Cub Solo

Tyler soloed the Cub tonight. Sweet landings Tyler!

The Magic of First Flight

I've shared this video before but I can't stop watching it.  It's guaranteed to make you smile.

If you've never flown in a small aircraft on a beautiful day you NEED to put it on your bucket list.  Then, when you're ready to cross it off, give me a call . . .  

New Private Pilot

Congratulations to Craig Thomes

Craig passed his PPL checkride at PEA last Saturday

New Private Pilot

Congratulations to Dave Lewis

Dave passed his PPL checkride last Tuesday

New Private Pilot

Adin Sehic passed his PPL checkride last Thursday.  Congratulation Adin! 

First Solo

Brian Stockton soloed the DSMFC Archer Monday evening on what had 

to be the hottest night this year; I swear it was a hundred degrees! 

Congratulations Brian . . .

New CFI

Congratulations to Eric Reese, Des Moines Flying Club's newest Flight Instructor.

Hawkeye Flyers Tailwheel Club - New Member

Congratulations to Tom Drew 

Tom earned his tailwheel endorsement Sunday. 

We did it in my favorite Decathlon . . .

New Pilot

Alex Ritter passed his PPL check-ride today. Alex attends Moody Bible College in Spokane, Washington and finished up his training while he was home for the summer. His goal is to become a missionary pilot. He's heading back to school tomorrow with a Private Pilot certificate in his pocket. 

Congratulations Alex!

Another Solo

John Skinner soloed the Taylorcraft at Osceola (I75) yesterday.  Congratulations John . . .

Solo!

Jesse Jones soloed the Taylorcraft at Osceola Sunday. And, he did it with the doors off!  Get this, there were six Taylorcraft in the air at I75 last Sunday evening. I'll bet there's not another airport in America that can say that. Congratulations Jesse . . .

New Member in the Tailwheel Club

Congratulations to Eric Humphrey the newest member of the Hawkeye Flyers tailwheel club.  Eric qualified for his tailwheel endorsement today.

Happy Birthday Tyler

It's Tyler's Birthday and Andrea surprised him with an intro ride. What a great girlfriend!

Do you know someone who has a birthday or anniversary? Or someone who has always wanted to learn how to fly. An intro ride makes a great gift. Call me and set something up.

New Private Pilot

Congratulations to Robert Gray. Robert passed his Private Pilot checkride Saturday and he did it with some pretty challenging weather conditions. 

New Tailwheel Pilot

Congratulations to Matt Bednar! Matt has mastered the Citabria and is now qualified in tailwheel aircraft. 

First Solo

Craig Thomes soloed @ DSM tonight. Congratulations Craig . . .

New IFR Pilot

Stuart Rauh passed his IFR checkride Friday and he did it

with the wind gusting to 30 knots. Stuart's a good stick. 

Our biggest challenge was making sure he had the required 

40 hours before he went to the checkride. Congratulations 

Stuart . . .

First Solo

Adin Sehic soloed the Cherokee 140 today. Congrats Adin!

First Lesson

Teri Jungblut had a fantastic first lesson today. She did a great job and she is still smiling!

Dave's First Solo

Dave Lewis soloed the SR22 at OXV today and his landings were perfect! 

Check out the video . . .

Go Tyler!

A former student contacted me last week with some news.  I've pasted a photo and clip from the email below. 

Anyways, thought I would check in and let you know where I'm at and what I'm doing. I'm commissioned as a 2nd Lt in the USAF down in Pensacola, Florida, in flight school.  We're training on the T6 Texan II.  It's an 1,100hp turbo prop powered aircraft. Here is a picture of my class. I'm the 5th one from the right. 

Hope all is well back home and congratulations on your retirement!

Congratulations Tyler. Give em hell and keep me posted . . . 

First Lesson

Craig Thomes flew his first lesson today. Congrats to Craig . . .

New IFR Pilot . . .

Belated congratulations to Barb Broderick. Barb pass her IFR check-ride recently and I finally got a picture. Get this, she did it without a GPS or autopilot! The next time I hear you guys complaining about how hard it is I'm going to ask Barb to show you how it's done . . .

First Flight

Andrew Cleveringa took his first lesson today. Great job Andrew . . .

Fly the Citabria!

