Instructor's Corner

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Now look at that happy smile! The fantastic Ava Armen surpassed an incredible milestone today and got her private pilot license! From tumultuous weather conditions giving Ava grief these last few weeks, she finally broke through the clouds and capitalized on the opportunity and got her checkride done! And with her support system to back her up—her grandma and mama—these three fabulous ladies left with the biggest smiles on their faces. Ava is no stranger to aviation, though. Having been raised by her aviation father who flew both GA and commercial aircraft, she has been following in his footsteps and keeping his legacy alive through her training. Ava’s drive is truly inspiring and it’s so incredible to see her achieve this amazing accomplishment. When asked what Ava was going to do after her checkride, she promptly said, “I’m taking a nap.” When Ava isn’t being the awe-inspiring lady that she is, you can find her working at Trader Joe’s or studying like a mad woman at school. Let’s give Ava and her flight instructor, Shane Smith, a huge congratulations for all the work they put in to get to this amazing point in Ava’s training. Amazing job you guys! Ava, we can’t wait to see where the skies take you next.
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Today, the skies bowed once again to the thunderous talent of Zeus Wesley, who has officially earned his private pilot license! Like the Greek god Zeus, known for commanding the heavens, Zeus Wesley has proven himself a master of the skies. His journey to this milestone has been nothing short of legendary, marked by determination, hard work, and of course the incredible support of the Reno Air Race Association scholarship. Balancing school, flight training, and personal life is no small feat, but Zeus tackled each challenge with the grace of a true Olympian. From mastering the written exam to skillfully flying the airplane, he has shown unwavering dedication to his craft. With every flight, Zeus has harnessed the power of the winds, earning his place among the aviation elite. A thunderous congratulations goes out to Zeus and his flight instructor, Shane Smith, whose expert guidance has been instrumental in shaping this exceptional pilot. As Zeus soars into this new chapter, the horizon holds endless possibilities for him. Let’s give a sky-high round of applause to this incredible achievement—Zeus Wesley, pilot of the heavens, is officially ready to rule the skies!
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If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Brendan Gomez during his training, it’s that he’s the human embodiment of a golden retriever — adventurous, cheerful, and always up for a good time. Whether it’s going on spontaneous adventures, soaking up the sunshine, or perfecting the art of making breakfast (he’s a waffle connoisseur, after all), Brendan brings an undeniable energy to everything he does. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that Brendan has officially earned his private pilot license! While his easygoing nature may suggest otherwise, Brendan worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this achievement possible. From mastering the nuances of flight maneuvers to staying sharp during ground lessons, his commitment to becoming a skilled and confident pilot has been inspiring to witness. Let’s give Brendan and his flight instructor, Eric Harned, who helped Brendan every step of the way a huge congratulations on this incredible accomplishment! Brendan, the sky is all yours now. We can’t wait to see where your adventurous spirit takes you next. Congratulations!
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Taylor Browning is officially flying high—literally! Fresh off earning his private pilot’s license, this Lyon County firefighter-paramedic has taken his passion for adventure to new altitudes. Now, in addition to saving lives on the ground, he’s navigating the skies with style and precision. Earning his wings is no small feat, and Taylor is soaring with the same drive and determination that fuels his firefighting career. When he’s not in the cockpit, Taylor’s carving up the slopes on his skis or cruising through life in his RV, proving that his love for adventure doesn’t have any limits—whether it’s on land or in the air. Whether he’s piloting a plane, skiing down a mountain, or navigating the open road, Taylor’s got one speed: full throttle. A huge congratulations to Taylor for reaching this incredible milestone, and a special shout-out to his CFI, Eric Harned, for helping him reach new heights. Here's to always aiming higher, both on the ground and in the sky!
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Cody Bullard is no stranger to the sky—he’s been piloting helicopters for the Army National Guard for years as a commercial pilot, but today he earned another incredible achievement and got his private pilot airplane single engine land add on! Cody’s journey in aviation is nothing short of inspiring. From flying helicopters to pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, he’s proven time and again that his passion for aviation knows no bounds. Transitioning from rotors to wings isn’t easy, but Cody tackled his training with the same determination and skill that have defined his aviation career. Huge shoutout to Cody’s instructor, Ryan Mill, for guiding him through this exciting chapter. Ryan, you’ve been an incredible mentor and a key part of Cody’s success. Cody, whether it’s helicopters or airplanes, you’ve shown that the sky truly is your domain. We can’t wait to see where your aviation journey takes you next. Congratulations again on this incredible achievement—keep soaring to new heights!
