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    Reed is a CFI!

    “More right rudder” is something Reed Bennett better get used to saying. Why, you may ask? Because this guy is now a CFI!! Reed worked hard, studied hard, and evidently is a pretty awesome pilot/teacher because he ended the day with a new certificate! We have been fortunate to have Reed as a part of GBA for a few years as he worked on his certificates, helped on the line, volunteered at events, and sometimes even worked on our planes. Reed is super close to earning his A&P through a program at one of the local repair stations. A skill that will always be in demand. CFI, A&P, and many more acronyms to come for Reed. Another example of what hard work, dedication, perseverance, and focus gets you. Awesome job Reed! We are excited to see your next step! Huge congratulations as well to his instructor, Bob!
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    GBA has partnered with Alpha Speech.


    Alpha Speech
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    ​Great Basin Aviation is proud to partner with Alpha-Speech to help ensure pilot candidates are always understood when speaking with Air Traffic Control. Alpha-Speech is a trailblazing practice that utilizes patent-pending speech therapy techniques to assist pilots with verbal communications while speaking via radio intercom systems. Per international mandates and laws endorsed by the Federal Aviation Administration, pilots are required to speak intelligibly for their own safety and the safety of the flight crew and passengers. The voice of one pilot speaks for hundreds of passengers. 
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    Dr. Katie Pierson works exclusively with aerospace professionals to ensure their individual way of speaking does not interfere with their professional ambitions and dreams. If you need assistance or have been flagged by your CFI, DPE, or FAA as requiring pronunciation education, Dr. Pierson would be happy to assist you. 
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    Anthony is a Private Pilot!!

    Before the insanity of the afternoon winds came in, this jack of all cocktails, master of one cockpit, Anthony Marrone, took to the sky and earned his Private Pilot Certificate!! Nothing like starting a checkride flight in nice conditions and coming back to mother nature’s fury. Did not throw him off at all. He has been flying in all our unique northern Nevada conditions and truly is a skilled pilot. Plus, he is an expert at time management. Not having the time has never been an excuse for him. Although it easily could be. He is a bar manager up at the Lake, teaches ceramics at a local community college (made us our awesome GBA mugs), drives in from Carnelian Bay, bikes, snowboards, road trips, even ran a 50k (why???), and still finds time to flight train. Plus, I am sure he spends time with family and friends somewhere in there. Awesome job Anthony!! You show that it can be done while juggling two jobs and having some fun still. He will be wasting no time and heading right into his instrument training. You will read about him again soon. Huge congratulations as well to his CFI Ryan Mill!
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    This guy again...

    Damien McKeown, this guy again…he has quite the impressive aviation resume, but he still has had to put in the hard work to get his fixed wing add-ons. Today, he can add a couple more accomplishments to his resume. As of today, he is now instrument rated and commercial certificated!! That’s right, two checkrides. All while only flying every couple weeks when he is town. Determined is an understatement. As soon as his commercial airline lands in Reno, he is here training up until he flies out again. It has been non-stop. We see him A LOT! When he isn’t flying an eggbeater for work or drinking our office coffee (although he does replenish it), you can find him also collecting marathon medals. He is on a quest to run a marathon in all 50 states and he is getting close. Now that these two flying accomplishments are done, maybe Damien can take a little break and bake us some of these treats he always brags about making, and then get his instructor certificate. Awesome job to our favorite Irishman and his CFI Danny Britson!!
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    Justin is a Private Pilot!!

    ​Justin Pedersen, what can we say about this guy? He is a hardworking, remarkable, respectful, humble, young man. Surprise, right? You thought we would be snarky ;) Today, another one of the 2022 RARA scholarship participants earned his PPL!! Justin was held back a bit due to age, but once he hit the requirement, he was all in. Stayed super strong on his knowledge and then caught up with his maneuvers and today, SUCCESS!! This all while he has been working hard at school, studying for ACTs, and running track. He is a Junior at Damonte with the goal of being valedictorian and building his impressive resume for an Academy appointment. Next week, after finals, he is traveling to Annapolis, MD to take part in the US Naval Academy Summer Session. Work hard now and it pays off later. There is truly nothing stopping this young aviator. Awesome job Justin! You stuck with it and look at you now, you are a pilot! And you did it all without wearing your ridiculous Trix Cereal Crocs (they are terrible, trust us). Congratulations as well to his CFI Austin White! 
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    Jarrod is on top of the world!

    ​There’s a famous quote from Japan that says, “Fall seven times, get up eight times.” And with the variables of northern Nevada weather recently, we’ve seen many of our students keep their heads high and consistently battle the storm. As a result of that effort and hardship, one of GBA’s finest, Jarrod Becker, was finally able to finally sneak in that glorious solo! That’s right, Jarrod Becker buttered his landings in N670CS at KCXP on rwy 09 yesterday and is now officially a soloed student pilot!! When Jarrod’s not flying with his favorite flight school or waiting very patiently in the office for his plane 30 minutes before his flight, you can find him taking spontaneous trips to Japan (pshht, I’m not jealous, you’re jealous…), watching anime, playing video games, or skiing. Another crucial thing that you absolutely need to know about Jarrod is that he loves to eat meat and cheese… his words not ours. Huge congratulations to Jarrod Becker and his instructor, Kevin Marshall, on this incredible accomplishment. Now go celebrate and enjoy being on top of the world. 
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