Instructor's Corner

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Not a bad way to end a Tuesday… Nick Sundstrom just earned his solo wings – and not just for his double-jointed thumb skills! This airborne extraordinaire tasted the sweet freedom of solo flight at KRTS, runway 08, in the one and only N328ME. Coming all the way from enchanting Bucharest, Romania, Nick isn't just here for the flight training at GBA – though that's definitely a perk. When he's not dodging Hailey's motivational ground school reminders, Nick is out there, scaling rocks, shredding slopes, and giving gravity a run for its money. And here's the kicker—Nick can now celebrate this awesome milestone with his favorite meal: a burrito. So, not only can he defy gravity, but he can also tackle a burrito the size of a small aircraft! Big shout-out to his CFI and fellow outdoor enthusiast, Ryan Mill, for keeping up with this high-flying, double-jointed maestro. Nick, here's to more solo flights, gravity-defying escapades, and maybe even a few thumb-wrestling championships, all celebrated with a burrito in hand!
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Tis the season for weather and postponed checkrides! But even in the face of multiple storms, plane shuffles, and cancellations, pilot extraordinaire, Jay Lynch, never lost his drive and successfully earned his Private Pilot certificate today in N328ME! After a tumultuous morning of swapping planes, Jay made sure to keep his cool and maintained a positive attitude. When he finally heard those wonderful words, “You passed!” Jay couldn’t remove the smile plastered on his face all afternoon. Nothing can scare this thrill-seeking UPS driver, if it’s not airplanes, then you can find Jay seeking his next adventure by shredding the tracks on his dirt bike. With the holiday season in full swing, you’ll want to be sure you’re extra nice to Jay this season, since he’ll be delivering all the nice kids their presents in his brown uniform during the busy winter. It’s been a privilege watching Jay push through his training, and now he can finally relax and take his wife flying with him. Amazing Job to Jay and his instructor, Nathan Morin, on this incredible achievement!
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​What a beautiful day for some flying, and what an even better day to solo! That’s right everyone, Grant White, aviation fanatic and secret chef who’s on par with Gordan Ramsey, soloed this morning at KRTS on rwy 8 with his instructor, Alex Spencer, watching from the sidelines! After kicking out Alex, Grant made his way to the busy KRTS traffic pattern and handled the pressure with a cool and calm domineer. As if his cooking skills weren’t already impressive, Grant put the cherry on top when he buttered all of his landings with incredible finesse. Thinking he could walk into the office without saying a word, Grant was surely proven wrong as Hailey uncovered the truth and proceeded to scold him and his instructor on their deceit… nothing gets past the GBA crew 😉. When Grant’s not flying, you can find him at home cooking up a storm, hunting, fishing, or enjoying a big plate of Mexican food. Grant has been working diligently to get to this point in his training, and it’s easy to say that that hard work has finally paid off! Huge congratulations to Grant and his instructor, Alex Spencer, on this amazing accomplishment! Now go celebrate, Grant! Next step is checkride prep 😉.
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We are absolutely thrilled to extend congratulations to the incredible Shelby Sellers for achieving the monumental milestone of becoming a Private Pilot! Shelby's journey is a testament to the extraordinary power of hard work, unwavering focus, and sheer determination. Shelby isn't just a pilot; she's a true inspiration, showcasing her passion for life in every endeavor. Fluent in Mandarin, a world traveler, and an adventurer at heart, she epitomizes the spirit of embracing every opportunity. Whether she's cruising on her motorcycle, exploring the depths through free diving, or shredding the pow-pow on her snowboard, Shelby exemplifies a zest for life that's truly remarkable. Her spotlight as GBA Pilot of the Month is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional dedication to aviation. Shelby's down-to-earth nature, sweet demeanor, infectious smile, and unwavering focus make her not just an outstanding pilot but a beacon of positivity in the aviation community. And, she shares a love of aviation with her pilot husband, creating a unique and beautiful connection. A match made in aviation :) Great job as well to her CFI, Ryan Mills, whose guidance and mentorship undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping Shelby's success! Take a little break Shelby, then back to the books for your Instrument Rating! ​
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Listen up aviators! We've got the scoop on the man, the myth, the Crocs enthusiast – Justin Rice is now officially a Private Pilot!! Yes, the guy we terrorize in the office for his Croc game (apparently, all the “cool” Justins wear them), nailed that first huge milestone of his aviation path. Despite Justin's low-key beef with low ceilings, he faced the pre-storm, soared through the skies, and showed the examiner that he's got the right stuff for the freedom of flight. In a whirlwind 2.5 months, Justin went from being a land dweller to a sky conqueror. That's faster than a Croc sale at the outlet store! Despite being a California transplant, he embraced the Nevada spirit like a true desert-dwelling maverick, showing off his grit, consistency, focus, and preparedness. Justin had a goal and figured out how to make it work in the time frame he wanted. Kudos to you, Justin! Your journey from zero to Private Pilot is super impressive and despite the hard time we give you (you bring it on yourself), we were all cheering for you. And let's not forget a big shout-out to his CFI, Alex Spencer, for guiding him through this sky-high journey. Awesome job to both of you! ​
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Please join us in thanking our Veterans, not just today, but everyday. They may live next door to you, but if not they aren’t hard to find. Maybe that young Veteran you know who just returned home, or that older Veteran who you see walking in your neighborhood, wearing a baseball cap, showing their pride in serving in a specific branch of the military. Though they may appear in deep thought and unapproachable, if you engage them by walking up to them and thanking them and their families for their service to our country, that will help make a Veterans, Veteran’s Day very special.

