Student Achievements
The Pilot Wall-of-Fame - Solo Flights and Checkrides - 2026
Every pilot remembers their firsts. The first time they took off alone. The moment they landed after their checkride, officially certified. The day they earned a new rating or stepped into the left seat as a Certified Flight Instructor for the first time. At Safety In Motion Flight Center we believe every milestone deserves to be celebrated. When training for your Private Pilot certificate, flight training is divided into two phases: Dual Flight Time (flying with your instructor onboard) and Solo Flight Time (you, the aircraft, and the sky). That first solo is a moment you'll carry with you for the rest of your flying life. It's also steeped in tradition, like the time-honored ritual of cutting off and displaying the back of a student's shirt after their first solo flight.
From solo flights and Private Pilot checkrides to Instrument Ratings, Commercial certificates, Multi-Engine ratings, and CFI milestones, our Wall of Fame honors the achievements of pilots at every stage of their aviation journey right here in Puyallup, WA and Olympia, WA.
Are you ready to earn your place on the Wall? CONTACT US today and Start Flying!
You can find previous years HERE.
A little clouds won't stop us. Congratulations to Maksym Shulyak for passing his Instrument Checkride on 7/10/2026. Aided by his instructor Grayson Judd, he is one of the few brave enough to fly in our Cessna 150.
Congratulations to Anthony Gotay for passing his Private Pilot License checkride on 07/06/26! Thank you to his CFI, Fallon Hale, and DPE Marie Kellerman. Congratulations Anthony!
The traditional cutting of the shirt for Shion Alvarado's first SOLO flight by his CFI, Camryn Beidler. Congratulations Shion!!
John Huglen's Private Pilot SOLO flight by his CFI, Tanner Stephens. Congratulations John!!
Congratulations to Nicholas Gard for passing his Commercial Pilot License checkride on 06/16/26! Thank you to his CFI, Jenelle Cross. Congratulations Nick!
The traditional cutting of the shirt for Kenyan's first SOLO flight by his CFI, Jeremy Dao. Congratulations Kenyan!!
A New Commercial Pilot takes to the skies! Congratulations to Kevin Hall on passing the Commercial Pilot Checkride. And thanks to his CFI, Jake Adams, and DPE, Julie Passch!!!
Rachel Laurent passed the Private Pilot PL checkride!! Many thanks to CFI Trace Erwin. Congratulations, Rachel!
The traditional cutting of the shirt for Daniel Berhe's first SOLO flight by his CFI, Jeremy Dao. Congratulations Daniel!!
The traditional cutting of the shirt for Jay Bounma's first SOLO flight by his CFI, Kylie Eastman. Congratulations Jay!!!
The traditional cutting of the shirt for Kevin Jacques first SOLO flight by his CFI, Kylie Eastman. Congratulations Kevin!
Joshua Sharpe's first SOLO flight! With CFI Jake Adams. Congratulations Joshua!!
Mitchell Perantie passed his Private Pilot PL checkride on March 31. Many thanks to CFI Kylie Eastman, and DPE Julie.
Congratulations!! to Dan Bennett on his Private Pilot Solo Flight, and thanks to CFI Tanner Stephens.
A New Commercial Pilot is in our midst! Congratulations to Kristin Kinzig on passing the Commercial Pilot Checkride March 22nd. Also pictured is her instructor Grayson Judd whom helped her on her path to success.
Congratulations to Angela King for passing her Private Pilot License checkride on 03/10/26! Her CFI was Lauren Moorhead, and DPE was Marie Kellerman.
Congratulations!! to Michael Robinson on his Private Pilot Solo Flight, and thanks to CFI Jake Adams.
Congratulations to Daniel Bennett on his Private Pilot Solo Flight, and thanks to CFI Tobias Rhoden.
Congratulations to Jessica Schreiber for passing her Instrument Checkride! Thank you to CFI, Jake Adams.
Congratulations to Quentin Webb for passing his Instrument Checkride! Thank you to his CFI Jake Adams.
The traditional cutting of the shirt for Miguel Villeda's first SOLO flight! By CFI's Camryn Beidler. Congratulations Miguel!
Congratulations to Kia Bentley for passing his Instrument Checkride! Thank you to his CFI Trace Erwin and DPE Maureen Mayo.