Student stories · Milestone
Two takeoffs. Two landings. Nobody in the right seat.
Nazeem soloed for the first time in N41459, our Piper Warrior, at the Salinas Airport.
From the cockpit camera and the ground. Turn the sound on.
The day
Nazeem came to North Aero with just a desire to learn to fly. He didn’t know that when he walked in the door, he would be given a free intro flight. From then on he was hooked. He knew he had to learn to fly.
Nazeem went through all the steps with the TSA to qualify to learn to fly with us here. He knocked down every barrier that stood in his way. For some people, the barriers are time, money, the TSA, and the medical.
Nazeem was diligent and took each step that led him to this solo. He earned it with consistent flying, studying, and showing up with an amazing attitude.
All of us here at North Aero love seeing him show up because his smile is infectious. Now that he’s soloed, I suspect that his smile will somehow be even bigger.
Why it matters
A first solo is the first time a student pilot flies with no one else on board. Every pilot remembers it.
It is earned, not scheduled. Among other requirements, FAA rule 14 CFR 61.87 requires pre-solo flight training and the instructor’s endorsement in the student’s logbook. The instructor also gives a knowledge test and reviews every missed answer with the student.
At North Aero, your instructor signs you off when you are ready, and not before.
September 29, 2026, Salinas Airport (KSNS).
His instructor is Gabriel Barajas, CFI. Read Gabe’s story →
A discovery flight is how nearly everyone here began.
