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News & Upcoming Events
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Rich Stowell Named FAA CFI of the Year
This awards program is a cooperative effort between the FAA and a dozen industry sponsors. The selection process begins at local Flight Standards District Offices (FSDO) and then moves on to the nine regional FAA offices. Panels of aviation professionals within the various fields then select national winners from the pool of regional awardees. 
FAA Administrator Marion Blakey presented the national awards during a "Theater in the Woods" program at EAA AirVenture 2006 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
"These awards highlight the important role played by these individuals in promoting aviation safety and education," said JoAnn Hill, General Aviation Awards Committee chairman. "The awards program sponsors are pleased that these outstanding aviation professionals will receive the recognition they so richly deserve before their peers in Oshkosh."
2006 CFI OF THE YEAR: Master CFI-Aerobatic Rich Stowell, of Ventura, California, specializes in spin, emergency maneuver, aerobatic, and tailwheel training. When not conducting training clinics elsewhere, he instructs at CP Aviation, Inc., a Part 61 flight school at Santa Paula Airport (SZP).
As a teenager growing up in Northwestern NJ in the 1970s, Stowell was inspired by the performances of aerobatic legends Leo Loudenslager and Betty Stewart during the annual Sussex Airshow. In 1982, he took his first flying lesson at Sussex Airport in a Piper Cherokee 140. Two years and 84 hours total time later, he began aerobatic training in a Super Decathlon. Work as a consulting engineer eventually took him to Southern California, where he would spend weekends flying aerobatics from Santa Paula Airport. In 1987, his then-girlfriend (now wife) made a suggestion: “Why not quit your job and give instructing a try for a year?”
Completely immersed in aviation, Stowell developed and promoted the EMT® (Emergency Maneuver Training) Program. Spinning with pilots from all over the world led to the development of his trademark PARE spin recovery checklist. Designated an “Official Spin Doctor” by the International Aerobatic Club, Stowell has performed more than 26,800 spins with students.
Articles about Stowell’s teaching techniques have appeared in Sport Pilot, Flying, AOPA Pilot, and Air & Space magazines, to name a few. He has scripted several aviation videos, including the FAA’s “Loss of Control” series, and has written numerous articles for publications such as Aviation Safety, Plane & Pilot, and Flight Training magazines. He has authored three aviation books. The newest, available later this year, is entitled, “The Light Airplane Pilot’s Guide to Stall/Spin Awareness.”
Stowell conducts numerous safety seminars annually, crisscrossing the U.S. from Alaska to Florida, California to Massachusetts. He has given seminars and instruction in Indonesia, Japan, and Canada as well. He also maintains the Aviation Learning Center web site (www.richstowell.com). Stowell upgrades his own piloting skills by participating in the FAA Wings and IAC Achievement Awards Programs. He is a member of AOPA, EAA, IAC, and NAFI.
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The Aviation Museum of Santa Paula is holding a raffle to benefit the Aviation Museum.
A $100 ticket can win you
this Classic 1947 Stinson Voyager, or $20,000 cash, or one of eight other cash prizes. In addition, an Early Bird Drawing
will be held for cash prizes. If all 1,200 tickets are sold, there is a one is 60 chance of being a winner! Entry forms for
tickets are available at the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula's website, at CP Aviation,
at First Sunday, at the Museum Office, and numerous other locations. Only 1,200 tickets will be sold. Look for this beautifully maintained airplane on
display at First Sunday and various other upcoming aviation events. The airplane drawing will be held on September 7, 2008.
You could be a winner!
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Look Who's Back! The Pitts S2B is Now Available Again
N80AS is now back as part of the CP Aviation fleet. Come fly with Judy Phelps and get a whole new perspective!
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Welcome to Our New Flight Instructors
We are pleased to welcome new flight instructors to our staff. This allows us to better accommodate the needs of our customers
and their schedules.
Corey Politino
Sean Hogan
Chris Olmsted
Charlotte Alexander
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Judy Phelps, Master CFI - Aerobatic
Judy Phelps has been named to head the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula (AMSP)
as President of its Board of Directors.
Judy and Clay have been part of the Museum from its inception, and are very active volunteers for this nonprofit
organization. The mission of the AMSP is "To educate the public of all ages in aviation and its history, both in general, and as it relates to Santa Paula,
and to inspire, motivate and challenge the younger generation to carry on the dreams of our aviation pioneers." Clay's father, Bob, still remains on the board as
"President Emeritus".
The Ventura County Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, has also chosen Judy as Chairperson of the
local chapter for the coming year. This nonprofit organization is an essential part of the local aviation community, providing scholarships for local women pilots, monthly meetings on topics
of interest to pilots, and an extensive series of seminars held each winter for local pilots. Judy taught one of the seminars, on the topic of airspace.
In March, Judy took part in a Roundtable of Flight Instructors at the Women in Aviation international conference held in San Diego,
as part of a Q&A session from attendees.
In addition, Judy
participates in the
local chapter 49 of the International Aerobatic Club (IAC), as a board member, competing in local contests, and acting as a judge for other aerobatic pilots.
To learn more about Judy's Master CFI-Aerobatics designation,
read the press release from the National Association of Flight Instructors.
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Congratulations to Bridget Gankas, Future Woman Pilot
Bridget has been flying with us for a few months now,
and was chosen by the Ventura County Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, to receive an FWP Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship
will help pay for part of Bridget's flight training, with money being disbursed as she completes specific
milestones of her training. These scholarships are awarded twice a year.
Applications are available at CP Aviation, or check out the
VC99s website for more information.
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Come Get Checked Out In Our Diamond DA-20 Eclipse
CP Aviation has recently added a 1999 DA 20 Diamond Eclipse
to our rental aircraft fleet.
The rental rate for
this aircraft is $115 an hour.
For more information about this airplane check out this article from
Flight Training magazine.
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Coming Soon:
Cessna Skycatcher
CP Aviation is Looking Forward to New Light Sport Aircraft Training Option.
Clay and Judy signed up to receive one of the
new light sport airplanes from Cessna. The Cessna Model 162 Skycatcher is an all-metal, 100 hp engine,
high-wing airplane
with a two-person seating capacity including the pilot.
The delivery date is currently scheduled for 2009. |
Click on one of the "milestones" below to see a photo gallery of our student pilot's most recent achievements
Congratulations for First Solo Flights!
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