Since I was a young boy I always wanted to fly, due to a series of injuries to my right eye I knew I would never qualify for military service as a pilot, for me that was the only option to get behind a yoke. Over the years I would be lucky enough to fly as a passenger on commercial carriers and once in a while to fly in a private plane or helicopter.

I became very good friends with Art Treff in North Carolina who was a private pilot and his stories and experiences were infectious. His dad was a WWII fighter pilot, Art had built his own plane and flown many other aircraft. But that did not really change my reality for becoming a pilot until a job change that brought me back to California 5 years ago. I started a construction company with my partner who was a real estate developer. He owns several buildings around the state, and he had purchased a Bonanza 35A “V” tail to fly around to his buildings 12 years ago. He is a bit older than me and he is beginning to slow down a bit work wise so he asked me to get my pilots license so I could fly around to his buildings for work. It took me a nanosecond to say yes.

His plane is base at John Wayne and I live here in Riverside, so we decided that I should train here in Riverside. I interviewed several schools and felt good about Riverside Fight Academy, so I started my instruction in June of 2016.

I had 3 instructors that prepared me for my private pilots’ exam that I passed in November 2016. Having multiple instructors, I have learned, is quite typical for two reasons: 1- the industry is expanding and changing quite rapidly since the military has cut back on their pilot pool and the existing public pool of pilots are aging out, creating a demand. So, instructors (CFI’s) are advancing in their profession and getting first officer jet jobs at an increased rate. 2- as a student and CFI work together they sometimes find that there is a learning “block”, it may be the student or the CFI but being adaptable is in the best interest of the student to advance.

To fly the Bonanza, I need to get my instrument rating. That was hard, really hard. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I am a licensed general contractor, and architect. Becoming an architect is 5 years of school, 8 years of work / school experience and passing 9 exams, one that is an oral. 50% of the candidates that take the architecture oral exam fail. All of that was nothing compared to instrument certification, training and passing the exams (written and practical).

In October 2018 I became a certified instrument rated private pilot single engine land. If I never fly an instrument flight plan again in my life it was all worth it, it made me a much better pilot. I had 3 instructors during my instrument training. Each of the changes I made with my instructors were positive and necessary. The first one I just did not get along with, I did not trust him. My second was outstanding but I was struggling with keeping the plane on course and level, while dealing with the instruments and communications. Together we decided that I should try someone else. My finisher CFI really helped me get my flying skills tuned in.

I also developed a great relationship with another student pilot now CFI at Riverside Flight Academy, Gabe Callazo. We flew a lot together as each other’s safety pilot to practice our IFR procedures and flying. Gabe was key to my success.