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The fantastic, the incredible, the unstoppable, (hold on I have to catch my breath) and most importantly the newest private pilot in town, Avery Redmon has aced her private pilot checkride today! Avery is truly a force to be reckoned with. If she’s not here studying like the beast she is, she’s either serving proudly in the Army National Guard, excelling in her education, or fine tuning her scary accurate sharpshooter skills. It’s also crucial to mention that this fantastic lady is also a recipient of the highly esteemed Reno Air Race Association scholarship and has been utilizing her funds to reach this very milestone. While a quiet and gentle soul, Avery Redmon has the grit and determination like none other. What a fantastic thing it is to see her reach this point in her training, but as we’ve mentioned in her solo write-up, she’s pretty freaking awesome and it’s really no surprise that she’s conquered yet another incredible achievement. Let’s give a thunderous round of applause to Avery and her flight instructor, Eric Harned, whose expert guidance played a vital role in her success. We truly can’t wait to see where Avery’s aviation journey takes her next. Awesome work, Avery! Now get out there and fly!
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The skateboard legend, Alan Chou, swapped halfpipes for flight paths this morning and soloed in N495SP at KSPZ on runway 24! From shredding rails to soaring the skies, Alan’s the kind of guy who makes everything look effortless. Whether it’s on a skateboard or in the airplane, he’s all about style, precision, and pushing limits. Alan isn’t just a jack of all trades—he’s the master of them, too… though he’d probably never admit it. In fact, he might not have even mentioned his solo if we hadn’t asked him about it! Humble, genuine, and always pushing himself to new heights, that’s just the kind of guy Alan is. Alan is one of the most genuine people you’ll meet and it’s truly a pleasure to see him reach this incredible milestone. Let’s give Alan, and his instructor, James Morgan, a huge round of applause on this awesome accomplishment. When Alan’s not flying like a fool, you can find him mastering a new move on his skateboard (no way?), drilling his ground school in, or making fun of Jenn for eating in the office… he’s pretty cruel (just kidding 😉). Awesome work Alan! They sky’s your new skatepark!
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Big news from the flight line—Sony Danse has soared to new heights by earning his commercial pilot certificate! Yesterday, Sony passed his checkride with flying colors, officially joining the ranks of professional pilots. With his sights set on becoming a 777 captain one day, this milestone is a huge step toward making that dream a reality. When Sony isn’t daydreaming about commanding a widebody jet, you’ll find him enjoying the great outdoors, juggling his workload, or squeezing in some last-minute studying. His dedication and determination have been evident every step of the way, and this accomplishment is a testament to his hard work and passion for aviation. A huge congratulations goes out to both Sony and his instructor, Nathan Morin, for this incredible achievement. Nathan’s expert guidance and support helped keep Sony’s training on the right course, proving once again that teamwork makes the dream work. Congratulations, Sony! You’re one step closer to the left seat of a 777.
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On your mark, get set go, go! Today’s the day everyone, Jesse Surry—a student pilot who puts all of our cardio goals to shame—sprinted into a major milestone today and soloed in N328ME at KPSZ on runway 24! A man of many talents, Jesse juggles a marathon-worthy list of hobbies. From surfing, snowboarding, rock climbing, playing music, and of course running, Jesse is obviously incredibly driven and faces any challenge head on. While he’s apparently mastered his land and sea legs, the next obvious move was to master his wings, and what better way to do that than by soling an airplane! Jesse has been working diligently to get to this point in his training, from grinding on his ground and flying to his heart’s content, it’s truly no surprise that Jesse reached this milestone and did so with style and precision. Let’s give Jesse and his flight instructor, Shane Smith, who’s gone the extra mile to pace Jesse’s training, a huge congratulations on this amazing accomplishment! Jesse is undoubtedly sprinting toward the finish line of becoming a private pilot, and we’re sure you’ll see him again very soon!
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Big congrats to Cody Bullard, who just rocked his solo flight in N670CS at KSPZ! Cody’s no rookie when it comes to aviation—he’s been flying helicopters for the Army National Guard for years. But now, he’s trading rotors for wings as he adds a fixed-wing rating to his already impressive résumé. Honestly, Cody is basically an aviation wizard. Flying helicopters? Check. Getting a degree in mechanical engineering? Check. Crushing his fixed-wing training? Double-check. It’s no surprise that he’s made it this far, but it’s still awesome to see him hitting new heights—literally and figuratively. This solo is a huge milestone and proof of Cody’s passion and dedication to flying. Whether it’s a helicopter or an airplane, Cody’s skills and determination make it clear that the sky is where he belongs. Shoutout to Cody’s instructor, Ryan Mill, for helping guide him through this journey. Ryan, you’re the MVP! Cody, we’re so excited to see what’s next for you. Whether it’s in the air or on the ground, you’re absolutely crushing it. Keep flying high, and congrats again on this epic milestone! ​
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