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------- Give Your Spirit Wings ------
Learning to fly, like learning to drive, happens in three stages: you must pass an aeronautical knowledge test (the book test), followed by actually taking flight lessons and then pass the flight test. Training with an instructor may begin at any age, but the student learning to fly an airplane cannot fly solo (without an instructor) until age 16.
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THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR THIS NEW PILOT! |
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May 19, 2008: John Wrycza "Rusty", Private Pilot, Airplane Single Engine Land: He got serious about flight training with Am I High Aviation, LLC's accelerated private pilot program. After 14 flight days of training, Wrycza breezed through the checkride experience with Sherwin "Woody" Williams. Flight Training provided by Wanda Zuege, ATP MCFI.
Message from rusty:
June, 2008: John Wrycza, Pilot-In-Command with first passenger shortly after he earned his Pilot certificate; notice the smiles.
Message from rusty:
June, 2008: WHY I FLY? Big Ring Classic's (bike race) held at 9 Mile Forest without the drive from Illinois 193nm (a 2hr flight vs 4hrs 37mins by car) - an experience worth repeating.
Message from rusty:
My 1st - of hopefully soon-to-be many GEAR UP landings ... flying a Lake Amphibian airplane and preparing to land on the Buffalo Lake ... nice runway! .... and of course, I did helmetcam the experience!
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MAY 16, 2008: Joe Pehosky
Private Pilot - Airman Single Engine Land:
Joe Pehosky passed his FAA Private Pilot practical test with Sherwin "Woody" Williams. " I'm currently finishing up an atmospheric science major at UW-Milwaukee. Flying has been something I've considered learning for a real long time, until I actually started training last summer. It's been a great experience and I can't wait to take some of my friends up. I'm planning on training for the instrument rating right away this summer, and possibly getting checked out in a Cessna down in Milwaukee. Flying has been the greatest thing I've ever done, and I'm planning to keep accumulating more ratings and hours, and see where it takes me." |
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May 5 & 6, 2008: John Wrycza
Student pilot turned Pilot-In-Command:
John Wrycza flew solo (without an instructor) on May 5 performing three takeoffs into a brilliant sky painted in sunset colors and three landings on Runway 30 .... winds CALM! The following morning, Wrycza planned his first long cross country trip (solo) starting westbound to Eau Claire (with three touch & go's) then eastbound to Central Wisconsin Airport (with three touch & go's) and completed the flight (to a full stop landing) at the Stevens Point Municipal Aiport. What's next? Seven more hours of pilot-in-command time (solo flight) prior to taking his Practical Test (the flight test). |
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Wrycza has added a new dimension to flight training - the GPS track overlay ... on sectional maps (see below) ... on google earth ... and in 3D. Soon, I will be introduced to "the helmet camera". (Wanda Zuege - student of technology)
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2008: Mathew "Jay" Frittita
Private Pilot - Airplane Single Engine Land
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JUNE 2008:
You are invited to view Frittita's new video:
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Having a great time at two of my favorite airports! ... Piper Cherokee 140 Takeoff Landing Touch and Gos ... |
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Mathew "Jay" Frittita passed his FAA Private Pilot practical test with Sherwin "Woody" Williams Sunday Morning. "I’ll be a junior next semester at UW Stevens Point majoring in Computer Information Systems and will be in Japan teaching English this summer for two months. I’m going to have some fun taking friends and family for rides and occasionally fly home to Waukesha to see my parents. I hope to someday add an instrument rating to my license and a lot more hours! I began flight training with John five months ago in November. I initially wanted to begin flying for the experience and for a fun hobby; I never knew how fun it would be!" Jay trained with John Thompson, MCFI. |
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APRIL 21, 2008: Dennis Michels
Private Pilot -
Airman Single Engine Lane:
Dennis Michels, Private Pillot! Michels started flying in 1999. Nine instructors later, he contacted Am I High Aviation, LLC requesting accelerated flight & ground instruction. Twenty hours later, with Wanda Zuege, MCFI, he passed his Private Pilot Practical Test Ride with Jim Cotter, Designated Pilot Examiner, and returned home to Iowa piloting his own Archer III. |
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April 2008: Dave Becker
Private Pilot - Airman Single Engine Land:
Dave Becker passed his FAA Private Pilot practical test with Jim Cotter, Designated Pilot Examiner, Sunday Morning.
