Instructor's Corner

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What do the Dallas Cowboys and the Postal Service have in common? Both don't deliver on Sundays. Ouch…the last thing we want to do is offend native Texan and loyal Cowboys fan Chris Rentfrow. However, unlike the Cowboys, Chris is able to celebrate success as today he earned his Private Pilot Certificate! Chris was worth putting a bet on (unlike the Cowboys). Would totally risk it for a brisket. Chris was well prepared and wide a-Waco heading into his early morning checkride. After demonstrating all the required maneuvers and procedures, Chris received that hard earned temporary certificate. Based on his huge smile it was definitely Fort Worth it! Chris is a busy guy. Runs a business here in Northern Nevada, travels back and forth to Texas for more work, and in his spare time enjoys fly fishing and shredding the pow-pow up at Northstar. Huge congratulations to Chris and his CFI Troy Ware!! Enjoy this success one sweet tea at a time.
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Great Basin Aviation camp believe what a beautiful morning this is shaping up to be! Colin Powell (no not that one, which only those of us over 40 will understand) became a private pilot today! Colin spends his free time mixing drinks (for work) and spending time outdoors. Colin and camping are a perfect match. But today, he was in the air. No  tent-sion at all when it came down to nailing his maneuvers. Between pitching tents and pitching for airspeed, this guy is very well versed. Colin is going to keep getting smore instruction to work towards his aviation dreams. We hope these camping puns don’t yurt you, but Colin is a very happy camper today! Huge congratulations to Colin and his CFI Kevin Marshall!
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Today the “Finest of Finland,” Aki Nyrhinen, soloed at KCXP runway 27. It was no surprise that he was smiling ear to ear being he soloed, but also, he is from one of the happiest countries in the world. Finland is known for some awesome things…Saunas, home of Santa Claus, and now our most recent soloed student!! Aki kept his good spirits despite the constant weather cancellations that have plagued the flight schedule. It all came together today and now he can continue to move forward toward checkride. When he isn’t flying, he does have to work, but also is very into super endurance bike riding. Hyvää työtä Aki! Great job as well to his CFI Ryan Mill. Although, in all the excitement, they forgot a picture so here is Aki when he earned the coveted Pilot of the Month award in February. He looks the same, just a bigger smile ​:)
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Talk to me Goose! Sure, Maverick might think he’s cool in his F-14 in tandem with his homie Goose as they buzz the tower, but they’ve got nothing on Jeff Wood, who just wrapped up his instrument checkride in the mighty Cessna 172! Jeff is an intelligence officer (with emphasis on intelligence) at the Top Gun facility in Fallon by day, and private pilot with a newly minted instrument rating by night! No, Jeff and his examiner didn’t get completely inverted, but he demonstrated a high level of proficiency recovering from unusual attitudes and flying a number of complex instrument approaches with greater precision than Maverick can only dream about! He was sure to not lose that lovin' feeling as he reported Jintu and proved he has what it takes to fly safely in the clouds! Congratulations to Jeff and his CFII Cody Lucero! Now onto Commercial!!
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Preston is now officially an airplane pilot!! Mr. Glider CFI decided to pursue something with power and, despite the cruddy weather, progressed through his training to a successful checkride. We could make a lot of glider jokes but Preston is way too nice to poke fun of  :) Preston has not only battled the weather with regard to flying, but also driving. When he wasn’t shoveling off his roof, he was fighting the winter road condition driving in from Truckee. Now that the weather is predicted to get better (in April), Preston will definitely power through his instrument then onto commercial. Having the glider background has been an advantage as a lot of the training, minus power, is similar. Plus, a little wind doesn’t bother him. Awesome job to Preston and his CFI Ryan Mill! ​
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 Jeffrey Helf is a private pilot! His training and checkride took place back east, but he is still part of the GBA family. He flew a few flights with CFI Grant Muzzio to prep while he was in town last week for a bowling tournament. Jeffrey has been plagued by weather delays back east too and found a window here to sneak in some last-minute prep. We are so happy for Jeffrey and hope to see him back here soon renting the beloved C172 for some Lake Tahoe sightseeing adventures. Congratulations!!
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​Noah Klein is a soloed pilot!! KRNO, runway 17L will always hold a special spot in Noah’s training as that was the spot for his first logged PIC time! Flying solo for this Frat Boy was definitely not Greek. He managed the controls just as well as he manages his college studies…which is with complete focus ;) Despite yesterday being an overindulging holiday, Noah told the Frat bruhs “no” and focused on his flights today. And look what came of his responsible decision! Even though he looked pretty beat up due to a busted blood vessel in his eye (does not change his vision), he was cool, calm, and collected for his memorable flight. When Noah is not mastering his keg stand, he is hard at work with his flight studies, college courses, living the Greek life, and making some side money as a DJ. Live young, wild, and Greek, right Noah? Just not in a GBA plane. Awesome job to Noah and his CFI Chazz Sandoval! 
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Well, we found who has been begging for all the snow…Alex Monroe, avid shredder and also student pilot. Before you tackle him in the office, know that he likes good flying weather too. This carver does not just sparkle on the slopes, he also is pretty awesome in the cockpit. Today, as we continue to enjoy the gorgeous weather between storms, Alex took a break from the slopes and this evening soloed N670CS at KCXP runway 27! Logging that first entry of PIC time was hard earned. Alex has been faithfully coming in on the limited fly days we have had. When he is not flying, or skiing, he is working full time, and probably dreaming about flying and skiing. A lot in common with his CFI Ryan Mill, another guilty snow craver. You guys can stop asking for it now, let’s get springtime going! Regardless of us putting the weather blame on these two, we are super happy for their success! First solo for Alex and first soloed student for Ryan!! Awesome job guys! Keep up the hard work!
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The sun came out and so did the planes!! Too bad Anthony Futch could not enjoy some gorgeous VFR flying. He had to foggle it the whole way. Why, you may ask? Well, Anthony was on his instrument checkride but now can lose the foggles and enjoy the views! That means he passed!!! Anthony powered through the rigorous 141 instrument curriculum very prepared for his checkride. He, like so many of you, dealt with setbacks from the weather but he stayed active with ground, flew the simulator, and went aloft any chance he could get. Anthony might look a bit familiar to - no, not from that most wanted poster you see in the post office, but he is also a line tech at GBA! When he is not flying he is helping you all on the ramp and keeping the airplane bellies clean. Based on his pace with his instrument, you will soon be hearing about him again when he passes his commercial checkride. Awesome job Anthony!! Great job as well to his CFII Danny Britson!
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