June, 2006
Amber Hodorek Solos!

On June 2, 2006, Amber Hodorek soloed for the first time.  The wind did not cooperate for the special occasion and persisted with a nasty crosswind at 13 miles-per-hour with gusts up to 18 miles-per-hour.  While it presented yet another challenge to an already challenging day for Hodorek, she handled it with the grace and coolness of a seasoned professional.

The warbird rides were in town and had just finished up for the evening when Amber pulled onto the tarmac to let her instructor, Jon Fussle, out of the airplane, so a small crowd lingered to watch this new pilot stretch her wings.  On hand specifically for the event were her husband (Brian Hodorek), sister, and parents.

The crowd of about 10 people watched on as Amber took to the skies and executed three takeoffs and landings perfectly.  While it is unusual to have a student pilot solo in such windy conditions, Jon Fussle found Hodorek to be more than prepared to handle the conditions for the day.

"Amber is the most well-prepared student I've ever had," Fussle says.  "She's extremely talented and hard-working, and that, together with her being ready for each lesson, has gotten her farther, faster than any previous student.  I've had students who were more talented, prepared, or hard-working; but she brings it all together and has advanced in leaps and bounds."  He continued, "I might also add that she is so enjoyable to be around.  This has been a lot of fun for me."

Amber Hodorek works for AvShop, the second largest online retailer of pilot supplies.  She graduated from Warsaw High School and Indiana Wesleyan University. 

Jon Fussle is the President and Founder of the Warsaw Flying Club, established in February of 2004.  He started the Club to provide fun and affordable flight training to the residents of Kosciusko County, as well as safe and affordable aircraft to the pilot community in the area.  The Club has five flight instructors available and offers four aircraft to its members.

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