Becker wrote: "Hello John & Wanda, I still cannot believe that I can call myself a Private Pilot. It has been all of just one day since passing my private pilot check ride and I am still flying high in the sky and I am not in the airplane. (Don't worry, I am flying VFR in my memories. This fall will be IFR.) |
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As you know, I tried getting my private pilots license back in 1993 and I have to admit that I did not care for my instructor at the time and quit very early in the process. I guess it was an easy excuse. From that time, I have always regretted not getting my pilots license.
This past fall I re-dedicated myself to learn how to fly and fortunately came across Am I High Aviation. John & Wanda, you were exactly what I was looking for. A group of instructors that were extremely organized and were solely dedicated to the training and instruction of students & pilots and were willing to instruct on an accelerated timeframe. I started on the Simulator with Wanda which is one of the greatest tools to learn all aspects of flying before getting into the plane. I then started flying with John and in less than 3 total weeks of flying time I passed my check ride. I am a PILOT!
John, of all the things that I will remember, I will never forget you saying that the plane wants to fly, just fly it Stevens Point Airport is very lucky to have two Master Instructors in one location.Thank you again for all of your help and I cannot wait to get back from Canada this fall to start my next phase of training."
David Becker, WI. |
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MAR 2008: Aaron Ruotsala
Private Pilot, Instrument
Airman Single Engine Land
Aaron Ruotsala passed his instrument checkride with Jim Cotter, Designated Pilot Examiner, after an extensive 3-day Accelerated Instrument Completion Course with Wanda Zuege,MCFI. Aaron Ruotsala, MI
JAN 2008: Steve Lemke
Private Pilot, Instrument
Airman Single Engine Land
Steve passed his nstrument checkride with Jim Cotter, Designated Pilot Examiner, after attending the 7-day accelerated instrument course Wanda Zuege, MCFI Steve Lemke, IA
JAN 2008: Joe Dolph,
Private Pilot, Instrument
Airman Single Engine Land.
Joe passed his instrument checkride with Jim Cotter, Designated Pilot Examiner.
Joe wrote: "Dear Wanda and John: I just wanted to take a minute and thank you for all the hard work you both did for Steve and I on our Accelerated Instrument Course. I know that trying to put together a program for one student in a seven day course is alot work. |
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You took on two at once. I found that you were very well prepared and dedicated to do what ever it would take to help us achieve our instrument rating. As in real world flying we had many unforseeable issues come upon us, (i.e. weather,icing,colds, etc) and yet you were able to stay focused on our goals. The skills that you taught me will be in my cockpit for the rest of my life.
I know of no other flight school where the instructors would work 16 hours a day. Drive countless hours. Pick us up and drop us off at our hotel, be at my check ride for support and be just as excited as me when I passed. I feel that I am a better and safer pilot due to your program. I am looking forward to scheduling my commercial rating with Am I High. Thanks again." Joseph Dolph, Private Pilot..INSTRUMENT RATED. Joe Dolph, IA. |
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November 11, 2007: Sean McCardell
Private Pilot, Airman Single Engine Land.
Sean McCardell passed his flight test with Sherwood "Woody" Williams, Designated Pilot Examiner, Sunday morning. Sean trained with John Thompson, Certified Flight Instructor with Am I High Aviation, LLC. As a newly licensed Pilot, Sean returned to the Stevens Point airport to fly his first passengers.
