Brent Schlotfeldt, Center Point, Iowa, received his Private Pilot certificate May 26, 2006, only 39 days after his first flying lesson! Most flight students require several months or even years to accomplish this objective.
Brent is pictured here sitting in the beautiful, well equipped, Piper Warrior which he owns in partnership with Jeff Iben. "I wasn't as excited as I thought I might be," Brent commented following the one flight which he will always remembered--his first solo flight on May 4. "It's a lot quieter up there without you along!" he told his instructor.
He is a real estate developer with a current project in progress at Fairfax, or as Brent says, "It's right under us when on a long final to one-three." He and his wife have three active young boys and live in Center Point.
Mike Noel, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner from Cedar Rapids, administered the practical test Friday afternoon. Before the test can be given, the applicant must have logged 40 flight hours, including 3 hours of flight by reference to instruments and 3 hours of flight at night.
Brent had already passed the written exam, for which he prepared by independent study, when he began his flight lessons. His goal was to receive his Private Pilot certificate by the end of May and the goal was met.
Progress was delayed about one week due to weather conditions. However, the fact that the airplane was always available, Brent was always available because of the high priority he put on this activity, and his instructor was always available because he is otherwise jobless (retired!) were key factors in completing the rigorous course on such an accelerated schedule.
He is shown above with his instructor, Keith Williams. Over the last three decades, Keith has instructed for PS Air, Rockwell Collins Flying Club, Wathan's, Mason City Aviation, Waseca Aviation, and independently.
Training is done through PS Air, a full-service FBO at CID. Iowa Flight Training, LLC, (IFT) Vinton, Iowa, manages all flight training activies for PS Air. Keith and several other instructors provide flight training through IFT.
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