CP Aviation blog

Flight School also Celebrates 25 Years in Business

Santa Paula, CA—The Chamber of Commerce for the City of Santa Paula, CA recently named CP Aviation, Inc. its 2011 Business of the Year. Presented annually since 1983, CP Aviation is only the second airport business in Santa Paula to receive such recognition. The flight school will be honored at an awards luncheon on February 7, 2012.

Started by Clay Phelps in 1987, this year also marks CP Aviation’s 25th anniversary on the Santa Paula Airport. The business has thrived through five U.S. Presidencies, two significant economic downturns, the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and a flood that washed away one-third of the airport’s only runway. Perhaps best known for its world-renowned Emergency Maneuver Training and tailwheel transition programs, CP Aviation is a full-service, Part 61 FBO and Cessna Pilot Center.

Nowadays, Phelps manages the maintenance side of the business, while wife Judy Phelps manages the flight school side. The operation currently has 25 employees and 19 aircraft. Rental aircraft range from the Cessna 162 Skycatcher to the Cessna 182RG, and from the 7ECA Citabria to the Pitts S-2B. The fleet logs 6,000 hours annually. CP Aviation has a Designated Pilot Examiner on staff, and is home to two National Flight Instructors of the Year: Judy Phelps (2011) and Rich Stowell (2006), both of whom are Master Aerobatic Instructors and Charter Members of the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE).

According to Clay Phelps, “Our business is really about building relationships. We have been privileged to operate from an historic general aviation airport located in a scenic valley, work with a very supportive local community, attract wonderful employees, and enjoy the best customers a business could ask for.” CP Aviation is planning a 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, June 2nd.

2010 CP Aviation Emergency Maneuver Training Scholarship Winner – In Memory of Vicki Cruse 

CP Aviation is pleased to announce this year’s winner of the Emergency Maneuver Training Scholarship, Vera Martinovich.  Vera works for Boeing as an aircraft flight control engineer and is also a part time flight instructor.  Vera said that she did not know Vicki but talked to her at Oshkosh a few years back.

In her essay she said “I’d like to take the EMT course to become a more effective teacher”.  She also goes on to say “I believe expanding one’s experience beyond garden variety “nosedragger” Cessnas and Pipers will help any pilot improve his or her confidence and skill level.  I would like to help other pilots gain that experience, even as I improve my own flying and teaching skills.  It would be an honor to pass Vicki’s legacy on to other pilots” 

The purpose of this Scholarship is to promote aviation safety through unusual attitude and aerobatic training so it’s fitting that Vera who is a CFI will be able to share the experience with her students.  Congratulations Vera!

CP Aviation plans to continue giving the Scholarship in Memory of Vicki for years to come.