Jack Fridley - Lewis University A&P and Commercial Pilot candidate
Alumnus Jack Fridley took a glider ride with Jeanne Pitsenberger in the summer of 2014 and it was love at first flight! He was 13 years old at the time and used to ride his bike every weekend to Eagle's Nest to take gliding lessons.
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During his junior year of high school, Jack started to work on his A&P license at nearby Shenandoah Regional Airport (KSHD). For college, he attended Lewis University, outside of Chicago, graduating in May 2024 with a dual degree in Aviation Maintenance and Aviation Flight.
He has his Private Pilot license and Instrument rating, and is currently working on his Commercial license. The University hired him in January 2023 as an A&P mechanic, and he works on the airplanes that he flies. He is the only person at the University with this dual degree combination!
This picture shows instructor Jay Darmstadter signing Jack's logbook after one of his flights in the club's Schweizer 2-33, affectionately known as "The Mail Truck". The club is pleased to cheer Jack on as he celebrates his success to date and continues his aviation career! |
Randy Branch - Delta Airline, 757 Captain
Alumnus Randy Branch, whose aviation career started with Shenandoah Valley Soaring at Eagle's Nest airport in Waynesboro (W13) when he was a young teenager, was promoted to captain at Delta Airline in April 2021. At 36 years old, Randy is the second youngest 757 captain at Delta!
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Randy was introduced to gliders and airline cockpits early in life - in this picture, at 18 months of age, he enjoys an early tour of his future workplace! In the photo at the top of the page, he is shown with his sister at the airport with a remote control glider. Its never too young to start!
Randy learned to soar at SVS under the careful instruction of Walter Grooms, starting at age 14, soloing at 15 and receiving his private license at age 16.
Randy and his father Bud Branch got their private glider licenses at the same time at Eagle's Nest. 
This picture was taken on that big day for the Branch family: Randy in the glider, with his dad Bud, and their designated examiner John Molumphy who performed both checkrides. After high school, Randy attended and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. |