Master CFI Accreditation~Renewal

Posted in Always Learning, Milestone on February 19th, 2012 by Michael

Master Instructors LLC takes great pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Michael L Phillips, Chief Flight Instructor and co-owner of Aviation Instruction Simulator Training Center and a flight instructor at Santa Paula’s CP Aviation and resident of Ventura, California. Recently, Michael’s accreditation as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) was renewed by Master Instructors LLC, the international accrediting authority for the Master Instructor designation as well as the FAA-approved “Master Instructor Continuing Education Program” He first earned this national professional accreditation in 2008, has held it continuously since then, and is one of only 104 worldwide to earn the credential three times.  Read more »

Postscript to Professor Emeritus to student pilot~classroom to cockpit

Posted in Always Learning, Milestone on February 19th, 2012 by Michael

I had a terrific time this afternoon~felt like one of the big kids.

Michael made his first unsupervised solo yesterday and sent me the following note which I am sharing because it captures the essence of learning and realizing that the hard work is worth it.
“I had a terrific time this afternoon–felt like one of the big kids just sauntering in, being handed the book and the keys, doing my preflight, then jumping into the cockpit for a 1.3 hour flight.
I headed for the Ventura shore, skirting the Oxnard airspace and climbing to 3500, where I did some steep-bank turns, slow flight, then some power-off and power-on stalls. (A year ago stalls really freaked me out (to use the vernacular), so I’m delighted that I could do them and do them pretty well, without any apprehension.) Then I headed for Oxnard. I didn’t lose enough altitude before I entered the right downwind (confession), so I went around the first time, then did four landings and taxi-back take-offs. The wind was 180 6-7, so all the landings were crosswind but no sweat. I think I even got the nose more or less straight. Then back to SZP and a descent landing. I think most  of my radio work at Oxnard was fine; at least I didn’t hear about any omissions. You may detect a certain self-satisfaction in the above, but I’m sure you will forgive it.” Not only is it forgiven I applaud you for your success and look forward to our next flight together.

Professor Emeritus to student pilot~classroom to cockpit

Posted in Always Learning, Milestone on February 14th, 2012 by Michael

Captain O'Connell sailing in Eurpoe

I created this blog to share stories about the people I meet and the opportunity that I have to share the adventure of learning to fly with them. The time that I have spent with Michael O’Connell is time that has been both challenging and rewarding. Michael is an accomplished  scholar with an interest in  Renaissance literature and medieval and Renaissance Drama and a passion for the sea. He is Professor Emeritus at UCSB. The following from the English Department website lauds that  Professor O’Connell’s work as an English scholar, instructor, and Education Abroad Program director has left a lasting impact on the department and campus. “Michael’s 30 years of service to the department and the university at large have demonstrated that his good cheer and friendly disposition extend well beyond the classroom. For his entire career, Michael has been a focused scholar, candid leader, and wonderful friend to his colleagues at UCSB – and will continue to be in his well-deserved retirement.” The “well-deserved retirement” gave Michael the opportunity to pursue an interest in flying which he developed while flying with a friend. Learning to fly in your sixties requires commitment, patience and a willingness to accept the fact that age is both a blessing and a curse. For reasons, outside of his control, Michael had a number of instructors and was introduced to me with a significant number of hours in his logbook. This is not a bad thing but having numerous voices and teaching styles rolling around in your can be confusing. Read more »

Solo Flight>>Step One

Posted in Milestone on December 25th, 2011 by Michael
First Solo~The perfect way to celebrate the Wright Brothers first flight at Kitty Hawk

Saturday December 17, 2011 started out as the second day of what we call “wind event” days as our tip of the hat to Santa Ana winds that blow here in Southern California. The plan was to have Evan Zalesak solo on this day but I had told him not to count on it as the wind may be a factor. He concurred but nonetheless his family had decided that they would come to the airport just in case something changed. As we began the winds were still too strong for a solo but good for a solo tune-up. We had performed a number of landings and as to be expected Evan was a bit nervous and I was nit-picking his performance to squeeze the best out of him. It was clear that Mother Nature had decided that today would be the day and the winds had calmed considerably.  As we were taxiing back to Runway 4  I asked him if he had any comments about his performance. He looked at me and said it was hard to concentrate because I was talking. I smiled to myself because this was the sign that he was ready to solo.  Needless to say, he performed well and after completing seven landings celebrated his accomplishment with his family. Read more »

