2 Youngstown Flight School Students Are First to Pass Exam

VIENNA, Ohio – Two students from the Youngstown Flight School have successfully passed their Federal Aviation Administration-mandated practical flight exam, becoming the first in the program to achieve the milestone.

Paul Greco of Poland and Ryan Grim of Youngstown are both pursuing their Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land certificates. The practical flight exam, or checkride, includes a ground portion, where an examiner evaluates the student’s knowledge on topics such as weather, aircraft performance, human factors and decision-making, and a flight portion, which tests the student’s ability to perform various maneuvers and respond to simulated emergencies. Both students completed approximately 50 to 60 hours of flight training.

The achievement also marks a significant milestone for flight instructor Eric Milliron of Boardman, who signed off on his first checkrides.

“I am so proud of these guys for passing their practical exams; it is an extremely difficult thing to do. It takes an incredible amount of dedication and commitment to seek a pilot’s license,” Milliron said. “From my point of view, it’s a cool thing to see the progression from their first few lessons – when they didn’t even know how to start an aircraft or talk on the radio – to ultimately becoming licensed pilots. This was not only the school’s first two students to pass their training, it also happened to be the first two students I have ever signed off for their checkride. Tremendous accomplishment.”

Ron Farcas, chief flight instructor at the school, congratulated both students.

“We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to both Paul and Ryan on successfully passing their private pilot checkrides,” he said. “Completing the checkride is not only a testament to their technical skill, but also to the dedication, perseverance and hard work they demonstrated throughout training. We wish them continued success as they take their flying to new heights.”

In May 2024, it was announced that the Youngstown Flight School would become a program of Youngstown State University. A formal ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house were held at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in June to celebrate YSU’s new aviation and CDL training programs. Students can begin enrolling soon, with a cohort of 20 students already participating in the aviation program.

For more information about the flight school, visit YSU’s website or email Brian Vuksanovich at bdvuksanovich@ysu.edu.

Pictured at top: Paul Greco and Ryan Grim.