Jerra Johnson - Jan. 23, 2024
Jerra soloed on January 23 at KPKB, Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport (West Virginia) on Runway 21 on what looks like a very cold day! She writes:
"I’m a recent high school graduate ( May '23). I fell in love with aviation about a year ago! I thought I wanted to work in ATC but then I went on a discovery flight and immediately fell in love."
"After high school I was fortunate to get a job at River Town Aviation! I’m the head aviatrix of the flight school and I help in our shop at well (River Town Aircraft Service). I’ve worked here since August and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I love all the people I work with and they help me strive to be a better pilot."
"I wouldn’t be in the aviation world without these people: Will Turned, Josh Wilson, Seth Bertram, Steve Peters, Andy Danials, Alex Martinsen and Keaton Thompson. All of them have given me opportunities I couldn’t have dreamed of in a million years. They push me to be the best I can. They encourage me to keep going. They have helped make me the person I am today and I couldn’t thank them enough. They are the best group of people I’ve ever met and I couldn’t be more happy to be apart of it."
Auroa Engel - January 2023
Auroa jumped through many hoops to obtain her medical after an initial deferment last summer. She kept her dream alive with refresher and proficiency flights while waiting to hear from the FAA. However, Aurora says it made her doubt her career choice at the time, being held up right at the start of her training for what eventually amounted to seven months. But, two weeks after she received her medical, she soloed for the first time in January of 2023 – a few tears of happiness might have been shed.
Aurora writes, "The minute I got up in the plane and landed I knew I was doing and pursuing the thing I was meant to do for the rest of my life!"
Aurora writes, "The minute I got up in the plane and landed I knew I was doing and pursuing the thing I was meant to do for the rest of my life!"