 Contact by Phone (Members Only) |
I was born in San Francisco, and raised on the peninsula. I started flying in 1995 with Frank Sylvestri (my neighbor growing up) at the Half Moon Bay Airport. I earned my instrument, commercial, and CFI certificates with a combination of flight time at Diamond Aviation and West Valley. While in college, I earned an Associate degree in welding engineering, and a BS in criminal psychology and constitutional law. I was also an NCAA All-American in the hammer throw. I worked through high school and college in industrial manufacturing and then racing fabrication (mostly bonneville cars and drag cars) as well as running my own small business. After college I worked for a short time in special effects, then robotic welding for semiconductor manufacturing. I have worked on everything from 300 mph pontiacs and rubber whales, to coffee roasters, 125cc shifter carts, and sailboats. I even had a summer job teaching welding of exotic nickel base alloys for satellites.
For the last 10+ years, I have worked in civil service which makes it much easier to schedule my life and flying.
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Teaches at: SQL
Accepting new students? Yes
Email: victor231@hotmail.com
Hourly instruction rate: $ 55 
Special: Block rates available / special rates for police & fire
Ratings held: CFI, CFII, MEI
May instruct in these aircraft types: *Checkpilot
Cessna 152, 172, 172SP, 172RG, 182,
Piper Warrior, Archer, Archer II, Arrow, Dakota, Saratoga, T-34B
Why are you a Certified Flight Instructor?
I started flying because I always wanted to be a pilot. I want to share and pass on my enthusiasm and interest for flying to other pilots.
How long have you been instructing?
since 2004
Do you tend to favor PAO, SQL, HWD or E16, and how might it affect a student's ability to schedule time?
I like to teach at San Carlos because it's about 10 minutes from home. There are also plenty of aircraft to fly so availablity is not usually an issue.
How would you describe your availability in general?
My schedule varies a bit, but I am available all day on Sundays and Tuesdays, and after 5 pm other days. If my schedule is blocked out, it's best to call or email me to find out if I can change my schedule to fly.
What method of ground school do you prefer and how does it relate to your syllabus?
I used to prefer a formal classroom ground school because until recently, all the video programs taught you only what you need to pass the FAA written test. There are some new programs on the market that are far beyond anything that was available in the past. Formal ground schools in a classroom are great if you have the time, but the new self paced video programs can fit into anyones schedule, and you can rewind any sections you don't understand as many times as you like.
What is your favorite aircraft to instruct in?
I like instructing in the high wing Cessnas. They are a very stable platform, and they are a very forgiving airplane. They offer good visibility and comfort for a beginning pilot. The Pipers are a roomier airplane, usually a bit faster, and work well for bigger people and instrument training.
What are your aircraft recommendations for a new student?
I usually recommend the Cessnas, but it depends on the students experience, ambitions, and expectations.
What percentage of your students pass their checkride on the first try?
100%
Additional Comments:
I try my best to keep my schedule up to date but my schedule is usually flexible. If you want to schedule a flight, but I have the time blocked out, call me and I will try and rearrange my schedule. If you schedule a flight with me less than 48 hours in advance, or I haven't flown with you before, call me and let me know what the flight is for (IPC, BFR, etc). It gives me time to plan a more effective lesson, and saves you time and money.
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