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    Feel like you are falling behind? We can fix that!

    ​Come use the GBA simulator! 
     
    Learning to fly doesn’t just involve leaving the ground; have you ever considered the benefits of simulation in flight training? Especially on these no-fly days, the use of the simulator is a way to continue to progress with your flight training. 
     
    Reasons to use a simulator include:
     
    It’s safer- Clearly, the closer you are to the ground, the safer you are! One of the primary benefits of simulation in flight training is the safety aspect. And it’s not just for beginners; flight simulators can help more experienced pilots practice emergency procedures or unusual situations from the safety of the ground.
    You can try things more than once - If things don’t go to plan on the flight simulator, the end result is far better than when things don’t go to plan in a real airplane. Flight simulation means you can have another go to hone your technique, without worrying about the consequences.
    It recreates tricky conditions - As you know, your flying technique needs to adapt to the weather conditions – whether it involves rain, snow, wind or ice. Similarly, different types of terrain will also need different reactions from the pilot. Rather than waiting for these weather conditions to occur, or rather than flying to areas with tricky terrain, we can recreate these far more efficiently with flight simulation – giving you plenty of opportunities to practice in the process. We can even recreate in-flight failures (Richard is pro at this), giving you the chance to learn how to deal with these types of situation in a safe and consequence-free environment.
    You can train at any time - Flight training in an airplane generally comes with the limits of light and weather. We have been experiencing this for a couple weeks now. However, one of the benefits of simulation in flight training is the opportunity to practice whatever time of day (within reason) and regardless of what the weather’s doing outside.
    You can practice until you’re confident - Flight simulation training gives you the opportunity to practice a scenario over and over until you’re fully confident. You control time in the simulator. This makes you even safer when you get in the cockpit. In fact, if you practice enough, it’ll just be second nature to you once you’re in the aircraft!
    Learn to use new avionics – While the G1000 certainly looks cool, it can also be a bit intimidating. Too many buttons and dials, and it is NOT a touchscreen like the G375 and G625. Learn to use the PFD and MFD like a pro while on the ground then test your skills in the aircraft. 
     
    These are just a few of the benefits of simulation in flight training, so it’s easy to see why the process can be so useful for trainee pilots. All GBA instructors are checked out to teach on the RedBird TD2. Don’t let your skills get rusty on these smokey days. Book at CFI/CFII and the simulator just like you would an aircraft. Give the office a call if you need any assistance. 
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    Adelle is a Private Pilot!!

    Adelle Kukla is a private pilot!! We have been following GBA office intern and North Valleys High School Senior as she worked on her private pilot at a Purdue satellite campus in Florida. She makes her way back to her senior year with the coveted wings which she can proudly wear on her Air Force JROTC flight suit. An accomplishment earned by few high schoolers. We are so excited and proud of Adelle!! She was able to do this with the Flight Academy Scholarship through the US Air Force. Keep your sight on that C-5 Galaxy . Awesome job Adelle!
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    Northern Nevada's Newest CFI!!

    Next time you are in the office you might notice a few demerits missing from Cody’s behavior board. Why, you may ask? Well, we are beyond excited to announce that Cody Lucero is Northern Nevada’s newest CFI!! Cody has been battling the smokey conditions to get to this point and today was able to make his way over to Silver Springs for the long, grueling checkride. If you have met Cody, you know that his love of aviation, enthusiasm, and infectious (in a good way) nature will most definitely carry over into his flight training. In fact, he already interviewed for a CFI position at GBA and did his check flight before he completed his checkride. Cody is in the GBA record books for earning his private pilot, instrument, commercial, tailwheel, and CFI all in 15 months while being full-time active duty Navy at NAS Fallon and working for GBA on the weekends. Of all his recent accomplishments, think he is most proud of that 1.8 single engine, Tomahawk, T-Tail time. That is what the airlines really want to see :) Although this means we might see him a lot more at the office, we are so happy for him and the goals he has set for when he hits retirement in 4 years. End one incredible career and jump right into another. Huge Bravo Zulu to this Sailor/Aviator and his instructor Danny Britson!! 
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    Jacob can fly tailwheels!

    Jacob Hetland is now tailwheel endorsed!! Jacob is a GBA CFI/CFII and on track to also be a tailwheel instructor. Jacob joined us in March from a flight school in Hawaii. Think he realized the tailwheel endorsement is a bit more relevant to Northern Nevada than his sea plane rating :) Awesome job to Jacob and his instructor Sean Torbett!
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    Birthday Checkride!

    What is the best birthday present ever? How about earning your private pilot certificate. That is exactly what Nathan Sargent did today!! While most people celebrate with the traditional cake and ice cream, Nathan chose the pressure of being tested on his private pilot skills instead. But now he can truly celebrate!! UNR Alumni and now Private Pilot, Nathan has been working toward this goal for a bit. Had to take a break to finish his degree, then came back, hit it heavy, and look at him now. We are so excited for Nathan who will soon be an aircraft owner too. There are so many cool places aviation will take you Nathan. Congratulations as well to his instructor Sean Torbett! "And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years."— Abraham Lincoln
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    David can fly in the clouds!

    The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 1 out of 1 designated pilot examiner agrees that Dr. David De Los Santos is now qualified to be instrument rated. As of this morning, David, a local Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician, earned the privileges to fly in IMC!! David took off in N2291C with the DPE as the sun was coming up and held, intercepted, approached, tracked, missed, departed (not all in that order), and flew the plane without even being able to see the gorgeous sunrise. Dr. De Los Santos has been working tirelessly on this rating on during his limited time off. He  passed the oral portion a couple weeks ago but was weathered out for the flight. Today he could breathe easy and enjoy the calm skies. Huge congratulations to David and his CFII Tristan Armstrong. You be-lung in the sky!
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