Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF)! There is no way of stopping the momentum of releasing our flight school’s young and daring flightless eaglets for 1st Solo Flights at the training haven of Leading Edge’s Eagles’ Nest in San Fernando Airport, La Union! Fortunately, due to the prevailing favorable weather condition over LEIAAI’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) for five (5) consecutive days since Monday, SFLU remains conducive for flight training as a result of the unlimited horizon as well as crystal clear blue skies setting! Once again this morning, on or about 0950H and 1125H, July 27, 2018, two (2) members of Batch “Delta” 2018, Student Pilots Jeffrey John Butad Mariano, 20 years old from faraway Zamboanga Del Sur and Vicente Paolo Ladines Zotter, 25 years old from nearby Agoo, La Union and resident of Fairview, Quezon City successfully achieved their respective 1st Solo Flights courtesy of the Head of Pilot Training himself, the indefatigable Senior Flight Instructor, Capt Vladimir Evangelista! Apparently, the two (2) brand new 1st Soloists for today performed outstandingly well, with SP Jay Mariano, a product of Ateneo de Davao University, AB Political Science soloed in just 10.6 flying hours. While SP Vic Zotter, a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Singapore even made it within just 9.3 flying hours. Obviously, flying runs in the blood of Vic, as his German dad, Capt Helmuth Zotter, is a seasoned sports pilot of the Angeles Flying Sports Club. Ironically, similar to this week’s previous soloing in tandem, aside from being good looking, the duo are classmates, both soloed on the same day and were released by the same Flight Instructor as well as flew the same aircraft with tail nr. RP-C8249.
Once again, congratulations Jay and Vic for attaining the highlight and dream of all young pilots, the unforgettable “1st Solo Flight” and effectively making it in the elite short list of certified flyboys of Leading Edge. Always remember, that this is just the beginning of your climb and climbing turn maneuvers, airworks, numerous power on/off stalls, instrument flying, navigation flights as well as touch and go’s. Moreover, knowledge, skills, guts coupled with the more essential basic elements of discipline, hard work and dedication will propel you to greater heights in your quest for a very bright future in the aviation industry! Happy flying and have a Safe Flight always! Cheers & God bless!
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