(Golani with one of his students | Photo courtesy of RDD Enterprises)
Let’s face it. With the high cost of living in Central Oregon, the aviation industry is severely challenged with attracting and retaining good employees. But leave it to the relentlessly innovative crew at RDD to develop a unique way to invest in its valuable team members: Free flying lessons.
“Most everyone who contributes to the creation of a revolutionary experimental aircraft like our LX7 has a passion for flying,” said David McRae, co-owner and director of Marketing, Sales & Business Development. “So, for those who are eager to push their careers to new heights, we’ve taken the steps to help fuel that passion.”
The “Learn to Fly” program was made possible by the addition of certified flight instructor Ohad Golani (CFII) to the staff early in 2024. Born and raised in Israel, Golani has logged hundreds of hours in the air. His sole purpose at RDD is to share his expertise and tremendous passion for flying with RDD employees in order to advance their current experience level and ultimately obtain their pilot certificate if they have not yet done so.
“I always wanted to become a pilot,” said Golani. “A few years ago, I finally gathered the courage to pursue this incredible journey at a small flight school, just up the street from RDD and acquired all of my ratings. Now, as a Certified Flight Instructor, I try to incorporate my values and experience into a safe and enjoyable flight-training environment.”
Golani takes all of his students up in a 1966 two-seat Cessna 150F, which is known to be excellent for flight-training purposes. He says RDD is thankful to partners like Precise Flight, Cies, Flight Ready, Icom, AEROLEDS and Whelen Aerospace Technologies for providing equipment and sponsor support for the aircraft.
“Training is going well,” said Golani. “Our trainer airplane has exceeded my expectations and is flying nicely. I’m currently working with two employees, one of whom is ready to do his first solo flight in order to get his private pilot’s license. Two others are waiting in the wings, so to speak. One of them is focusing on ground schoolwork while he loses a few pounds and another will be ready to begin her training when she completes three early-morning ground sessions.”
For the students, the chance to receive flying instruction for free is not taken lightly and for some, it can be a game-changer for their futures. RDD Project Manager Joel Timmerman grew up on a 300-acre, family-run cattle ranch and hay farm in Powell Butte. His dad was also a Private Pilot who often took Joel up in his Piper Cherokee 6. Before his junior year in college in 1988, a flight in a Falcon 20 business jet introduced him to the world of corporate flying and he has dreamed of being a pilot ever since.
“This opportunity means everything to me,” said Timmerman. “Obviously, there is a large financial barrier to becoming a professional pilot. To earn the Private, Instrument, Commercial, Instructor and Instrument Instructor ratings can exceed $60,000. Once I joined the Navy in 1998, I also started a family, so flying took a backseat as we raised those young humans. I now have five grown boys (ages 31, 27, 25, 23 and 15) and it’s finally time for Dad to become a professional pilot. Thanks to RDD covering the cost of instruction as well as the aircraft expenses, this is truly a dream come true for me!”
Timmerman’s ultimate goal is to fly every day and help the company by demonstrating the superior technology of the LX7 to prospective customers. But that’s not all.
“Once I retire from RDD,” he says, “I want to be that old guy at the airport giving flight instruction and inspiring the next generation of aviators.”
The demand for RDD’s ground-breaking LX7 aircraft continues to present tremendous opportunities for growth at its Redmond facility, and McRae knows the company won’t be able to achieve its goals without dedicated employees who are excited about coming to work and investing in their future.
“We are extremely fortunate to have someone like Ohad on board to offer this unique employee incentive,” said McRae. “In less than a year, we’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm within our ranks and we expect even more in the years to come.”
About RDD:
RDD Enterprises, located in Redmond, is a premiere aviation research, design and development group with a rich aviation heritage serving the experimental aircraft community. Our goal is to service serious aviators by providing technologically advanced aircraft systems with impeccable safety and world-class support.
Collectively, the RDD team has extensive experience with both experimental and certified aircraft in the areas of research, design, development, modification, fabrication, construction and customer support. To learn more about the LX7 piston or turbine models, visit lx7aircraft.com or call David McRae, at 541-504-0305, extension 1.