WEEKEND GROUND SCHOOL. SEP, 2007: Sean passed his private pilot knowledge test on Monday following the Weekend Ground School session. Sean McCardell, Stevens Point , WI
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November 4, 2007: Ryan Vechinski
Private Pilot, Airman Single Engine Land.
Ryan Vechinski eagerly waited for his flight test with Sherwood Williams Sunday afternoon scheduled after Steve Kubisiak's flight test. Vechinski trained with Wanda Zuege, Master Certified Flight Instructor with Am I High Aviation, LLC and passed with "flying colors." Out of the clouds and on the ground, with his new license to fly, Ryan's wife, Erin, proudly boarded the Piper Cherokee airplane and became Vechinski's first passenger! Rumor has it, she requested to experience s-t-a-l-l-s on this first flight!
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Ryan wrote: "Let me be the first to congratulate you." These words marked a new beginning for me, and an end to a life-long goal. These words were spoken to me by Sherwood Williams, my flight examiner, after landing for the last time as a student pilot. I was a Private Pilot.
Being a pilot has been a life-long dream of mine, started by my grandpa. He became a pilot shortly after returning from the Korean war. He has owned many airplanes, his favorite being his blue and white Champ. He loves aviation as much as I do, and because of this, has always talked about flying and aviation (mostly to me, because I would listen!). He would take every opportunity to be around aviation, and try to include me. In fact, my first trip to the Oshkosh Air Show (now AirVenture) happened before I was even 1. Starting again since I was 12, I have attended Oshkosh every year. I have been around aviation all of my life, and I wanted to make it a part of my life by obtaining my pilots license. So in the summer of 2000 (yes, that right, 2000), I started my flight training. During that summer, after flying for more than 20 hours, I heard what I though was the worst news of my life - my medical application had been denied. I couldn't believe it - I was being told that I could not obtain my life-long goal. I was not going to go down without a fight.
Unfortunately, my "fight" would have to wait - I was in the middle of attending college, and although I sent many letters, I did not have the time to gather all of the information required by the FAA.
That changed in 2007. I was out of college, had a full time job, an even bigger desire to finish my goal, and married to my beautiful wife Erin who believe it would happen. I got the required medical information gathered, and the required doctor appointments, and then applied for another medical (because my last application had expired). To my amazement, the AME said that everything was in perfect order, and handed me my medical! I could not believe I was finally holding on to a piece of paper that had eluded me for 7 years!
Things just kept getting better from there. I found the absolute best flight school; Wanda, John, and Terese make an incredible team when it comes to teaching aviation. Not only did they do an absolute superb job in preparing me for every step, they also allowed me to "live" aviation every minute I was at the airport. They will allow me to talk aviation for hours before or after a lesson (and even like it when I stop by to only to talk about aviation!) They must love flying as much as I do! To them, it is not only about learning the necessary information; to them it is about doing what you love. I must again send my thanks to Wanda, John, Terese, who helped me with my dream. Thank you.
WEEKEND GROUND SCHOOL. SEP 2007: Well, I took my test today, and I am glad to say I passed with a 98%! Thank you very much for the time taken during the ground school this past weekend - it was time very well spent. The entire weekend was laid out extremely well, and prepared us well for the exam. That's one step closer! If you happen to talk to John or Terese before I do, please thank them as well! Ryan Vechinski, Wisconsin Rapids , WI |
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November 4, 2007: Steven Kubisiak
Private Pilot,
Airman Single Engine Land.
Steven Kubisiak trained with John Thompson, Certified Flight Instructor with Am I High Aviation, LLC and passed his Private Pilot flight test with Sherwood Williams, Designated Pilot Examiner of Green Bay, Wisconsin. With his Private Pilot license less than one week old. Steven Kubisiak of Kubisiak Farms has taken friends for rides and family to Missouri. The Sky has no limits for this guy!
WEEKEND GROUND SCHOOL.
