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    August Pilot of the Month!

    🌟 Pilot of the Month: Cristobal Alvarenga 🌟
    This month we’re proud to recognize Cristobal Alvarenga as our Pilot of the Month! Cris has stood out for the way he combines drive, positivity, and a truly teachable spirit on his path to becoming a pilot.
    Even as a brand-new dad, Cris shows up prepared, focused, and ready to make every lesson count. He never loses sight of his goals, balancing family and flight training with determination and grit that inspires both his instructors and fellow students.
    ​Cris, your commitment proves that when the passion for aviation takes hold, there’s no excuse big enough to stop you from chasing your dreams. Congratulations, you’ve earned this recognition, and we can’t wait to see how far your wings take you! ✈️
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    Gio is Licensed to Fly!

    ​Today, Giovani Rodriguez reached a milestone that is the result of true dedication and perseverance, earning his Private Pilot Certificate and officially leveling up from student pilot to captain of his own destiny.
    This achievement didn’t come easy. Between serving in the Air National Guard, pursuing his college degree, working, mentoring other students, and being present for his beautiful family, Gio still found the discipline and drive to log the hours, study the charts, and keep his training on course.
    Flight training demands focus, resilience, and the ability to push through turbulence, qualities Gio has shown in abundance. He never let a busy schedule or a challenging lesson keep him grounded. Instead, he kept climbing, one takeoff and one landing at a time, proving that if there’s a will, there truly is a runway.
    Just last month, we celebrated him as our Pilot of the Month. Now, he’s not only met his goal but soared past it, taking his aviation dreams to new altitudes. This is more than a pilot certificate; it’s a testament to the power of hard work, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to a dream.
    A huge congratulations to his CFI, Eric Harned, for his guidance, mentorship, and steady hand in helping Gio navigate this journey.
    Gio, your determination inspires all of us. You’ve earned every bit of this achievement, and we can’t wait to see where you fly next.
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    Cristobal Alvarenga Soloed!!

    Clear skies, big smiles, and one unforgettable morning at KSPZ because Cristobal Alvarenga just flew his first solo flight at KSPZ in N495SP off runway 24! Over the past couple of weeks, Cris has practically made GBA his second home, dedicating countless hours to studying, flying, and perfecting his skills in the cockpit. That hard work paid off in a huge way today, and what made it even more special was that his entire family was right there on the ramp to cheer him on as he lifted off for the very first time all on his own. Cris is the kind of person who brings passion to everything he does. Whether he’s outdoors soaking in the fresh air, spotting planes at the airport, or spending time with the people he loves most, he’s all in. That dedication shines through in his aviation journey as well, and his dream of becoming a professional pilot is looking brighter than ever after today’s incredible accomplishment. A huge congratulations to Cris on this milestone, and a special thank you to his CFIs, Nicole Gonzalez and Lucas Murphy, for guiding him to this point. Cris, you’ve just taken the first big leap toward the career you’ve been dreaming of!
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    Kaden Hickmott Soloed!!

    Kaden Hickmott just captured his biggest shot yet as he took to the skies this morning in N292ED at KRTS on runway 8 for his very first solo flight! Cool, calm, and collected, Kaden has been putting in the work day-after-day to get to this exciting milestone, and his dedication has paid off. While he’s a pretty chill guy on the ground, you better believe he lights up in the air. Whether he’s capturing the perfect shot through his lens, logging time in his favorite video game, or hanging with friends, one question is always on his mind: When’s my next flight? Kaden has fully fallen for aviation, and it’s been a joy to watch him grow as a student pilot while chasing his dream of becoming a commercial aviator. Today’s solo is a huge step in that journey, and we couldn't be more proud. Major congratulations to Kaden and a big thank you to his CFI, Lucas Murphy, for his excellent instruction and support every step of the way. This is just the beginning, Kaden! Keep climbing, keep flying, and keep chasing the horizon. The sky’s yours now!
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    Chris Woodard is a Private Pilot!!

    There are busy people… and then there’s Chris Woodard. What is Chris up to these days? Well, nothing much, only that this absolute legend just added private pilot to a resume that already included anesthesiologist, backcountry skier, medical staffing entrepreneur, yacht company owner, ski instructor, and tow truck driver… and that’s only scratching the surface! That’s right, Chris is a private pilot! Chris is a true jack of all trades and an absolute master of hustle. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t just chase goals, he makes the goals themselves fear HIM as he comes sprinting right at them! Whether he's strapping on skis, firing up an engine, or heading into an operating room, there’s no doubt that when he does, Chris is on his way to making greatness happen. Even with Private pilot officially under his belt, don’t think for a second that means THE Chris Woodard is taking a breather. Chris is already jumping right into his instrument training, because of course he is. Let’s give a huge congratulations to Chris and his CFI, Eric Harned, on this incredible achievement! Chris, your drive and commitment are nothing short of inspiring, and we can’t wait to see what aviation adventure you take on next!
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    John Hamilton is a Private Pilot!!

    We’ve got a brand-new Private Pilot in the skies and his name is nonother than Mr. John Hamilton! John has been steadily working toward this moment with determination and focus, and today, all of that effort has paid off in a big way. One of our younger students, John has shown a level of maturity and commitment well beyond his years. Whether it was studying ground knowledge or refining his skills in the air, he brought his A-game to every step of training. A proud recipient of the Reno Air Race Association scholarship, John is one of the many young aviators whose dreams have been supported by this incredible program, and it’s been inspiring to watch him grow into the confident and capable pilot he’s become today. None of it could have been possible, though, without his right-hand man and flight instructor, Eric Harned. Through every stage of flight training, John was guided by the steady mentorship of Eric who has been a constant throughout his journey. Let’s give John and Eric a round of applause on this incredible milestone. We can’t wait to see where this license takes John next! ​
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