Our community

Connected by heritage. United by aviation.

CPVAA is growing a network of Cape Verdean aviators and allies who can share experience, celebrate progress, and make the path clearer for those coming next.

José De Pina holding his private pilot certificate in front of a training aircraft

Private pilot checkride · July 2, 2026

A journey we’re proud to support

José De Pina earned his private pilot certificate—and he is still climbing.

On July 2, 2026, José De Pina passed his private pilot checkride, transforming a long-held dream into an important aviation milestone.

Along the way, José received personal guidance and encouragement from CPVAA founder Edilson Gomes. His achievement reflects the kind of support CPVAA is being built to provide: making the path clearer, helping aspiring aviators keep moving through the difficult stages, and celebrating the progress that carries them forward.

“What began as a dream became my journey, my purpose, and a piece of who I am. I am not where I want to be yet, but I am no longer where I started.”

José’s goal is to become an airline pilot. His private pilot certificate is not the end of the journey—it is proof that the journey is underway.

José De PinaPrivate Pilot · Aspiring Airline Pilot

José De Pina celebrating his first solo flight with his mother and child beside a training aircraft

A family milestone: celebrating José’s first solo flight

Another journey underway

Alex Gomes took the controls alone—and opened a new horizon.

Flight instructor Edilson Gomes cutting Alex Gomes’s shirt tail after Alex’s first solo flight

A first-solo tradition: marking the milestone after Alex’s flight

Alex Gomes is currently working toward his private pilot certificate and exploring a future as a professional pilot.

He trained with his brother and flight instructor, Edilson Gomes, who prepared and endorsed him for his first solo flight. That moment—when a student pilot flies without an instructor aboard—marked a major step from learning the fundamentals to building confidence as an aviator.

Alex’s journey is personal, but it reflects something larger: the impact aviation professionals can have when they share their knowledge, time, and encouragement with someone coming behind them.

This kind of practical, relationship-based guidance is the spirit CPVAA hopes to extend to more Cape Verdean students as its mentoring network grows.

Alex GomesStudent Pilot · Exploring a Professional Aviation Career

Alex Gomes with his brother and flight instructor Edilson Gomes beside their training aircraft after Alex’s first solo flight

Alex and Edilson Gomes after Alex’s first solo flight

First solo landingAlex completes the landing and rollout with no instructor aboard.

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