Mission Accomplished: Elite Aviation A&P/IA Obtains Private Pilot Certificate

By Carmelo Turdo

Elite Aviation is always a busy place, with flight students and their instructors reviewing the day's lessons, planning their flights and heading out the door to one of the late-model Cessna 172 aircraft waiting for them on the apron. The maintenance shop is also abuzz with activity as the technicians work on keeping the fleet ready for students and renters while also serving individual and corporate customers as well. This year, the two operations forged an even closer link when one of the Elite Aviation maintainers, Joshua Rouse, also became one of their flight students and recently achieved his Private Pilot Certificate.

The Aero Experience last reported on his progress back in March when Rouse was in his early solo flight phase and doing pattern work with CFII Corey Redington. In our first story and video, Elite Aviation Maintenance Technician on Quest to Obtain Private Pilot's Certificate, we learned that his love for aviation was nurtured as a child growing up the son of a U.S. Air Force pararescue pilot. Rouse joined the U.S. Army in his senior year of high school and put his dreams of military flying on hold while serving as a combat infantryman and later as a helicopter mechanic in the Reserves. Working for Elite Aviation as an A&P/IA gave him the opportunity to reconnect with his desire to fly, this time with a thorough knowledge and appreciation of the capabilities of the aircraft themselves. 

After training with his CFI and occasionally with other instructors on staff at Elite Aviation, he completed the written exam and made the appointment with FAA Designated Flight Examiner Matt Conrad for November 27th. We pick up the story as Rouse and Conrad head out to the aircraft for the final phase of the all-day evaluation.    

The nearly 1.5hr flight took them out to the west practice area, then south to make approaches at Washington Regional Airport and back to Spirit of St. Louis Airport. 

Upon their return, we quickly learned the results - a smooth check ride and a satisfied Flight Examiner! Here we show the arrival and photos of Joshua Rouse with CFII Corey Redington, FAA Designated Flight Examiner Matt Conrad and Elite Aviation's John Tipton. 

The Aero Experience returned on December 1st for a follow-up interview, and we found him back at work in the maintenance hangar as expected. This time he had other plans after his shift, including a flight with his wife, Amanda, that afternoon. 

Joshua Rouse's story is better told in his own words, and here we include our two-part video series with the interviews and flight scenes that will entertain and inspire you. The Aero Experience thanks Joshua Rouse, Corey Redington, Elite Aviation and everyone who contributed to making our coverage possible.