Schrodt flies higher at Charles City Aeronautics

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Before he was 10 years old, Christopher Schrodt had no interest in flying at all, let alone piloting an aircraft.

“At a younger age — and sometimes even today — I was scared of anything fun,” Schrodt said. “I was afraid of roller-coasters, I was afraid of heights — anything like that.”

He faced one of those fears when he was 10, and it led to an interest — and then a passion — for aviation.

“One day my mom and dad said we were going to Florida, and I told them I’d be walking,” Schrodt said. “They told me, no, you’re getting on a plane, and I did, and ever since then, I’ve wanted to fly.”

In February, Schrodt, who is director of operations for Charles City Aeronautics, was appointed an FAA designated pilot examiner (DPE) by the FAA.

A DPE is a senior pilot designated to conduct practical tests with pilot applicants to determine their suitability to be issued a pilot certificate or additional rating on their pilot certificate.

“It means I do the evaluations for pilots to get their certifications,” Schrodt said.

Schrodt has been an instructor since 2006 and is certified for multi-engine airplanes, single engine planes and certain jets. He said the designation is “incredibly exciting” for both him and for Charles City Aeronautics, which has active flight schools in Ames, Charles City and Mason City.

“I can now assist our students in a new way,” Schrodt said. “I can also assist flight students from across the U.S. and beyond get their certification, helping to ensure the next generation of pilots.”

Schrodt joined Charles City Aeronautics as chief flight instructor in 2009 after graduating from the University of Central Missouri with his B.S. and M.S. in aviation technology and aviation safety. With over 7,500 hours of pilot-in-command time, Schrodt is also a Part 135 instructor/check airman, CFI (certified flight instructor), CFII (certified instruments flight instructor), MEI (multiple engine flight instructor) and holds type-ratings in several business jets.

As a part of his typical job duties, Schrodt takes care of the charter certificate with the FAA and all the fight training and is in charge of all the flight instructors at all three locations. In a nutshell, he teaches flight instructors how to teach.

“I make sure they’re up to speed, and in the end, I evaluate their pilots,” Schrodt said.

That’s not too shabby, for someone who didn’t even want to get on a plane when he was a kid.

Schrodt grew up in Charles City and graduated from CCHS in 2004. He started training at the age of 15 and got his rating when he was 18 years old. His parents are Dr. David Schrodt and Christine Schrodt of Charles City, and he is the third-oldest of 10 brothers and sisters.

He currently lives in Clear Lake and does most of his flying out of Mason City. At the Charles City location, he manages three jets, two turbo-prop planes as well as training planes and piston-engine planes.

“We actually have more activity in Charles City than we do in Mason City,” said Schrodt, who said he plans to stick around.

“I love it. I wouldn’t do anything else,” he said. “I don’t think I’m going anywhere else.”

He said his favorite part of the job is watching the students progress.

“I love when they have those lightbulb moments,” Schrodt said. “I love watching the fun they are having as they’re doing it.”

Schrodt said there have been far more fun moments in the sky than there have been scary moments.

“Things happen, but we train for it,” he said. “Our planes are very well maintained.”

He said that anyone interested in aviation should give Charles City Aeronautics a call at any of their locations in Charles City, Mason City or Ames and ask about an introductory flight or a sight-seeing flight.

“There are always pilots that will take anyone up who is interested in flying,” Schrodt said. “You can take the controls and see if you actually like it.”

He said he’s always happy to cultivate an interest in flying planes, and that more than 90% of the people who get a taste of it become hooked.

“If people have an interest in aviation, just give us a call and talk to one of our instructors,” Schrodt said. “We’re more than happy to show you around and show you everything Charles City Aeronautics has to show.”