Salvador Roman
earns Pilot's License

January 12, 2000
Santa Paula News

Salvador Roman

Salvador Roman, 33, was honored by over 40 of his friends at a luncheon at CP Aviation at Santa Paula Airport last Thursday. Sal, as his friends know him, is a 10-year Santa Paula resident. He was honored for being the city’s newest licensed pilot. Honored guests included Sal’s wife, Socorro; his son Jesus; his brother Alfonso Roman; and well-known area doctor Alan Peterson.Sal said, “Being a licensed pilot is a dream I had thought would never come true.” His first airplane ride was 10 years ago with former Santa Paula resident John Richards in his PT-22 WWII trainer. That ride inspired the dream to become a pilot.Sal’s flight training was not without mishaps. While on a solo flight, the engine quit on his Cessna 150 trainer, forcing a landing in the riverbed east of the airport. With a large family to care for, extra money for flying lessons was tough to come by. On New Year’s Day his testing period was going to end, which would force him to go through the entire process again with another commitment of time and more money.Chris Wells, office manager at CP Aviation, contacted her boss, owner Clay Phelps, and advised him of Sal’s situation. A deal was struck and Sal was told to complete his training and testing by year’s end, and not to worry about finances. He completed his flight testing on December 29, with just two days to spare.
Gifts to Sal included a set of personalized pilot’s wings presented by Mike Dewey, and a poem by Pat Quinn. His friends then made pledges to retire Sal’s debt at CP Aviation, with enough to complete his checkout in the larger Cessna 172 airplane.Sal plans to use his new license for rides for family and friends, and for flying trips to his hometown of San Alto in Zacatecas, Mexico.PHOTO



Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster