​Another solo on a beautiful Thursday...Ethan Kurashewich soloed!! This flat earther (inside joke) flew N670CS for several laps at KRTS, runway 08 as his CFI Kurtis Hornung looked on. While he did not get high enough to see the curvature of the earth, he maintained proper pattern altitude and handled the C172 like a pro. 1000 feet above the ground reinforced his belief that the earth has been, is, and shall continue to be flat. Concentrating all of your flying between Reno, Silver Springs, and Stead, no one one can really fault his beliefs ;) Ethan surely appreciated the nice weather as he is used to extreme heat, thermals, and turbulence. Nothing like hoping out of the plane, tossing those amazing locks, and walking a little taller and prouder on the flat ramp being a solo pilot. Time to celebrate Ethan!! The hard work and progress is paying off. Huge congratulations to Ethan and Kurtis on this unforgettable milestone! 

***Disclaimer - this is all tongue and cheek and not meant to offend anyone who believes in a flat earth. 

Travis Schaffer soloed!! Runway 08 at Stead had never seen prettier landings. Travis flew N752DW with the same confidence he takes to the slopes. This avid skier took it ice and easy on his first lap which was all the lift he needed. From there it was a real piste of cake as Travis flew several laps not snowing down. His CFI Austin White kept his ice on him from the ramp as Travis called the shots. This ski bum stays busy with work, flying, ground school and once the snow hits, there will be no snowing him down as he will definitely be back skiing and traveling as he enjoy his favorite winter activity (beside flying). But, he has come this far, knows the snow must go on, and is determined to earn his private pilot and work toward his goal of being an Aerial Firefighting Pilot. No keeping a snow profile today! Huge accomplishment to celebrate! Congratulations to Travis and Austin! Ski you later :) 

Tanner Barkowski is an Instrument Rated Pilot!! Yes, the pilot who cannot even take a normal picture (see below) can legally fly in the clouds. Tanner came in early this morning for aircraft pre-flight and pre-checkride affirmation statements, then flew N752DW demonstrating all the requirements for this tough rating. Tanner passed the oral portion last week but due to the storms, he had to postpone the flight until today. But what a gorgeous day to complete it! Except he wasn't even looking out the window. Tanner is a 141 student and definitely has put in the time/effort to keep up with the rigorous training schedule all while working, studying, helping plan his wedding, preparing for a big move after the first of the year, and his military commitments. He was private pilot to instrument rated in just 4 months! Watch for his name again soon because that commercial checkride will be here before he knows it. Huge congratulations to Tanner and his CFII Jack Darlington! ​

​Wait, Greg Rudman again? An Instrument Pilot? Yes, you heard that right, Greg Rudman is an Instrument Rated Pilot! A mere 3 months after getting his private pilot certificate, today, he earned the privilege to fly in the clouds! After a week of bad weather and rain, the sun finally broke through and Greg was able to show off his awesome foggle skills with the DPE in N2291C. An approach here, a hold there, reporting “Bread"…he did it all with precision. To say that Greg is a passionate and dedicated aviator is an understatement. Right after we forced him to take this picture (which he loves), he bought his Commercial Ground School kit! A huge congratulations to Greg and his CFII Jack Darlington on this huge accomplishment!