PALM SPRINGS PILOTS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
MILLIE WOJENKA 
Millie became a certified Private pilot ASEL back in 1986 from Gnoss field in Novato, CA. She is also an Air Traffic Controller at the Palm Springs International airport control tower with more than 19 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. 
illie after landing in a T28 | |
JIM RIEDINGER & RAFAEL SIERRA, CFI 2002 
Jim Riedinger gets his C172S ready for some IFR instruction. This photo was taken in 2002 while the Palm Springs AOPA EXPO was in effect. | |
Phil and Lee Hixon 
Mr. and Mrs Hixon are both avid helicopter aviators, having travelled the world in their well equipped Bell Ranger 206. The PSPA thanks both for their support. | |
RON COLLINS and JIM RIEDINGER 2007 Ron Collins and Jim Riedinger celebrating their Private Pilot and Instrument Rating certification in 2007. Who says you can't teach an old dog(s) new tricks.Joseph La Placa DPERafael Sierra, CFI, CFIIRecommending Instructor | |
CONGRATULATIONS WALTER HOFFMANN
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 3 aircraft including a Long Easy scheduled to fly by the end of 2008. Walter was all smiles after the examination saying that the checkride experience had been a "piece of cake" Joseph La Placa DPERafael Sierra, CFI, CFII Recommending Instructor | |
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. | |
DR. SCOTT SILVER PRIVATE ASEL and AEROBATIC PILOT
Congratulations to Scott Silver, as he succesfully passed his Private ASEL checkride. Scott Silver is now flying a beautiful WACO and a 2006 Citabria while being trained by Rich Stowell, a noted aviation Author, Master CFI, and Speaker. Greg Boylan DPE
Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII
Recommending Instructor | |
JEFF COLKER & RAFAEL SIERRA
Jeff Colker of Bend, OR completed his Private pilot checkride with ease on Dec., 2007 at the Cochran Regional airport in Thermal, CA. He owns an SR22 and is now in training for instruments. Way to go Jeff! Greg Boylan DPE
Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII
Recommending Instructor | |
JOE KITAGAWA HAVING FUN IN MEXICO
Joe Kitagawa caught this jack crevalle showing an unusually distinct pattern of vertical bars during a trip out of Manzanillo on the Mexican Pacific coast aboard the boat 'Dancing Tides'. The toro was hooked about 20 miles out. We are still waiting for his return to flight training...
2008 PRIVATE PILOT ASEL Congratulations to Alex De La Torre as he is now an FAA Certificated Private Pilot. Alex was highly qualified and has the potential to become a Commercial pilot.Alex is now working on his Instrument rating.
Greg Boylan DPE
Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII
Recommending Instructor | |
Bill Mendell 
Bill Mendell Bill comes from a television and motion picture industry background in Los Angeles, San Diego, Cincinnati, Washington, and Palm Springs. He has served on the California Broadcasters Association Board of Directors. His graduate thesis was funded by the National Association of Broadcasters. All that and he flies too!
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Gus Alvarez, CFI, CFII  Gus Alvarez is a fine Flight Instructor and a good friend. He is recuperating from surgery and should be back to instructing soon. He owns a Grumman Tiger based at Bermuda Dunes. | |
James D. Shuler, CFI, CFII, ATP
Airline Transport PilotRotorcraft HelicopterCommercial Pilot Privileges onlyAirplane Single Engine LandInstrument AirplaneFlight Instructor (exp: 30-Sep-2009)Airplane Single EngineRotorcraftInstrument Airplane Jim has logged over 10,000 hrs as an LA Sheriff's officer, news helicopter pilot and CFI, CFII. He has enjoyed flying as much as any other pilot. He is a good friend and CFI, CFII on a part time basis as he likes to travel about. | |
Dr. Howard Parker Dr. Howard Parker is a fine pilot and owns a C172S. He is detailed and precise in his flying. He holds a Commercial, Instrument, with ASEL and AMEL ratings.
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Gentil Goncalves Our travelling instructor and helicopter pilot from Hawaii - great friend and pilot. He has worked for many certificates and ratings for rotocraft helicopter and airplane. We hope to see him here in Palm Springs soon. | |
andy Woodson Sandy is our most kind lady pilot with an affinity for cats. She will soon start flying again as soon as the temperatures come down a bit, she promises. | |
Shawn Trevor Shawn would not let his son Trevor take him for a ride so he is now a Private pilot and is working on his Instrument rating. His checkride went very well as he was well prepared and ready. | |
Trevor Bartlett Trevor is a natural pilot. Started in 2004 and now holds a Commercial, Instrument, ASEL and AMEL certificate and ratings. He will become a CFI, CFII and later a Corporate or an Airline pilot. | |
In Memoriam, Capt. Charles Eugene "Chuck" Barker  Chuck was a good friend and mentor. He had retired from Frontier Arlines. He flew one of the first 727 for the company and later continued as an instructor logging more than 20,000 hours in DC3s, Convair 340 and 440's and a score of other aircraft. He was a Korean War Army veteran.
May he rest in peace. Died Dec. 23, 2008 We will miss his Monday night flights to Calexico.
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Jack Balwin 2009
 Jack Baldwin - Chief Strategy Officer
Jack Baldwin is Chief Strategy Officer and Board Member of OnviSource, Inc. He is the original founder of the Business Solutions before being acquired by OnviSource. He is also the CEO and Chairman of Baldwin Group, Inc., one of the investment companies in OnviSource.
