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Proud Members of:

Iowa Bed & Breakfast Guild

Iowa City Chamber of Commerce

Iowa City Convention & Visitor's Bureau

From May through November, 2007, Joe trained intensively for his Private Pilot's certificate.  On Saturday, November 24th, he earned his wings by passing his check ride with Tommy Tomkins, the FAA's designated examiner in Burlington, Iowa.

Then, on Sunday, November 25th, he took his first passenger for a flight -- his dad!  Joe and Jay flew down to Muscatine and back, completing a flight that they had both made hundreds of times before -- but not quite in the same way!

We are incredibly proud of Joe.  Less than 1/100th of 1% of the world's population is a pilot, and he has truly earned his place in the sky!

Click here to view a video of Joe returning from his checkride.

Click here to view a video of Joe and Jay's flight together.

Click here to read a narrative of their flight.

Here are some post-checkride pics:

Joe with Scott, one of his two CFIs	New Pilot Joe and his trusty steed, a Cessna 150	Congrats from the family for the new pilot!	Becca heading to give Joe a hug!
A hug and a kiss from Mom!	Scott took a family portrait	And a post-checkride toast at Godfather's Pizza!

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And here are some pics from Joe and Jay's flight:

Joe preflighting the 150	It helps to be spry, if you fly a high-wing!	Doing the walk around...	Completing his pre-flight checks...
The Muscatine power plant	Jay & Joe in flight...	Joe concentrating, despite a camera in his face!	What a look!
Looking good and in command	Final approach at Muscatine	The sunset as we flew home	The 150s basic instrument panel
Flying up the Mississippi River	Flying over Kinnick Stadium	Zipping past the hotel as we land back in Iowa City	Landing in Iowa City
Nearly dark, Joe posing with his trusty steed