sunrise student are invited to “Oral Practical Test Prep” sessions conducted every Friday from 1400-1700 at the Pilot Shop. Sessions will be conducted by Ravi Mehta and William Walker and are free to Sunrise students. If you are within a month of getting a checkride from the FAA, these sessions are very highly encouraged!

Ravi Mehta Commercial ASEL Piper Arrow FSCJ D.P.E. Matt Blythe (left) congratulates Ravi Mehta (right) after a successful commercial flight.

New certified flight instructor Bryan Lundblad, left, with Ernie Strange, right. Congratulations Bryan!

Yousif Noori Instrument Rating FSCJ Cessna 172   Congratulations to Yousif Noori (right) on his Instrument Rating. He stands with examiner Matt Blythe (left) and his flight instructor Neal Moore (center).

Matt Baliya Private Pilot Single Engine Land Cessna 172 Matt Baliya (right) is congratulated by his examiner Matt Blythe (left) after a successful private pilot check ride.

WJXT Channel 4 visited the Florida State College at Jacksonville Aviation Center on Nov. 10 to witness the Fly-In and Discovery Flights the College and Sunrise Aviation hosted for veterans. By Michael Corby Fri, November 15, 2013 5:24 pm EDT FSCJ hosted an Aviation Center Open House and Fly-In (like an auto show, but for… Read more »

Benjamin Camp Florida State College First Solo Cessna 152 N33SA Benjamin, right, and his C.F.I. John Miller, left,  in the cutting of the First Solo Shirt Tail.

José L. Rodriguez Florida State College First Solo Cessna 172 N674DW Jose is getting his shirt tail cut off by his C.F.I. John Miller. This is a tradition done to all new pilots on successful completion of their first solo flight.

Corey Debolt FSCJ Private Pilot Single Engine Land Cessna 172   Corey Debolt, left, completed the transition from helicopters to fixed wing aircraft with his examiner, fellow helicopter pilot, Rich Tillery.

Vatshal Patel FSCJ Private Pilot Single Engine Land Cessna 152 Vatshal Patel, left,  and his examiner Duane Brown, right, after a a successful flight. The weather finally cooperated long enough to pass his private pilot practical.