Simulator Training is Coming to Ventura and Santa BarbaraCounty

Posted in Flight Training Ground School on June 18th, 2011 by Michael

It has been my goal to open a simulator training center in the area of Ventura and Santa Barbara county and finally the goal is coming to fruition. Aviation Instruction will be offering simulator training for general aviation pilots from our center at the Camarillo Airport (CMA). We have ordered a Redbird SD simulator and will be offering training on standard gauges and the G1000 Avionics Suite beginning in early August. You will be able to learn more at our website http://aviationsimulatortraining.com which will be up and running in the very near future. In the meantime we will post additional information on our blog. If you have questions or comments please let us know with a post.  We look forward to sharing this incredible training tool with you.

Persistence~Frustration~Determination~The Dream~The Odyssey

Posted in Dreams Realized, Milestone on January 8th, 2011 by Michael
 
The dream began in Calaveras County

We begin this story when David Casarez was carving a runway out of a hillside in Calaveras County. David was a young man and in the process of building his reputation and his experience as an excavation contractor. After he completed the work he was given an opportunity to do some flying and the spark and his love of flight was ignited and he made a promise to himself that he would one day land on the runway that he had created.    

Fast forward to December 24th, 2004 when David was introduced to me by a mutual friend who felt that I would be a good fit for him as a flight instructor. Neither of us ever imagined that as a result of this meeting that we would share an experience that lasted six years and created a friendship that will last forever. Read more »

It’s About Time!

Posted in Milestone on December 7th, 2010 by Michael

Clay flying a Stearman when he was twenty-something

 Clay Phelps grew up with flying and aviation as part of his DNA and so it is no surprise that he has spent most of his life around airplanes, airports and people who fly. Clay (along with his wife Judy) is the owner of CP Aviation which is based at one of the jewels of aviation Santa Paula (SZP) airport. 

When I joined the  staff, as an instructor at CP in 2008, Clay had been working on his Instructor rating for over 20 years and this love affair with procrastination was a long-standing joke amongst his many friends. Actually, the numbers that accompany this saga are 24 years and six sittings for the Fundamentals of Instruction and the CFI Knowledge Test (passed them every time) not to mention the countless hours spent studying and putting off completing the process. Read more »

Selecting a Flight Instructor

Posted in Recognize the Differences on November 4th, 2010 by Michael

We will be back soon...

I had the opportunity to fly with Paul Needels and guide him through the process of earning his Private Pilot Certificate and then on to his Instrument rating. He prepared this short narrative to share his thoughts about his experience and what you need to consider when selecting a flight instructor should you be interested in learning how to fly or moving on to an advanced rating. I sincerely appreciate Paul’s kind words and I feel that his message about what you should consider when selecting a flight instructor is worth sharing.

Chemistry, compatibility, competence and teaching style are critical to success.

Paul Needels-Selecting a Flight Instructor

Always Have A Plan

Posted in Always Learning on September 18th, 2010 by Michael

Resting Peacefully

Teaching simulated emergency landings is an integral part of the training that each student receives on their way to their Private Pilot certificate. An integral part of this training includes regular discussion about the “impossible turn” and always having a plan for an unexpected challenge during each phase of flight. Read more »

Happy Birthday to Me~Part Two

Posted in Milestone on June 7th, 2010 by Michael

Twelve months to the day and several inches taller

 Michael Francis Tiefenbach was the first person I wrote about in this blog and everything that I wrote a year ago still rings true. Michael was a man of few words then and not much has changed. What has changed is the degree of confidence and complete competence that Michael exhibits each time that he gets into an airplane. He has an incredible inner drive and expects the best of himself each time that he exercises his privilege as Pilot in Command. Read more »