Progressing Pilot

Well, Jonathan's education is progressing nicely these days! He's completed his multi-engine certification, and on Valentine's Day he completed his instrument rating, which I hear is a pretty big deal. Jonathan was very emotional and so happy to get that one finished-- it's truly a realization of a 10 year-old dream.

He's received two letters of commendation, which is a very nice and special thing for a student to receive at Flight Safety Academy. He's about to finish up his commercial rating and will soon begin his classes for his instructor rating. After he gets his instructor rating he'd like to stay on at Flight Safety for a year to teach other students, which is a common thing for former students to do at the end of their educational period. This will build up his flight experience and his resume before we look for a more permanent job in the summer of 2008.

This afternoon Jonathan had an evening/night flight and didn't plan on coming home until very very late. Since he would need a meal and since he wouldn't get to see the kids today, I brought him a sack of food and we hung around so he could play ball with the boys for a while. It was a gorgeous day and the boys loved spending some time with Dad. Here they are tossing a tennis ball on campus--click on the image for a larger view:



Oh, and today is brother Chris Hartness's 29th birthday-- Happy birthday, Uncle Chris!