BY SINDY SALMERON
PHOTOS BY PETER DURAN AND ANDREW HOFSTETTER
PHOTO ABOVE BY PETER DURAN
Cypress Colleges Professor Edilberto Valdez head of the Aviation Careers Department was selected to fly with the Navy Blue Angels and will also receive a Certificate of Recognition that will be presented by the Mayor of Cypress.
The Flight will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 9 a.m. at the Join Forces Training base.
“I am honored, Thank you very much,” said Valdez in an Instagram post.
photo by Andrew Hofstetter (09-30-2021) Ed Valdez, Cypress College ATC Dept. Chair, test flight with Blue Angels, Los Alamitos, CA – Final checks being performed by LT Commander Julius Bratton, Ed on Board
Valdez, an aviation professor, began to teach at Cypress College in 2004 as an adjunct Professor in the Aviation & Travel Careers Department. After working in the Aviation industry for more than 34 years.
He has been a Major Airline Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Corporate chief Pilot, Charter Pilot, Chief flight Instructor, Simulator Instructor, and Ground Instructor. He has also worked for companies like United Airlines, Champion Air, Skywest Airlines, FlightSafety, and other corporations.
According to propilotaviation.com, an educational aviation site founded by Valdez, his career began at the age of 18 as a Ramp Agent at the Los Angeles International Airport.
Photo by Peter Duran: Ed Vadez, ATC Dept. Chair at Cypress College Rides with the Blue Angels in Los Alamitos, CA. Septemer 29th
In an interview, last month with Abc 7 the aviation professor said that he always dreamed about being a pilot.
“I always dreamed about it. It was always on my mind. My dad was in The Mexican Air force,” he said.
Photo by Peter Duran: Ed exiting the cockpit after his flight with the Blue Angels. Ed Vadez, ATC Dept. Chair at Cypress College Rides with the Blue Angels in Los Alamitos, CA. Septemer 29th
Photo by Peter Duran: Ed giving a post flight interview. Ed Vadez, ATC Dept. Chair at Cypress College Rides with the Blue Angels in Los Alamitos, CA. Septemer 29th
Photo by Peter Duran: Ed Getting strapped in by Cameron Tuzon for his ride with the blue angels. Ed Vadez, ATC Dept. Chair at Cypress College Rides with the Blue Angels in Los Alamitos, CA. Septemer 29th for his ride with the blue angels. Ed Vadez, ATC Dept. Chair at Cypress College Rides with the Blue Angels in Los Alamitos, CA. Septemer 29th
