Four local pilots recently returned from what they describe as “the adventure of a lifetime,” a trip to the southernmost islands of the Caribbean in their flying club’s four-seat Cessna. Warsaw Flying Club student pilots Rylan Hughes, Avi Persad and Paramvir Sawhney flew the aircraft in rotation, while club president and flight instructor Jon Fussle guided them through the flight, according to the release from the club. Sawhney previously flew to nine different countries, territories and islands in late December. “A month ago, Avi mentioned his dream of flying down to see his family in Trinidad for Christmas. He was half-joking, just mentioned it in passing, but I told him it would not only be possible, but very educational and a whole lot of fun.” Fussle said in the release. “At first, he didn’t believe I was serious, so when he pressed me with the idea, I made a few phone calls to a few members and within a few minutes, we had our team together. I love that about our members, they’ve got to be the most adventurous lot of people I’ve ever seen.” Their travels took them through Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Stella Maris (Bahamas), the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Martinique, Trinidad, St. Croix, and the Turks and Caicos. While flight training for the students called for several hours of “50 nautical miles or more,” the three pilots went beyond the requirements, the release states. “These flights were long, stressful, flights, frequently at night, often flying in the clouds where their only source of navigation is the instruments, navigational aids and maps. The boys handled this trip like passionate aviators. Even when things didn’t go according to plan, they were always upbeat and excited,” Fussle is quoted as saying. He pointed to the pass rate club students have with the FAA pilot exams, and the club’s winning the Flight Training Excellence Award two years in a row, given to 70 flight schools nationwide. WFC will celebrate 11 years in February. The club offers existing pilots aircraft to rent and flight training for the private, commercial, and airline transport pilot licenses, in addition to the instrument and multi-engine ratings. The club also offers Discovery Flights, flight reviews for pilots, and a youth program called Young Guns, for beginner pilots ages 8-18 years old. For more information, visit warsawflyingclub.com or contact Katye Fussle at 888-566-3877 or via email at katyetom@gmail.com