Thank you to all our students, renters, instructors, and staff who have served this great nation. America is great because of all of you!!
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Yeehaw, saddle up and hold onto your Stetsons, folks! Brent Wallace just roped in a solo flight and now has wings to match his cowboy boots! This rancher-turned-aviator gleefully kicked his CFI Nate Morin out of the cockpit, took command of the plane, and tangoed with the skies over KRTS runway 08. After a few memorable laps, he swung back around, picked up Nate, and came back into Reno with a grin as wide as the open range. This hard-charging 141 student is not just breaking broncos; he's breaking through the clouds, looking to rustle up a new career in aviation. And would you believe it, he's not just a maverick in the air but also a proud member of the Nevada Air National Guard—talk about roping in dreams from the ground up! Hopefully, he's now home, celebrating with his wife and little cowgirls. Keep up the hard work, Brent! Your private pilot certificate is just over the horizon, and you'll be herding clouds like cattle in no time. A big tip of the hat to his trusty CFI, Nate Morin, for being the wingman in this rodeo of flight training. Together, they've wrangled the winds and corralled those elusive solo wings. So, here's to Brent Wallace, the rancher with wings, soaring high and proud. Happy trails, partner and happy Veteran’s Day! 🇺🇸
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Ready for absolutely fantastic news?!? Tara Tate is a Private Pilot!! Tara's journey to becoming a Private Pilot is nothing short of inspiring! With the wise words of her early instructor (Troy Ware) echoing in her mind, it's clear that she embraced the mantra: "You look good, you feel good. You feel good, you fly good." And boy, did she prove it right! Tara didn't just conquer the Northern Nevada skies; she soared through challenges and pushed her limits with unwavering determination. Despite all the curveballs life threw at her, she took each one in stride, showing incredible perseverance and resilience. Tara's tenacity and spirit are truly commendable. A huge round of applause not only for Tara but also for her dedicated flight instructor, Nik Joshi! It takes a skilled and patient teacher to nurture a pilot of Tara's caliber. Together, they've achieved something remarkable, and the skies are now a little friendlier with Tara among the ranks of private pilots. Here's to Tara, the epitome of perseverance, and to Nik Joshi, the mentor who guided her to this incredible achievement! May the skies always be clear, and the winds always be in Tara's favor as she continues her adventures as an aviator! ​
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You might want to take a seat for this one…Andrew Spanier has officially soared into the prestigious club of CFI!! Yes, you heard it right – the guy who serenades us with his catchy tunes (Tralalalala) and entertains us with his vintage, stained, Tupperware collection is now certificated to teach you all how to fly. The amazing Monday night study group leader truly can teach a thing or two. And let's not forget his infamous habit of kicking off his shoes – or maybe even his socks – in the plane. Hey, Andrew, we know it's your way of feeling the wind beneath your wings, but maybe keep those tootsies covered for the passengers' sake, alright? Safety first, after all! Hats off to Richard Brong, Andrew's patient and undoubtedly brave CFI, for guiding him through this journey. We can only imagine the challenges he faced, from deciphering Andrew's lunch choices to navigating the mysterious world of ancient Tupperware. Awesome job Andrew! The singing, Tupperware-loving, shoe-shunning CFI extraordinaire!
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Guess what happened today?? Our very own Nick Chladek, a former Bay Area resident, known for maneuvering office chaos and utterly clueless about driving, made jaws drop as he took to the skies solo! Yes, you heard it right – he left the city of gridlocked roads, bad sports teams, and fellow bad drivers far behind and soared into the boundless blue yonder of Northern NV. This morning at KRTS, runway 08, in the magnificent N37JA, Nick embraced the wind beneath his wings and embarked on his solo flight adventure. While he might be accustomed to the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area, today he traded the rush of traffic for the exhilarating rush of flight. In the office, Nick's always been a good sport (unlike his Giants), but let's be honest – he sets himself up for some epic teasing, and we can’t resist. We're over the moon (or should we say, above the clouds?) to share that Nick is now soaking in the wonders of the sky, embracing the freedom and serenity that only flying can offer. Major kudos to his flight instructor, Greg Rudman, for guiding him with expertise and patience, making sure our former Californian became a sky conqueror. So, here's to you, Nick! May your wings stay strong, your flights be as smooth as a freshly tuned engine, and your adventures in the sky be as epic as your departure from the Bay area. Keep up the great work!
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