Jack is recognized for his leadership in business entrepreneurship. He received the 2001 Oklahoma Venture of the Year Award from the Oklahoma Investment Forum, an award presented only to companies contributing significantly to the state's economic growth, productivity and innovation. Also designated as 2001 Innovator of the Year for Technology by the Oklahoma Journal Record, Jack was recognized for the growth and development of Davacord.
Jack assumed control of CadCom Telesystems in 1995 and grew it into a leading telephone call center and messaging system manufacturer. His work with Call Centers brought about the development of one of the country's leading digital voice recording systems, DigiVoice, produced by Davacord. Jack's contact with phone services led to the creation of Business Solutions and the development of relationships with national telecom providers. Now he is a Private Pilot on his way to an Instrument Rating and owns a T210 - he is having a great deal of fun. INSTRUMENT RATING: 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. Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII, Recommending Instrument | |
Chad Thomas 2008 Chad is flying right seat in the CHP helicopter and flies Cessna in his off duty hours. He is a good pilot and friend.
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Debbie Colker, CFI, CFII  Debbie Colker did the impossible. In 9 months she trained fron student through CFI, CFII, MEI. She is now instructing in Bend, OR and very much enjoying it.
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Jeff Diebley Jeff loves flying and is the owner of a C172RG. He is very dedicated pilot on his way to CFI, CFII during his retirement. Good luck Jeff!
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Monica Sanderson Monica is one of our most recent student pilots. She has the ability and desire turning into a passion for flying. She is starting flight training in a Cessna C150. Her son will follow as soon as he turns 16.
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Michael Pesce, M.D. | |
Aerochia began in 2000 with the construction and modification of Darryl Greenamyer's Lancair Legacy Racer 33. In 2002, following an incredible win in Sport Class Gold at Reno, Andy Chiavetta and Darryl Greenamyer founded the company. Now after four consecutive wins in the Reno National Champion Air Races they continue to demonstrate that the modifications were very successful.
Since its creation, Aerochia has designed several types of modification kits that greatly enhance the capabilities of both stock and high performance aircraft. In short, they convert stock aircraft into racing planes.
The company is currently putting the finishing touches on their fifth twin-turbo powered Lancair Legacy, developed a speed mod kit for the Lancair IV-P and ES, and have begun the construction of a custom version of the NXT. | |
Danny Tallarita and gang  Danny Tallarita (right) is one of the best natural pilots I have ever trained. He was born in the cockpit, literally, and is presently flying a G2. He was always ready for his checkout before FAA minima. Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII, Recommending Instructor | |
Alex and Lalo De La Torre  What can we say here. The man is as kool as his bro Lalo who is also interested in becoming a pilot. | |
Margie and Ben Hall  Margie and Ben during the 2007 Christmas party at the Dennis's.Both have been flying for years all over the US in their Cirrus SR22 N807CD
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Our beloved Jackie  | |
Millie and Dezra Millie and Rafael's beautiful grandaughter Dezra Sierra
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BILL BRANSON BILL BRANSON
Bill Branson has, since 1995, been one of the top real estate professionals representing the finest homes. Bill is a well-known and established professional in the residential real estate market. He has participated in many multi-million dollar transactions in some of California's most prestigious areas. He has now re-started his flight training, a program he began when he was 19.
Welcome back Bill | |
MARION DUDEK
Marion started flying in the late 50's and stopped in 1975. Now that he is retired he thought about flying again and getting current and proficient while enrolled in n Instrument rating course. He is doing quite well. | |
| MINDI MEIDL Mindi is a Private Instrument rated pilot and owns a Piper Lancer that flies really well. While on vacation here in the Palm Springs area she is practicing instrument procedures with plans to fly the SOCAL area. Her piloting skills are excellent. Welcome to the Coachella Valley.
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DAVID GRASSMAN PRIVATE PILOT, INSTRUMENT RATED 2009 David has succesfully executed his Instrument Rating checkride on May 1, 2009. He trained well without shortcuts as he enjoyed the WAAS ground instruction from his instrument flight instructor Rafael Sierra. His next goal is Mutiengine. David was our first "Glass Panel" student to receive PPL certification and our first Garmin 430 WAAS trained Instrument rating student. Congratulations Dave. Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII, Recommending Instructor Greg Boylan,DPE | |
| DAVID GRASSMAN PRIVATE PILOT, INSTRUMENT RATED 2009 David has succesfully executed his Instrument Rating checkride on May 1, 2009. He trained well without shortcuts as he enjoyed the WAAS ground instruction from his instrument flight instructor Rafael Sierra. His next goal is Mutiengine. David was our first "Glass Panel" student to receive PPL certification and our first Garmin 430 WAAS trained Instrument rating student. Congratulations Dave. Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII, Recommending Instructor Greg Boylan,DPE | |
| DAVID GRASSMAN PRIVATE PILOT, INSTRUMENT RATED 2009 David has succesfully executed his Instrument Rating checkride on May 1, 2009. He trained well without shortcuts as he enjoyed the WAAS ground instruction from his instrument flight instructor Rafael Sierra. His next goal is Mutiengine. David was our first "Glass Panel" student to receive PPL certification and our first Garmin 430 WAAS trained Instrument rating student. Congratulations Dave. Rafael Sierra, CFI, CFII, Recommending Instructor Greg Boylan,DPE | |
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MEMBERS GALLERY Thursday, 29 July 2010
