​It’s getting hot out there! But even in the midst of 90-degree weather, student pilot extraordinaire, Randy Harsey, was able to squeeze in his first ever solo flight this morning in N495SP at KRTS on runway 26! That’s right, Randy wiped the sweat from his forehead and locked his sights for 26, and after some great pilotage, Randy buttered all landings with extra flare (pun fully intended 😉). But this isn’t Randy’s first ride-in with aviation by any means. When he’s not flying GBA planes and cruising at a calm and comfortable 90kts, he oversees the systems of the good ol’ C-130 for our local Air Guard as a flight engineer! So if you’ve ever had to do a go-around because of C-130 wake turbulence, you can probably blame Randy… When he’s not spending all of his time at KRNO, you can find Randy going to Disneyland with his family and avidly snowboarding in the winter. Huge congratulations to Randy and his instructor, Kevin Marshall, on this incredible accomplishment! Now get out there and fly!

​No, it is not déjà vu, but yes, you have seen this name very recently… Anthony Futch is a Commercial Pilot!! Anthony was very well prepared which was evident in his oral exam and his smooth flight. It wasn’t long ago that this high-speed 141 student earned his Instrument Rating. He embraced the rigorous schedule and pretty much lived at GBA (seriously), and in the end, success!! We might even make him the new 141 poster boy. Remember this name because you will be reading about his CFI accomplishment very soon. Awesome job Anthony and also incredible work by his instructor, Danny Britson! 

Austin Fullmer soloed!! What an awesome way to start a morning. Local geological engineer, Austin, got his first PIC time circling, and landing, at KRNO, runway 35R today in N670CS. No pressure at all when you have an audience of his CFI Austin White, commercial airlines, ATC, other CFIs, and other students watching your very first solo landings. But, Austin handled it like a pro, or I guess you can say he “rocked” it (geological engineer and all). Austin is another example of incredible time management. He is at GBA 3-4 times a week flying, goes to work at his engineering job, proudly serves in the Nevada Air National Guard, plus finds time to golf and go camping with his girlfriend. He also passed his knowledge test last week (he was sick of us nagging him) and is on track for his Private Pilot in the next several weeks. Awesome job Austin and Austin! All that hard work is paying off! ​

Some people are just born to fly. Carson Smith is one of them. Since he was a kid he has been staring toward the sky, enamored by airplanes. Today, the tables turned, and people were staring toward the sky watching him. Carson experienced the sweet freedom of solo flight this morning at KRTS in N495SP. His CFI, Ryan Mill watched from the ramp as Carson flew his most memorable laps. Carson is home from college this summer and powering through a rigorous training schedule. His self-discipline is apparent in everything he does as he is hitting all the marks ahead of schedule. When Carson is not flying, he is staring at airplanes overhead, working out, or busy at his summer job at Chick Fil A. Make sure to say hi to him, as we know many of you frequent that place. It won’t be long and you will reading about his Private Pilot Certificate success. Awesome job Carson!! Great work as well to his CFI Ryan. ​

Paul Grady soloed!! This awesome aviator enjoyed the pattern at Silver Springs this morning without the weight of his CFI, Nate Morin, affecting his aircraft performance. Nate watched from the ramp as Paul demonstrated some “by the book” landings and pattern work in N752DW. Feels good to now have a number in that PIC column. What else can we say about Paul? Well, he did not take his “Tell us About You” paper very seriously. But, we do know he likes pasta and when he grows up he wants to be a grown up…wow, thanks Paul. In all seriousness, we do know he has worked hard and put in the time and effort to hit this most memorable milestone. Plus, he is always in a wonderful mood. But who isn’t after a flight. Nice job Paul! Start adding that PIC time. Great work as well to his CFI Nate! ​

​While most of us were still half-asleep sipping coffee and catching up on social media (don’t lie, we know you all do it in the morning), go-getter Erik Shy was out soloing in N752DW at KCXP, runway 27! Nothing sets the mood for the day like and early morning solo flight! This was number two for his CFI, Nate Morin, today. Back-to-back solos! Erik, our previous Pilot of the Month, is very rarely not around airplanes. He is either on the west side at work around airplanes all day, or over on the east side flying them. I guess one can say he loves aviation. Which I think that love grew even deeper after today. The first solo is the best flight and one you will always remember. Huge Congratulations Erik and great job again to his CFI Nate!