Like anything truly worthwhile, pilothood is a journey. It's a journey of challenge. Of excitement. Of self-discovery. It's a journey that ends with a monumental sense of achievement - your pilot's license! And then begins anew each time you climb into the cockpit and take to the sky. You cannot get there without solid instruction. Great Basin Aviation is proud to employ the best instructors in Northern Nevada that will aide you in becoming a safe, proficient pilot. Read on below for a more detailed description of our offerings.
Our Instructors
Certified Flight Instructors
Danny Britson
Chief CFI Danny is a part-time CFI/CFII who enjoys all aspects of flight training, especially primary and instrument training. He learned to fly and received his instructor ratings while serving in the US Air Force, since then he has flown as a corporate pilot and has over 1600 hours as an instructor. Danny has a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics with a minor in Aviation Safety from Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University.
Danny enjoys skiing, home improvement, watching his kids play sports and flying his Cessna 421C all over the West Coast. Danny is an avid Manchester United fan who does not allow any Liverpool or Manchester City clothing on any of his flights. Danny's Email Danny's Phone Number |
Bob Bennett
Check Instructor Bob is a CFI/CFII who has instructed with Great Basin Aviation for the last several years. Bob has been a pilot since 1972 and a flight instructor since 1988, with over 8000 flight hours in general aviation aircraft. Bob is an advanced instructor with Great Basin Aviation and specializes in advanced instruction including CFI/CFII, flight reviews, endorsements, and discovery flights.
Bob's Email Bob's Phone Number |
Richard Brong
Check Instructor Richard learned to fly in Reno in 2006 and has been active in the local flying community ever since. His FAA certificates include CFI, CFII, Instrument, Commercial, Advanced Ground Instructor, and UAS Remote. Richard attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he earned a Master of Aeronautical Science with a specialization in Educational Technology and spent about 20 years as a high school science teacher. He also volunteered in the Civil Air Patrol for several years. Richard is an educator at heart and enjoys using his background in education and aviation to help students reach their goals to their highest potential.
Richard's Email Richard's Phone Number |
Jack Darlington
Jack has been an aviation enthusiast since he sat in the cockpit of an American Airlines MD-80 when he was 7 years old. He is from Tucson, AZ and was recruited to Reno to be a wide receiver for the Wolfpack. He spent two years working for the basketball team at USC prior to starting his career in foodservice for Unilever. He is looking forward to helping others pursue and achieve their aviation goals and aspirations. He is available to fly early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
Jack's Email Jack's Phone Number |
|
Austin WhiteRather than being afraid of flying after overlooking the eye of a hurricane on a flight from Houston to Reno, Austin was thrilled as he watched the storm unfold from his vantage point in the sky. And from this beginning came Austin’s interest in aviation. Starting out as a project manager in civil construction, Austin was ready for a change, and after giving it some thought, Austin decided to get his PPL from GBA. With this successful start, Austin decided to take the fast track to his instrument and commercial rating at ATP, and after some time away, Austin came back to his favorite flight school to get his CFI. Austin is originally from Boise, Idaho and came down to Reno to live with his wife and chocolate lab. In his free time, you can find him hiking with his amazing family.
Austin's Email Austin's Phone Number |
Cody LuceroCody is an active-duty Sailor in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Fallon Naval Air Station. He earned his Private Pilot Certificate with Great Basin Aviation in August of 2020 and continued his ratings up to CFI. He has always had an interest in aviation, which is why he joined the military as an aviation support equipment technician straight out of high school. Since he enlisted in 2006, he has been stationed overseas in various countries, but in early 2020 he returned to the USA, strapped on a set of wings and started flying. His eagerness to pass on his knowledge to up-and-coming pilots is unmistakable. Cody’s free time is spent helping out around the office and line here at the best flight school in Northern Nevada/California!
Cody's Email Cody's Phone Number |
Kurtis Hornung
My passion for aviation started as a child, my father was a pilot for the CHP. I spent a lot of free time as a kid playing in their simulators whenever they allowed me. Once I turned 18 I enlisted in the military and served 7 years in the Army infantry. Once I got out I knew I wanted to pursue becoming a pilot professionally, I enrolled at American Flyers and did private through CFI/CFII in Houston, TX. I moved to Reno to further advance my military career, flying for the Nevada National Guard. On my time off I have been spending a lot of time with my daughter at Lake Tahoe or any of the parks around town.
Kurtis's Email Kurtis's Phone Numberd |
Matthew Helleckson
Matt is a CFI, Advanced Ground, and Instrument Ground Instructor. He is a third-generation pilot who started flying in northern Nevada in 2007. He is originally from Richmond, Virginia but has lived in Nevada most of his life. Outside aviation, Matt has a BS in information technology and works as computer engineer for a local healthcare organization. However, he far prefers the view from the flight deck over the view from his office chair. Matt loves helping others achieve their dreams in aviation, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the smile on a student’s face when they take to the sky for the first time. When Matt isn’t working or flying, he enjoys cooking and traveling.
Matt's Email Matt's Phone Number |
Josh BunkerAs an ATP, Josh spends his days flying for Skywest and instructing part-time with Great Basin Aviation, specializing in Rotor Transitions. Most of his flight hours are as a Chinook pilot, instructor pilot, and instrument flight examiner for the Nevada National Guard. Nevada has always been home for Josh and he and his wife are lucky enough to raise their two young boys in Northern Nevada. When he is not flying regional jets, instructing, or hovering above in a Chinook, he enjoys spending time with his beautiful family and creating fun, delicious, intoxicating home brews (and sharing them with GBA staff).
Josh's Email Josh's Phone Number |
Chris Buckley
Chris is a CFI who achieved all her current ratings and endorsements while flying with Great Basin Aviation. She's a journalist by trade, but has always looked to the sky for inspiration. A few years ago, on assignment, she had the chance to fly in an Extra 300L during the Reno Air Races. A few barrels rolls made a big impact, and the next day it was a short walk to the GBA office. She holds two degrees from Northwestern University and worked as a reporter all over the country before finding the Sierra Nevada skies.
Chris's Email Chris's Phone Number |
Nik Joshi
Nikul (Nik) grew up in East Africa, Tanzania. He moved to USA when he was 11. He began his aviation career at Stead Airport. He then finished his Commercial single, multi-engine rating and CFI rating in Reno. Nikul earned a college degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, he received a degree in BA in Aeronautics from ERAU in 2009. Nikul is in the Nevada Air Guard, he enlisted in 2013, then commissioned in 2018. When he isn't working and flying, he likes to mountain bike, hike and camp.
Nik's Email
Nik's Phone Number
Nik's Email
Nik's Phone Number