Source: Charles Sojka, 785-826-2979, cksojka@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Natalie Blair, 785-826-2642, nblair@k-state.edu

Friday, Sept. 18, 2009

K-STATE AT SALINA FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR EARNS KEY FLIGHT RATING

SALINA -- Charles Sojka, an instructor of aviation at Kansas State University at Salina, has earned his single engine sea plane rating from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The rating means Sojka is qualified to take off and land on water in a single-engine plane. It also means he is qualified to help K-State at Salina aviation students learn about what it takes to earn this rating.

"The benefit to the aviation program is that students who might be interested in obtaining their sea plane rating -- and almost every pilot says he/she would like to get a sea plane rating sometime -- will have a resource person to describe what it entails beforehand," Sojka said.

Sojka also has a commercial pilot certificate with single engine land, multiengine land and instrument ratings; has a flight instructor certificate with certified flight instructor instrument and multiengine instructor ratings; has an airframe and powerplant certificate with inspection authorization; and is a designated maintenance examiner.

Sojka served in the U.S. Army for two years and earned a bachelor's in industrial arts education with teaching certification and bachelor's in business administration, both from Oklahoma State University.

K-State at Salina's department of aviation has a modern fleet of more than 40 learning aircraft and is located adjacent to a 12,000-foot runway. The aviation program offers degrees in aircraft maintenance, professional pilot, technology management and engineering technology; and offers certificates in air traffic control, airframe and powerplant, airport management, avionics maintenance technology and unmanned aerial systems.