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Recently two of our wonderful and talented instructors had the opportunity to fly together on a United Airlines flight! Capt. Ed Valdez and Flight Attendant Katy Straughan recently stepped out of the classroom and took to the skies! At Cypress College Flight Training, our professors have all worked extensively in the aviation and travel industry, and many still do. Through this work in the industry, they bring the most current flight experience to the classroom, which means the most quality and practical instruction for YOU! Meet our featured professors below!
Katy Straughan is an Alumni of Cypress College. She received her Associates in Science Degree in Travel and Tourism and her Advanced Certificate in Flight Attendant. In 2012, Katy was hired by Continental Airlines, who was at that time merging with United Airlines. Katy began working at Cypress College in 2015 as a Professional Developer in the ATC department. Since then she has completed her Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Administration with a minor in Operations and Supply Chain Management at California State University Los Angeles. In Fall 2017, Katy started working at Cypress college as an adjunct faculty in the ATC department.
In 2004, Capt. Ed Valdez began teaching at Cypress College as an adjunct professor in the Aviation & Travel Careers department. Now, after working in the aviation/airline industry for more than 34 years, he assists students full time in achieving goals and dreams. Professor Valdez is currently teaching full time as well as serving as the department chair coordinator in the ATC dept.
Capt. Valdez is still active flying Gulfstreams all over the world and teaching Corporate Pilots, Military Pilots and NASA Test Pilots. His career began as a Ramp Agent at Los Angeles International Airport at the age of 18, serving international airlines loading bags, connecting ground power units, air start units and yes, even the honey bucket on Boeing 707s, DC-8s and DC-10s. He has been a pilot for United Airlines, Champion Air, Skywest Airlines and a Corporate Chief Pilot.
From being the Captain of a large transport category aircraft in domestic and international operations, to working on the airport ramp, Capt. Valdez has held a variety of training and management positions, including Line Check Airman, Corporate Chief Pilot, Boeing 727 Training Director, Chief Flight Instructor, Simulator Instructor and Ground Instructor for both pilots and flight attendants. Ed received his Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and also has a minor in Business Administration.
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