- GREAT BASIN AVIATION

Published on: September 5, 2019

Early morning PPL!!

Congratulations to Will Adams for earning his private Pilot Certificate today!! Will has had quite the journey. He started his flight training in Southern California and due to issues at the airport, a childhood friend in this area, John, referred him to GBA. Will drove into town for blocks at a time to complete his flight training and get checkride ready. Passed the oral exam yesterday and then could not fly due to the building storm. But, luckily, the DPE was able to get him in last minute this morning for the flight portion and he passed!! 30+ years ago when Will’s friend John got his license, Will met him at the airport to congratulate him and today John did the same by meeting Will as he taxied off the ramp. Such a nostalgic surprise! Awesome job by Will and his flight instructor Brenden Georg. Will has his own plane but we hope we get to see more of him as he continues and progresses through his advanced ratings and maybe one day moves to the area. Will is a great addition to the aviation community! Congratulations again Will!!

Published on: September 2, 2019

Labor Day Solo!

Congratulations to Andy Xie who soloed today at KCXP, runway 27 in N752DW as his proud instructor, Emmett Castellan watched from the ground. Andy is a determined young student who took to aviation like a pro. He is a senior at McQueen and another awesome plane spotter (AndyAviation on Instagram). In the little free time he has, he is checking off accomplishments on his way to a career in aviation. Look at this guy’s smile! This is where it all starts Andy. Keep moving forward!

Published on: August 30, 2019

Friday Solo!

Fridays are great but made even better when you SOLO!!! Congratulations to Nathan Morin who soloed today at KCXP, runway 27, in N752DW. Nathan took the C172S for a few joyride laps as his proud instructor, Matt Stubblefield, looked on. Nathan loves aviation! Works as a loader with UPS aviation, plane spots like a madman (follow him on instagram, rno_plane_spotter), and helps out GBA when he can. Nathan should be so proud as he just reached a huge step on his path to career pilot at only 15 hours! Awesome job Nathan and Matt!!

Published on: August 30, 2019

A new CFI to wrap up an exciting week at GBA!

Why not finish off the week with a successful CFI checkride!! Congratulations to Eric Tallberg who is GBA’s newest Certified Flight Instructor! Eric has been working tirelessly on this all while managing full time work, family, and travel. Eric’s love of aviation and teaching kept him focused on this goal. We are so excited for Eric and the door this opens for him. Eric started his instruction with CFI Taylor Phillips and completed all requirements and training with CFI Matt Stubblefield. A huge congratulations as well to both these guys for the instruction and training of Eric! Watch for Eric’s schedule to be loaded into Flight Schedule Pro soon. Enjoy celebrating your success Eric! We are so excited to have you as part of the GBA team!

Published on: August 29, 2019

Instrument Rating Congratulations!

Congratulations to Joseph Hailey who earned his instrument rating today in N10446 out of our KCXP location! Joseph has been coming into town from Southern California for blocks at a time to train. Joseph and his instructor, Matt Bowers, have been putting in overtime to work through the instrument requirements during these blocks, most of the time with twice a day flights. Today’s success made the travel and exhausting days all worth it! Joseph isn’t wasting anytime and is immediately jumping into his commercial. Awesome job crushing this aviation milestone Joseph!! Keep pushing and stay focused. The hard work will definitely pay off!

Published on: August 27, 2019

A new licensed pilot!!

Roger Peralta is Northern Nevada’s newest private pilot!! Congratulations to Roger as he fought through the afternoon heat and crazy weather conditions, plus the insane traffic here at KRNO, to earn his private pilot certificate. Roger has been working on his PPL for the last several months. His training has been filled with cruddy weather, driving in from Truckee, and having to balance full time work and life. But today he understood how sweet the reward of hard work and overcoming obstacles is. Amazing job by him and his instructor Emmett Castellan! Roger has amazing goals and we are so excited that he completed this first step. “Hard work is its own reward. Work for the life you want not for the one you have.” Congratulations again Roger!