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Benjamin Mendelsohn

Aviation, Astronomy and Music are my passions. I started flying at Oakland airport in the mid seventies, have flown with several bay area clubs and am also an aircraft owner. My degrees are in engineering: Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering. I teach astronomy at a community college, I am a hot air balloon (student) pilot and I study operatic voice in my free time.
Base airport: PAO

Teaches at: PAO SQL

Accepting new students? Yes

Email: flight.training@comcast.net

Phone: 650-279-6070 Cell Phone

Hourly instruction rate: $ 65-75

Ratings held: Certificated Flight Instructor: Single and Multi Engine Airplane, Instrument ** Advanced Ground Instructor

May instruct in these aircraft types:   *Checkpilot
Cessna-152*, Cessna-172*, Cessna-172RG*, Cessna-172SP*, Cessna-177RG*, Cessna-182*, Cessna-182Turbo*, Piper Warrior PA28-161* Piper Archer II and III PA28-181*


Why are you a Certified Flight Instructor?
I love aviation and I love to teach. I have been an educator since the seventies and, when I'm not teaching flying, I am teaching Astronomy.

How long have you been instructing?
I've been teaching Kindergarten-College since the seventies and flight instructing at West Valley since 1997.

Do you tend to favor PAO, SQL, HWD or E16, and how might it affect a student's ability to schedule time?
I tend to favor teaching at PAO, but I also have had students at SQL.

How would you describe your availability in general?
I am primarily available in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.

What method of ground school do you prefer and how does it relate to your syllabus?
Since folks tend to learn better in different ways, I usually work with the student to find what they like best: formal ground school or self-paced study. I do insist that my privite pilot students complete their written exams before flying solo cross country.

What is your favorite aircraft to instruct in?
I started my training in the Cessna 150 and 152 an still think that is one of the best training aircraft, though two large adults may find the quarters of this two-seat aircraft a bit cramped. Many of my students prefer to start their training in a four place aircraft which affords more room and a faster and generally more radios and navigation equipment. Much of my instruction has been in Cessna 172, Cessna172SP, Piper Warrior and Piper Archer aircraft.

What are your aircraft recommendations for a new student?
Shop around for the most comfortable situation for you; a club you like and an instructor that you get communicate well with. You will be spending several months together.

What percentage of your students pass their checkride on the first try?
I've only had one case where a student didn't pass the first time.


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