NOV, 2006. Steve Kubisiak passed his Private Pilot Knowledge test. |
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October, 2007: Keith Lee
Private Pilot, Airman Single Engine Land.
Keith wrote: "Private Pilot in 2190 days! Not a typo folks. After 6 years of working with at least 9 instructors and dealing with bad weather and too much work, I decided to STOP THE WORLD and change my approach to flight training.
I am talking about me, a student pilot for about 6 years with 120 plus hours in total flight time and still not getting there. I bought into a ½ partnership about 3 years ago as an incentive to finish up. Didn’t work. I bought myself a new Bose headset as an incentive to finish up. Didn’t work. I then proceeded to buy a nice new gps as an incentive to finish up my flight training. Didn’t work either.
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Then I remembered that I had SUCCESSFULLY completed a weekend ground school course through “AM I HIGH AVIATION, LLC” with 2 excellent professional instructors, John Thompson and Wanda Zuege, owners and operators of “AM I HIGH AVIATION, LLC” headquartered at the Steven’s Point Airport . I passed the FAA knowledge (written) test a few days later.
So I called Wanda and asked her if they work with any special situations like me, to prepare them for Check Ride Readiness. Of course, being the helpful and professional instructors they are, they said yes and prepared a syllabus for a 3 day accelerated weekend to prepare me for the Private Pilot Practical test.
When I talk about special needs, I mean I work about 60 hours per week and am 57 years old. I must say Wanda was 100% professional, encouraging, and successful in her confidence building. I learned many new things about my airplane during those 3 days. I think my wife, Holly was probably as happy as I was about the accelerated flight training that AM I HIGH AVIATION, LLC developed for me. Holly has always supported my flying but felt the frustration I was experiencing with the changing of so many instructors.
Well guess what? I just took my Checkride and passed. A really big THANK YOU to Wanda and John at “AM I HIGH AVIATION, LLC” for the part they played in making me ONE HAPPY PILOT. THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU!!! Keith Lee, Private Pilot. "Keith Lee" keleeke@charter.net
WEEKEND GROUND SCHOOL. OCT, 2006. Hi Wanda and John, yes I did take the test on Monday afternoon and yes I passed. A big thank you to both of you for a job well done. The class was excellent, the material explained in detail and I felt ready to cntinue with my flight training. I recommend your course to anyone that is wanting to fly. Thanks again." Keith Lee, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. |
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LOCAL VETERAN EARNS PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE IN 18 DAYS!
August 1, 2007. Joel Kosoris started flight training with Am I High Aviation, LLC, August 1st. Eighteen days and 40 hours later, Kosoris passed his flight test returning to his home airport of Stevens Point Municipal Airport as a licensed Private Pilot.
A Crew Chief and Mechanic for large cargo transport helicopters, Joel Kosoris served five years in the Marine Corps with two extended deployments to Iraq . With the end of his enlistment served, Kosoris was ready to depart for a new career path as a professional pilot by enrolling in the Professional Aeronautics Program. |
Supported and encouraged by his wife Stacy, an Education major at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Joel immediately started full-time flight training with John Thompson, Certified Flight Instructor with Am I High Aviation, LLC. By Wednesday, August 8, Kosoris was permitted to solo; fly without a flight instructor on board. This is a major event when every student pilot starts to build experience and confidence with their new aeronautical skills. By August 13 Joel scheduled and passed his flight test -- with flying colors! With his Private Pilot certificate in hand, Joel can now fly with passengers and can share expenses equally with passengers if he chooses.
Successfully enrolled in a Professional Aeronautics Program with a GI bill that pays 60% of his flight training, Kosoris' career-pilot path is at full-throttle towards achieving new heights as a professional aviator.
Learning to fly, like learning to drive, happens in three stages: you must pass an aeronautical knowledge test, followed by actually taking flight lessons and then pass the flight test. Training with an instructor may begin at any age, but the student learning to fly an airplane cannot fly solo (without an instructor) until age 16. |
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