Russell Holtz

Brother and sister team Russell Holtz and Rhonda Clerkin both grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Russell attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. Rhonda attended Grinnell College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a minor in Technology Studies. Russell obtained his Private Pilot Certificate in gliders in 1995, in airplanes in 1996, his Commercial Certificate in Gliders in 1998, and his Certified Flight Instructor rating in gliders in 1999. He completed the FAI Silver Badge requirements in 1997, and the Gold and Diamond requirements in 1998. Russell has given over 2,800 hours of primary, cross–country, contest, and aerobatic flight instruction, and has over 4,000 hours total time in gliders. Rhonda prefers to keep her feet on the ground.