Instructor's Corner

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Buckle up for some exciting news! Our very own Derek Davis, the friendly face guiding you into your parking spot, the bug washer extraordinaire, and the guy who never fails to bring a smile to your face, is now a Certified Flight Instructor! Despite some squirrely skies, Derek showcased his exceptional skills and earned his Instructor Certificate today, proving he's more than ready to teach in our crazy Northern Nevada skies. Derek is nothing short of amazing. Not only does he juggle his roles here at GBA, but he also manages a beautiful family – his lovely wife Staci and adorable son Easton, who you might have spotted in the office on some Sundays. If that's not impressive enough, Derek coaches youth football (and had a pretty standout season!), works full time, and still finds time to lend a hand to our team once a week. Let's not forget the countless hours he spent studying and preparing for one of the toughest checkrides out there. Talk about dedication and determination! We're beyond thrilled for you, Derek! Your hard work and positive attitude inspire us all. Your achievement is a testament to your exceptional skills and unwavering commitment. A massive shoutout is also in order for Derek's CFI, Richard Brong, whose guidance played a significant role in Derek's success. Join us in congratulating Derek on this incredible achievement
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We are bubbling over with excitement to share some fangtastic news about an enchanting pilot, Ann Leeper! This Halloween, Ann, our high-flying superstar, achieved a "spooktacular" milestone – she earned her private pilot's certificate! Even more fangtastic was her calm and composed performance during the examination, proving that she's not afraid to take flight, even in the spookiest of skies! Ann's accomplishment is positively witchin' when you consider the dedication and hard work she put into this achievement. Despite her busy work schedule, she managed to attend study "ghouls," clock in countless flying hours, and immerse herself in all things aviation. It's no surprise that her passion for flying extends to her personal life, given that she's married to a pilot. Talk about a match made in Halloween heaven! And (quick dig) she did score better than him on her knowledge test 😁 What makes this achievement even more "fang-tastic" is Ann's ability to stay relaxed, even after returning from a week-long vacation in sunny Mexico, to face the freezing temperatures here at home. Her determination and resilience are truly spooktacular. Let's also take a moment to raise our broomsticks to her Certified Flight Instructor, Matt Helleckson. His expertise and mentor-spirit hauntedly played a significant role in Ann's success. Ann, your achievement is a treat, not a trick! We are absolutely batty over your hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment. Your success is sweeter than Halloween candy and reminds us of the importance of pursuing our dreams with determination and enthusiasm. Please join us in congratulating Ann on this enchanting accomplishment! ​
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Hold onto your propellers, folks, because Lukas Burton just aced his solo flight on Runway 08 at KRTS in N37JA, rocking his shorts and t-shirts in a true defiance of chilly temperatures! Talk about bringing your own sunshine, right? And can we talk about Lukas' love for aviation? It's not just love; it's a full-on, heart-pounding, plane-kissing romance! Check out the adorable pic of Lukas smooching the plane - now that’s what we call true love at first flight! Kudos to our amazing line tech, Shane, for keeping our planes sparkling clean and ready for passionate aviators like Lukas. Not only is Lukas acing his training, but he's also a ton of fun in the office, gracefully handling our witty comments and leaving us all with a smile on our faces. With his dedication and his CFI Grant Muzzio’s excellent guidance, there's no doubt Lukas will be earning that Private Pilot License in no time! Keep up the fantastic work, Lukas, and remember, the sky's not the limit - it's just the beginning of your airborne adventures!
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Congratulations to Joe Arango on his first solo today! Soloing is a significant milestone in any pilot's journey, and mastering the pattern at KRTS, runway 08, in N328ME is a testament to Joe's dedication and hard work. It takes a special kind of passion and determination to kick off with such confidence, leaving behind the safety of instruction and taking to the skies alone (although I am sure he did not mind kicking his CFI Nathan out of the plane). Joe's enthusiasm for flying, his commitment to learning, and his love for every moment in the air truly shines through. Facing challenging conditions with a positive attitude is a mark of a skilled aviator, and it's clear that Joe is up for the challenge. While tomorrow's winds may keep him grounded, there's no doubt that he'll be back, ready to conquer the skies once again. A round of applause is also due to his CFI Nathan Morin, whose guidance and expertise have undoubtedly played a crucial role in Joe's success. It takes a great instructor to nurture and develop such a talented pilot. Wishing Joe continued success in his aviation journey. May the skies always be clear and the winds ever in his favor as he continues to pursue his passion for flying.
