Every day we get to do what we love, living our lives off the ground and a lot of times behind a desk too. We maintain a comfortable yet very professional atmosphere, conducive to learning and growing as a pilot and enjoying the fellowship that comes with being an aviator. The team at Great Basin Aviation are skilled professionals with several years of experience preparing students for the aviation industry.
Jennifer Fonda
Owner Jennifer is owner of Great Basin Aviation and a licensed pilot. She loves anything and everything aviation and is a proud advocate for it in our schools and communities. Jenn loves being part of the celebration with aviation students from solo to CFII. She also proudly serves in the Nevada Air National Guard. In her spare time she enjoys flying with her husband, outdoor activities, attending sporting events with her son, and traveling.
Contact Jenn |
Richard Brong
Director of Aviation Education Richard has been enamored with all things flying from an early age and earned his pilot's wings here in Reno in 2006. He has continued his training and has been active in many roles of the local aviation community ever since. He spent 20 years of his working life as a science educator here in Reno and has combined his talents with that and aviation for this next chapter. Richard came to Great Basin Aviation in 2018 as an Advanced Ground Instructor then earned further ratings including CFI/CFII as he grew in his roles. Jennifer has promised to keep him busy helping in many capacities around the school, too. He is an aircraft owner and a family guy and also enjoys cycling, running, and just about anything outdoor.
Contact Richard |
Hailey Bogle
Office Manager Born and raised in good ol’ Reno, NV, Hailey’s no stranger to the activity of northern Nevada’s aviation community. Absolutely terrified to start, Hailey took her first general aviation flight at a young age with her dad in the classic Cessna 172. Quickly after said flight, she fell in love with aviation. Since then, Hailey has received her private pilot certificate at Great Basin Aviation and her Bachelor of Science in geographic information systems at UNR. If you don’t see her at GBA or UNR, you can find Hailey with her nose in a book, playing with her cats, or spending time with family.
Contact Hailey |
Shane McAlister
Line Technician Shane has always had a love for aviation since he was learning to walk. After starting flight training, he moved from a small town in California to the biggest little city to get some mountain flying experience. Here at Great Basin Aviation, Shane’s gotten his private pilots license and is now working on his instrument rating with the end goal being to fly professionally. After flight training, he has plans to pursue a degree in Aeronautical Engineering. If he’s not flying, Shane loves to spend time with friends and family or looking for any kind of body of water to swim in.
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Not actually Noreen
Noreen Leary
Office Assistant If Noreen’s in the office it must be Wednesday. Convinced by her dear friend Jenn to come out of retirement for five hours a week, Noreen is having lots of fun learning about flying and living vicariously through all of the GBA students and instructors. When asked about getting her pilots license, she said, “Don’t think so, but then again, one never knows.” Noreen, retired CEO of the Veterans Guest House, is still figuring out what to do with all this free time. She loves getting together with friends, traveling, good scotch, photography and “trying” to play the ukulele.
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Nicole Gonzalez
Office Assistant more info coming soon...
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