Is it time for a flight review?  How about adding a tailwheel endorsement while your at it?

This beautiful aircraft is available for dual instruction.  It makes a perfect birthday or anniversary present and gift certificates are available.  Contact me now and let's take the Citabria for a "SPIN"!

Details available at:  www.HawkeyeFlyers.com

Have you ever wondered where they got the name CItabria?

It's "AIRBATIC" backwards.

New IFR Pilot . . .

Matt Bednar passed his IFR checkride last Saturday.  Congratulations Matt!

Robert Solos 74K

Robert Gray soloed Archer 74K today!

1st Solo . . .

"Non-flyers will never understand the wonderful sensation a new student pilot feels upon achieving lift for the very first time . . . SOLO! At that precise moment when your landing gear breaks free from the crust of this troubled planet, a pilot's soul begins to soar. And when your wings win their battle with gravity and the houses get smaller, it is then that we can proudly state that as members of a most elite family of licensed aviators, we are the luckiest SOBs on the face of the Earth" - Av8rdan, 11 December, 2005

Benny's BD Fly-in

Hanging out at Corydon (0E9) . . .

1st Solo

Christopher Austin soloed the Decathlon!

Congratulations Chris!

New Tailwheel Pilot

Craig Davidson has qualified for a tailwheel endorsement and is now a member of the tailwheel club.

Check out that nice Cessna 120 he's leaning on. The polished prop really sets it off.

New Multi-Engine Instructor

Guess who passed the MEI checkride?

Big thanks to Larry and Shane at PEA!

Cross Country

Chris Austin completed his first dual cross-country to Blakesburg Antique Airfield Saturday. It was a tricky landing at IA27. Uphill with winds gusting to 27kts. Nice job Chris!

1st Solo!

Alex Ritter soloed the 172 at IKV last Wednesday. I told him "let me out and and go do two or three on your own". I think I counted five. I thought I was going to have to fly up and get him down ;-).

Alex also graduated from Urbandale High School this week.  Not a bad week!

New IFR Pilot

Al Hummel passed his Instrument checkride on Tuesday April 24th.
Congratulations Al!

Light Sport Training

Are you interested in training in or flying a light sport aircraft? Clear Skies Flying Club has a beautiful CTLS available. Call me for details.

First Lesson

Brock B takes his first lesson. Brock is a powered parachute pilot and has decided to add a fixed wing rating.

AOPA Online: Ask ATC

AOPA Online: Ask ATC

1st solo!

Eric R. soloed the 140 today. Good job Eric .  .  .

Tyler E. soloed 17S tonight. I figure when he can land the airplane better than I can it's time for me to get out.

The Nash Field Potluck and Fly-in is this Saturday, October 15th

The fly-in has been expanded to include the noon meal as
well as the evening meal. Grills will be hot at both times.

Picnic tables and grills will be set up in Alan's hangar and
Kelly and Alan will making ice cream.  Bring something to
grill, something to sit on and a dish to share with other air
minded folks.

The runway is in great shape and we have plenty of space
to park your aircraft. Come fly all day and enjoy the excellent
weather we have on order.

Radios are optional but CTAF is 122.7.

Help us spread the word. Tell your friends to fly in also.

Take care . . .     Rick G.

Skybolt Project

This is John Nelson's Skybolt project. John started building in 1974 and is nearing completion. Stop by Nash Filed (IA66) next Saturday and help us hang the wings.

Geoff T. Completes Solo Cross-Country

Navigating across Iowa in a small plane is no big deal for Geoff. Check out his blog @ http://www.journeyrider.net/. You can read about his adventure riding a motorcycle from Iowa to the tip of South America.

New IFR Pilot

Marty H. passed his IFR checkride Friday. Congrats Marty . . .

New IFR Pilot

Todd B. passes his IFR checkride

Flying the Super "D" with Mr. "T"

Tyler's Decathlon Checkout

Nash Field Potluck and Flyin

When: Saturday - October 15th, 2011 - From Noon to ???
Where: Nash Filed Airport (IA66) - Indianola, IA

• Bring something to grill, something to share and something to sit in.
• We'll light the grills at noon and again at 05:00
• Fly in or drive in, plenty of parking 
• Everyone is welcome and bring a friend

Austin's First Flight

View from the Penthouse