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Two awesome achievements today + both golfers = two posts with golf puns 😁
Grab your putters and get ready to celebrate because Paul Grady has scored a hole-in-one in the aviation game – he's officially a Private Pilot! Today, Paul proved he can handle the C172 with the finesse of a golfer sinking a crucial putt, meeting all the private pilot standards and leaving us all in awe. Right after acing his flight, he dashed off faster than a speeding golf ball to catch his tee time – now that's what we call a swing and a soar! A huge round of applause and a tip of the hat to Paul's incredible caddy, oops, I mean, flight instructor, Nate Morin! Your coaching clearly made all the difference, guiding Paul through the hazards and ensuring he reached the aviation green in style. Paul, you've mastered the art of balancing your love for golf and aviation, proving that your skills on the green translate seamlessly to the skies. Now that you're officially a pilot, may your flights be as smooth as a well-groomed fairway, and may your golf games always be par for the course. Save the birdies for the golf course though! ​
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Break out the golf claps because we've got a hole-in-one achievement to celebrate – Mark McConnell has finally taken a swing at solo flying! After a round or two on the golf course and some world travels, he traded his golf club for a pilot's yoke at KRTS, runway 26. As his patient CFI, Chazz Sandoval, watched on, Mark proved that he's not just a master of the fairways but of the runways too! Now, we know Mark has a knack for putting things off but with a bit of friendly nagging, he managed to tee up his flying dreams. And let’s not forget that ground school, Mark – consider it your rough patch on the course to becoming a seasoned aviator! Despite Mark's reputation as a golf aficionado, he putts his heart into learning how to fly. Balancing a bustling business and the lure of the golf course is no easy feat, but Mark managed to chip away at his flying goals. A huge shoutout to Chazz Sandoval, who served as Mark's caddy through this entire process. Your patience deserves a round of applause – or should we say, a round of birdies? Mark, you’ve proved that with the right drive (pun intended), even the most enthusiastic golfers can spread their wings and take flight. Now that you’ve soloed, it’s time to trade the golf greens for the blue skies. Here’s to more solo flights, fewer bunkers, and many more birdies on and off the golf course!
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Congratulations are in order for GBA’s very own high-flyer, Jaden Protain, who is now officially a Private Pilot! Talk about turning a regular Thursday into a soaring success story! Jaden, the self-proclaimed Swiss army knife of our team, pulled out all the stops during the checkride, proving he has all the right tools for the job – literally and metaphorically! Despite having a need for speed, Jaden embraced the leisurely pace of the trusty C172, finding joy in the scenic route. I mean, who needs a Ferrari when you can have the skies as your playground, right? Jaden, your journey from aspiring aviator to licensed pilot is nothing short of inspiring. Now that you've earned your wings, get ready for the thrilling adventures, the endless blue skies, and of course, the epic tales you'll gather along the way. Also, awesome job to Jaden's flight instructor, Chazz Sandoval, whose guidance clearly made all the difference. Cheers to your newfound wings Jaden!!
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Hold onto your headsets because we’ve got some seriously cool news to share! Our very own Trey Casini has just reached the pinnacle of awesomeness – he's now a Certificated Commercial Pilot! Give him a high-five, a fist bump, or a round of applause – whatever suits your celebratory style. Trey’s also your go-to guy for all things ground instruction being GBA’s in house AGI. It’s like he’s got an aviation encyclopedia in his brain, and he’s not afraid to use it! Now, let's talk about that hair. I mean, come on, we've all seen it – it's practically a superpower of its own. We secretly suspect that his hair holds the key to his flying prowess. After all, good hair is essential for a successful flight, right? We love to tease Trey about life, his impeccable hair game, his multiple names, and he takes it all in stride. He’s not just an outstanding pilot; he’s also the best sport in the office. A big round of applause and a pat on the back also goes to Trey's CFI, the one and only Chazz Sandoval! Great job Chazz! 
Trey, we're incredibly proud of your achievement. Your dedication, hard work, and, of course, your fabulous hair have all contributed to this success. Now that you're officially a commercial pilot, the sky's the limit - quite literally! We couldn't be happier for you!!
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Hip-hip-hooray for Jurgen Hirt, our newest GBA private pilot! Today's weather might be beautiful, but Jurgen's achievement just made it even sunnier! Maneuvering around Northern Nevada showing off his skills was a breeze for this guy! Jurgen is used to pressure and multitasking. He isn't your average pilot. Nope, he's a full-time student at UNR, juggling the complexities of double majoring in economics and finance while serenading the world with his bassoon skills in the UNR orchestra and Reno Philharmonic. Is there anything this guy can't do? Major kudos to his CFI, Ryan Mill, who must have some serious pilot magic up his sleeve. Jurgen didn't just learn to fly; he soared through the skies with style, grace, and a touch of musical finesse. Jurgen, your ability to rock the skies, handle complex numbers, and play beautiful music is nothing short of legendary. We're absolutely thrilled for you and can't wait to see where your high-flying, bassoon-playing adventures take you next!
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A round of applause for Vitaly Trush, who just nailed his instrument rating today! We're talking about navigating the skies with precision here – that's no small feat! Vitaly, your dedication, perseverance, and hard work truly paid off, and we couldn't be prouder of your achievement. As you embark on this new chapter of your aviation journey, may the skies be clear, the winds be gentle, and your confidence as unshakeable as ever. From here on out, every cloud you navigate is a testament to your skill and determination. Awesome job as well to the fantastic CFII, Bob Bennett! Bob, your guidance and expertise clearly made all the difference. Transforming complex aviation jargon into smooth, understandable flight paths is nothing short of magical. Here's to the thrill of instrument-rated flights, to the countless adventures awaiting you in the endless blue, and to the teamwork of a student and instructor that turned a challenging task into a victorious accomplishment! Keep reaching for the sky, Vitaly! The aviation world just got a whole lot brighter with you in it.
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