Blue Skies and Big Milestones: Celebrating a Summer of Success at Crosswind Aviation

Crosswind Aviation - September 16, 2026

Summer at Crosswind Aviation is always energetic, but this season reached new heights! Our classes were bustling, our simulators were running full steam, and our instructors were up in the air from sunrise to sunset. Thanks to clear Texas skies and relentless dedication, a fantastic group of aviators pushed through the heat to complete their checkrides for Private Pilot Certificates and Instrument Ratings.

Celebrating Our Summer Graduates

Earning a pilot certificate or rating takes dozens of hours of ground school, endless oral exam prep, precise pattern work, and the nerves of steel required for checkride day. We are immensely proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of these stand-out aviators:

• Jack Stephens

• Holden Abdullah

• Connor Hanna

• Zane Todd

• Mark Merki

• Ronnie Crossland

• Kyle Patteson

Whether you just earned your wings as a brand-new Private Pilot or added the Instrument Rating to push your skills into the clouds, your Crosswind family salutes you. Blue skies and smooth landings ahead!

• 

  Ronnie Crossland - PPL

• 

  Zane Checkride

• 

  Mark Merki Private Pilot

• 

  Jack Stephens - Private checkride

• 

  Kyle Patteson - Instrument checkride

• 

  Holden Abdullah Checkride

• 

  Connor Checkride

Taking Off to Higher Education 🎓✈️

In addition to our checkride success stories, summer brings a bittersweet tradition: saying see-you-later to aviators heading off to the next stage of their journey. This fall, four of our Crosswind students have off-headed to college to pursue degrees in Aviation!

Watching students start their flight training at our flight school in Fredericksburg and take those foundation skills toward collegiate aviation programs and commercial airline paths is what we live for. We can't wait to follow your collegiate and professional flight careers.

Ready to Start Your Own Aviation Journey?

Whether you're dreaming of flying for fun, aiming for a professional career in the airlines, or looking to add a rating to your logbook, there’s no better time to get in the cockpit.

Stop by the flight line at Crosswind Aviation or contact us today to schedule your Discovery Flight!