Air-Mods' News

Senter Reinhardt and his Mooney Rocket

As mentioned in our Modifications and Repair page, we have customers coming back to us from as far north as Maine and as far south as Alabama.  Senter Reinhardt comes to us each year for his Mooney Rocket's annual inspection from Huntsville, Alabama.  Senter became acquainted with Dave and Air-Mods when Air-Mods was recommended to him as a shop to perform the pre-purchase inspection on the Rocket he was contemplating to purchase in 2006.  During the  pre-purchase inspection, Senter saw Air-Mods' "Wall of Fame" depicting before and after photos of heavily damaged airplanes that Air-Mods had restored to manufacturer's specs.  "If they can put those airplanes back together, then these are the guys I want to maintain my airplane."  Senter did, in fact, purchase the Rocket and has come back to Air-Mods each year since for his annual inspection.

Senter's transition to the Rocket is quite exceptional.  While finishing-up his primary flight instruction in Cessna 152's, he began contemplating an aircraft purchase.  Learning about the structural integrity and speed of Mooneys, he quickly determined that a fast Mooney would fit his mission profile for cross-country flights to visit family up and down the east coast and to points in the southwest.  Senter initially had second thoughts about purchasing such a high performance, complex airplane so quickly - afterall, he didn't even have his pilot's license.  But his wife, Rachel, embraced the decision to purchase the Rocket and he developed his transition plan.  The insurance company required him to obtain his Private Pilot's license and then required a 100 hours in complex airplanes before he could take instruction in the Rocket.  Senter got his private ticket and fulfilled the insurance prerequisites in a Piper Arrow which made the transition into the Mooney very easy.  He's now instrument rated, flys about a 100 hours per year, and loves his Mooney.  What's not to like!

Jeremy Wei Solos on 16th Birthday

Jeremy fell in love with aviation when he was a child flying with his father.  At age thirteen, Jeremy started flying lessons and has since soloed in gliders and taken aerobatic instruction.  On June 22, 2010, many of his friends and family joined him here at Air-Mods for his 16th birthday and his first solo flight in a powered airplane.  After the mandatory three take-offs and landings, both of his instructors joined him in his celebration and performed the traditional ritual of cutting the shirt off his back.
Simultaneous with his work towards his private pilot's license, Jeremy is working toward his instrument rating.  His goal now is to get his private pilot's license on his 17th birthday and, one day later, obtain his instrument rating.  We'll all be here this time next year to cheer him on!
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Roosevelt School Field Trip

On Friday, May 28th, twenty-two second and fourth graders from Roosevelt Public School (RPS) ventured on a field trip to Air-Mods to learn about aviation.  Organized by, Donna Gazzani, a RPS teacher, and Bob Meissner, a local pilot, thought that a day of aviation would interest the students and broaden their horizons.  Bob, Gene Salvatore, and our very own LIsa Campbell, brought out their airplanes and described their various parts, safety precautions, what it takes to be a pilot, and how airplanes fly.  During the morning, they also visited Posey Brothers, who restores vintage aircraft on the field, for some history about the early days of aviation.  We like to thank RPS, Donna Gazzani, Bob Meissner and his friend, and Mike and Larry Posey for helping with the event.

Roosevelt Public School (RPS), educating pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, is located between Assunpink Lake and Perrineville.  With an average class size of twelve, RPS recognizes that learning happens through a variety of activities - both inside and outside the classroom. 

Lycoming's Ray Crist Conducts Engine Seminar

On Thursday evening, May 6th, Ray Crist conducted a seminar on the history of Lycoming and the proper operation of their engines.  Ray is Lycoming's Regional Sales Manager and speaks with credibility from years of practical experience.  Among the topics discussed, Ray talked about proper leaning techniques, lubricants, roller tappets, and their new IO390 engine. 

About 15 local pilots plus the Air-Mods staff were in attendance for the interactive presentation.  Quite a few stuck around afterwards to drill Ray with even more questions.  We look forward to bringing Ray back for an encore performance.

New Student:  Catherine Tomasulo

Catherine is just one of our newest students. 
From nearby Chesterfield, NJ, she has an undergrad degree in Economics from Northwestern University and will be a medical student at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School this fall.

Catherine's passion for flying was fueled at an early age when listening to her Grandfather tell stories of his time as a fighter pilot.  She is working with Stephanie Shonk (CFII, MEII, and ATP) to complete her instruction and earn her Private Pilot's License before school starts this fall.

Most all student pilots dream of flight destinations as a Private Pilot.  Catherine hopes that one of her first flights will be to take her family to the Outer Banks of NC.  With Cahterine's demonstrated ambition and determination in prior accomplishments, we're sure she'll achieve the piloting and decision-making skills to accomplish this goal, too.

Colorado Student Pilot Buys first Airplane

When Mike Robbinson started flying lessons, he dreamed of owning his very own airplane.  Living in Colorado Springs, CO and having family scattered across the Plain States, Mike's wife supported the idea of flying trips rather than spending countless hours in the car.  Mike found N5688W on our website, a 1963 PA-28 160 Cherokee, that fit his mission profile and his budget.  The only problem, he only had his student pilot's license and needed several prerequisites before taking his check-ride. 

Dave and Lisa suggested that Mike take some vacation time, come to Robbinsville, and focus on getting some of the prerequisites behind him.  That's exactly what he did!  Mike finished his primary training, passed his written test, and accomplished his cross-country requirements - all while getting comfortable in his new airplane.  Needing to get back home, one of our instructors, Kyle Lehrhoff, flew right-seat with Mike back to Colorado where Mike will schedule his check-ride.  Check back soon to see how Mike did with his check-ride!