Today Jeff McDonald left the big brown truck and earned a set of wings! That’s right, our favorite UPS driver is now a certified private pilot!! Normally Jeff moves “at the speed of business,” but today it was more around 100kts…not sure which is faster :) Jeff is another private pilot that persevered through some craziness in life and his pervious training. He came to GBA a few months ago determined to earn his certificate and today he can proudly say he hit that huge goal! Jeff demonstrated his calm spirit as we had to switch planes on him last minute due to an alternator issue. However, it did not phase him. He had the confidence in his proficiencies and showed the examiner he has what it takes to adapt and overcome. Jeff is wasting no time and already talking about getting started on his instrument rating. First a little celebration for him and his CFI Steven Lutsch is in order. With enough celebrating he might even consider selling Jenn his 1st Gen Tacoma (hint, hint Jeff). Huge congratulations to Jeff!! ​

Thaison Dao is a Private Pilot!! This morning Thaison took to the sky and made certain his examiner knew he has the skills to earn his pass to freedom in the sky. He flew his beloved N2291C to the north then landed back at KRNO and received the congratulatory handshake we all work so hard for! Thaison is the epitome of perseverance. He has been working on his Private Pilot for some time as he navigated through a crazy work schedule, prioritizing family, and that thing called life. Today all his hard work paid off as he left the building with his temporary certificate in hand. Thaison is one of the original GBA-ers so we could not be more happy for him. Take passion and determination anywhere you go and you will go far. Congratulations as well to his CFI Sean Torbett and the instructors he has worked with. Awesome job guys!! ​

One of the most enjoyable aspects of aviation is flying with so many wonderful people. Paul Irving is one of those people. Paul comes to us from the east coast with some previous flight training and then decided to move to Nevada for retirement and some clean mountain air - and to finish his training at GBA! Today, he soloed N752DW at KRTS on Runway 08 after putting in the due diligence needed to show himself that he is an amazing aviator! Now, the downhill ride to his Private Pilot Checkride. Congrats to his equally aerodynamic instructor Richard Brong for helping Paul along this route and also to Steven Lutsch - who also is pretty equally aerodynamic.

Brandon Lemen is now a soloed student pilot!! This early morning flyer was up against the usual Northern Nevada fun conditions to fly his first few solo laps at KRTS, runway 26 in N495SP. It was a bit breezy at 10-12 knots, but mostly down the runway which helped slow him down since his instructor wasn’t next to him on final telling him "Too high! Pull the throttle!” If you know Sean, you would understand ;) Brandon has been several times a week usually in that early morning slot to capitalize on the calm conditions. He did not get it today but still demonstrated he has Reno conditions proficiency to PIC an airplane. Brandon was all smiles as he left the office as he knows his hard work paid off. Congratulations to Brandon and his CFI Sean Torbett on this milestone!!