Like anything truly worthwhile, pilot-hood 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 contract with 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 Contracted Instructors

Certified Flight Instructors

Bob Bennett 
CFI / CFII

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
CFI / CFII​

​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 has also volunteered for air search and rescue in the past. Richard is an educator and aviator at heart and enjoys using his background in both to help students reach their goals to their highest potential.
Richard's Email
Richard's Phone Number 
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Danny Britson
CFI / CFII​

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

Ryan Mill
​CFI / CFII

Ryan's passion for Aviation began when he was young, watching TV shows like Coast Guard Alaska with his grandfather. He grew up always wanting to pursue a career in becoming a Helicopter pilot, however he quickly learned fixed wing was a much better path :) Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Ryan moved to Reno, NV in 2016 to pursue his bachelors degree at The University of Nevada, Reno and has lived here ever since. Ryan started his Aviation career with GBA in 2021 with no experience and worked his way up to becoming a CFI. When he is not flying you can usually find him somewhere in the mountains skiing, biking, or fishing.
Ryan's Email
Ryan's Phone Number
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Eric Harned
CFI / CFII

Eric is a full-time CFI/CFII who has been fascinated with aviation for as long as he can remember. He flew his first airplane at the age of 12 and has been flying remote controlled airplanes most of his life, a hobby he now gets to share with his boys. Eric attended the University of Nevada, Reno and received a BS in Business Management. After working in the corporate world for 14 years he finally decided to follow his passion and make aviation a career. When he isn’t flying, he enjoys spending time with his family, camping, boating, and watching his boys play football, soccer, and basketball.
Eric's Email
Eric's Phone Number

Shane Smith
CFI / CFII

Shane was born and raised in South Lake Tahoe so naturally he loves the water and spends a lot of time out on the lake. If he’s not on the lake or flying, then he’s probably spending time with his two pugs and his girlfriend. He loves traveling and has been to many countries such as Japan, UK, France, and Italy. He’s always looking for another adventure, which sparked his interest in aviation. Shane got his PPL with Great Basin right after he got his BS in Business Management at UNR which made him realize he’d rather be in the air than bossing people around. He is a CFI/CFII and multi engine instructor, but he’s always looking to expand his aviation experience​
Shane's Email
Shane's Phone Number

​Andrew Spanier
CFI / CFII

Andrew was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a degree in accounting. However, despite finding success in the accounting field, there was always a lingering passion that beckoned Andrew skyward. Andrew made the bold decision to pivot his career and pursue his dreams of becoming a pilot. Now being a full-fledged CFI/CFII, Andrew has found that teaching other aspiring pilots has become a true passion. From his own humble beginnings, he finds an immense gratification in seeing his own students soar to new heights. When Andrew isn't flying, you can find him outdoors either snowboarding or hiking, or spending time with friends and family.
Andrew's Email
Andrew's Phone Number

James Morgan 
CFI

James has always had a passion for planes, helicopters, and anything else that flies. Naturally, he chose a career in aviation. He began his flight training at Great Basin and never looked back, progressing from zero to hero. Balancing his studies and his job at Alaska Airlines on the commercial side of the airport, James is thoroughly immersed in the aviation world. In his free time, he enjoys snowboarding, golfing, camping, and hiking with his wife and two dogs.  
James's Email
James's Phone Number

Cory Kleidosty
CFI​

Cory is a CFI that has had a strong connection to all things aviation from a young age. He earned all of his ratings from Private to Flight Instructor at, Great Basin Aviation! He comes from a family immersed in aviation, including a few other pilots in the lineage. He has previously held a supervisor role at Southwest Airlines, so it is safe to say that aviation is always on his mind. Cory graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2019 with a Bachelors degree in Economics and Minor in Communication Studies, but has switched gears and has had his eyes to the sky since. When he isn’t flying, you can find him at the local fishing holes or traveling to new destinations with his wonderful wife. 
Cory's Email
​Cory's Phone Number

Greg Anthenien
CFI​ / CFII

Greg is a CFI who has done all of his training at Great Basin Aviation. He was born and raised just down the street in South Lake Tahoe.  He has a degree in Environmental Science and Planning, and he has worked 13 years as a biologist in various National Parks, Forests and Non-profits around the country.  He has however always looked at the skies and the planes flying overhead.  Now he has decided to shift careers and follow his dreams of becoming a pilot.  When he isn’t flying, he spends his time snowboarding, mountain biking, and hanging out with all the dogs.
Greg's Email
Greg's Phone Number

Lucas Murphy
CFI​

Lucas has been passionate about aviation since childhood, growing up in South Dakota with seaplanes landing on the river behind his home and a collection of over 150 toy airplanes. He also spent countless hours playing Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002. After earning a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of South Dakota, he spent eight years working in the corporate world before deciding to pursue his true passion for flying and make aviation his career. When he’s not flying, he enjoys studying for more aviation ratings, volunteering at the local soup kitchen, cooking as a hobby chef, watching football, golfing, and traveling with his wife.
Lucas's Email
Lucas's Phone Number

  Joseph Read
CFI​ / CFII

Joey was born and raised here in Reno and his passion for flying came from going to the Reno air races with his father. After graduating high school in Sparks, Joey joined the US Navy and served for five and a half years doing law-enforcement. In 2023 after getting out of the military he was able to start pursuing a career aviation with the dream of eventually flying aerobatics and air racing! Joey is currently flying full-time as a CFI/CFII and loves every minute of it. During his free time Joey also enjoys snowboarding, hiking and fishing.
Joey's Email
Joey's Phone Number

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

Cody Klein
CFI​

more info coming soon...