Palm Springs Pilots Association

AFFORDABLE AVIONICS, INC.

Two locations:

Thermal & Chino CA

For all your avionics needs!

 (909)606-9876

LOWEST FUEL PRICE IN THE PALM SPRINGS/ COACHELLA VALLEY

CORONA AIRCRAFT ENGINES

MILLIE WOJENKA

 Millie became a certified Private pilot ASEL back in 1986 while flying out of Gnoss  field in Novato, CA.  She is also an Air Traffic Controller at the Palm Springs International airport control tower with more than 21 years of ATC experience.  Her goal now is to get her Instrument rating and she owns a fully restored C172.  Her husband is a flight instructor. Millie is the best.

RON COLLINS and JIM RIEDINGER 2007

Ron Collins and Jim Riedinger celebrating their Private Pilot and Instrument Rating certification in 2007. 

Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII Recommending (OLD DOG) Instructor 

  CONGRATULATIONS

 WALTER HOFFMANN

PRIVATE PILOT ASEL

AUG. 22, 2008

LAKE HAVASU, AZ

Walter Hoffmann has been certified as a Private pilot ASEL by DPE Joe La Placa on August 22, 2008 at Lake Havasu, AZ.

Walter started flying in 1966 however his busy work schedule would not permit him to finish his training although flying  has always been his passion. Walter is now training for his Intrument rating. He owns 2 aircraft including a Long Easy he completed in 2010.  Walter was all smiles after the  examination saying that the checkride experience had been a "piece of cake"

JOSEPH LA PLACA, DPE

FAA Designated Pilot Examiner, Joseph La Placa is a Gold Seal flight instructor with 33,000 hours. Flight instructor of the Year in Arizona for years 1985 and 1991. Flight instructor of the year for Western Pacific Region in 1985.  In 2005 Joe was enshrined into the Arizona Hall of Fame.

GREG NOLL

FIRST SOLO

AUG. 5, 2009  

Greg Noll successfully executed his first solo flight landing and taking off on runway 30 without a problem.  His flight instructor was full of emotion and somewhat speechless as he observed the aircraft touching down quietly and over the centerline.

RAFAEL SIERRA, CFI, CFII

KRIS KACZINSKI, CFI, CFII

  CONGRATULATIONS

 JACK BALDWIN

PRIVATE PILOT ASEL

INSTRUMENT RATED

JAN. 14, 2010

LAKE HAVASU, AZ

Jack Baldwin has been certified as an Instrument Rated Private pilot ASEL by DPE Joe La Placa on January 14, 2010 at Lake Havasu, AZ. 

He worked really hard under an accelerated program where Technically Advanced Avionics were added to his training and became the first US instrument rating applicant to use an LPV terminal procedure in lieu of an ILS during his checkride.

WARD PEARSON upon completion of his Instrument Rating training

LAKE HAVASU, AZ

Ward Pearson from Battle Ground, WA and Rafael Sierra at Lake Havasu, AZ airport after an IFR cross country flight in the well equipped WAAS Skywagon.  Ward started IFR training in January 2010 and he is flying well into the rating.  UPDATE, May 4, 2010:  Ward passed his Instrument checkride with ease.  Piece of cake!

Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII Recomending Instructor

CONGRATULATIONS

PRIVATE PILOT

BILL BRANSON

LAKE HAVASU, AZ

May 5, 2010

Bill Branson passed his Private Pilot checkride smoothly and did a great flying job.  Lake Havasu's weather was just perfect for the flight.  Joe La Placa, DPE, was quite satisfied with Bill's knowledge and skills.  Congratulations Bill. 

Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII Recommending Instructor

Pvt. Pilot Andrew Ertl, USMC

Cpl. Andrew R. Ertl USMC, became a Private pilot ASEL on June 12, 2010.  He is a natural pilot having completed full training in less than 3 months. Now he will continue to his Instrument Rating. 

Joe La Placa,  DPE,  commented that he was a "well prepared sharp guy" and that he handled the oral and practical examination with ease.  Congratulations on a job very well done.

RAFAEL SIERRA, CFI, CFII Recommending Instructor

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