Dan had his first flight solo on March 2, 20005 at Reid Hillview (RHV) Airport in San Jose.  The pictures below were taken by his CFI, Max Trescott.  The solo was done in a 1978 Cessna 172 - N1948F.  A month later, on April 2, Dan completed his second cross country solo flight.  This flight was a 3.7 hour, three stop, 320nm round trip from RHV to Napa (APC) to Chico (CIC) and back.

He went on to earn his private pilots license on May 10, 2005.  It was a blustery spring day which made flying the 1999 Cessna 172 - N446SP more difficult.  Despite some bumpy weather and tough landings, examiner Paul King passed him.  Next stop:  Independence Kansas to pick up a brand new Cessna T206H.