Meet Bob Z and
some of the pilots he's trained:
Bob Zanella
Bob Zanella is one of the founders of
The Flying Grasshoppers and is the club's flight instructor. Bob's interest in aviation began
as a child when he went to work on a farm that also served as the local airport. Bob served in
the US Army Air Corps during
WWII as an aircraft mechanic and mechanic's instructor, keeping B-25's, P-51's, and B-29's flying.
Later, Bob worked in the aerospace industry on projects like the Apollo program's Lunar Module.
Bob retired from the Walt Disney Company in 1990, where he supervised maintenance of the parks' attractions,
ensuring that the magic happened on cue for visitors to the Disney theme parks.
Bob began flying light aircraft in the 1960's
and has been flight instructing since 1972. His certificates and ratings include Commercial, Instrument,
and CFII (Certified Flight Instructor, Instrument) in single engine land airplanes and Private Pilot in
multiengine land airplanes. Nowadays, when Bob isn't flying with students, he's either fishing, traveling,
or working on his latest home remodeling project with his wife, Ruth. You can
email Bob or give him a call at 407-299-8504.
Sven Bräuning
Sven began flight instruction with Bob as a member of the Flying Grasshoppers in the
spring of 1994, while on a year-long work contract at Disney's Epcot Center. Earning his US Private Pilot
Certificate convinced Sven that he really would be able to achieve his life-long dream of becoming a
professional pilot. After returning home, Sven applied for admission and, after rigorous testing, was
accepted into Germany's Lufthansa Airlines pilot training program. Sven, who lives in Düsseldorf,
Germany, now flies an Airbus 320 for Lufthansa. However, when Sven returns to Florida for a sunny
vacation, you can find him winging through the skies in the same type of single-engine Cessna in
which he made his first solo flight. If you'd like to find out more about Sven's initial flight training
experience with The Grasshoppers, drop him a line.
Gunnar Jässing
Gunnar also came to The Grasshoppers through the Epcot work
exchange program. Born in Limbach-Oberfrohna in what was then East Germany, as a child Gunnar dreamed
of airplanes and the freedoms he might find in the West. In 1997, one of Gunnar's dreams came true
when he earned his Private Pilot Certificate. Gunnar is now attending law school in Hannover and when
he has time to take a break and come back for a visit with his American friends, you'll find him soaring
through the Central Florida skies. If you'd like to find out more about Gunnar's flight training
experience, you can email him. You might have to wait a while
for a response, however -- Gunnar is one of the busiest people we know!
Sylvia Kirkendoll
That's me, the designer and author of this web site.
I joined The Flying Grasshoppers and began my flight training in 1985. I gained more than a new
hobby -- my flight training and aviation experience have opened doors in my professional and personal
life, and built the confidence that has allowed me to take hold of new career opportunities.
During my flight training, I discovered an interest in and aptitude for teaching, and I've had
the pleasure of assisting Bob with tutoring students in the ground school portion of their
training. If you have any questions about flight training that aren't answered elsewhere on this
web site, you can email me.
Todd Brandenburg
When Todd began his flight training in 1985,
his goal was to earn his Private Pilot certificate but before he'd taken his checkride he knew he
wanted a career in aviation. After his initial training, Todd attended Comair Aviation Academy in
Sanford, Florida where he earned his ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate. Todd instructed at
Comair for two years following his graduation from the school and then began flying for Comair Airline.
He's now Captain Brandenburg, and you'll find him winging over Florida and the East Coast in a Boeing
737.
Paul Martin
In 1995 Paul decided that he wanted to add
"Private Pilot" to the list of his life's accomplishments. Ever the over-achiever, Paul scored 100%
on his Private Pilot written exam and wowed the examiner on his checkride. Paul is a self-employed
entrepreneur who operates a computer-training school in Sarasota, Florida.
