Today was a beautiful day to solo and Will Levin took full advantage of it!! He flew his memorable first few solo laps at Silver Springs (KSPZ) runway 06 in N752DW today. Levi Mellows, his instructor, looked on from the ground as Will showed off his skills. Will, a former Navy Aircrewmen, has been flying several times a week accelerating himself through his Private Pilot training. He is well on his way to his PPL checkride!! Awesome job Will and congratulations to him and Levi! ​

Congratulations to Brandon Wright who soloed yesterday evening on runway 26 at KRTS in N495SP! Brandon, a successful local business owner, comes in during his non-peak times and takes to the sky with his instructor Levi Mellows. Yesterday Brandon got a taste of the freedom of being in the cockpit alone and enjoying solo flight. Such awesome progression for Brandon as he now works towards completing his solo hours and getting ready for a checkride. Congratulations again to Brandon and his instructor Levi!! ​

Congratulations to Dylan Keller who earned his CFI Certificate today out in Elko flying with DPE Ron Cassinelli! Dylan, an experienced pilot flying aerial application for farmers in Northern Nevada, has been driving into Reno a couple times a week from the McDermitt area to work with Bob Bennett. Today, the long drives, studying, and hard work paid off. He is now a CFI!! Congratulations again to Dylan and also his instructor Bob! ​

One more huge congratulations to another freshly licensed private pilot!! Alexis Ramirez earned his PPL today in N752DW as he flew over Northern Nevada and demonstrated proficiency in all his private pilot maneuvers. Great timing for Alexis as he is coming off a tough weekend with the 49ers loss :) Alexis is another goal driven student. Earned his Bachelors degree at 19, been working full time and focusing on his “what comes next.” Alexis is looking at several routes with the doors his license opens including military aviation. We are so happy for Alexis and his future plans. Congrats as well to his instructor Danny Britson! ​

Congratulations to Caitlin Burke who became a licensed pilot early this morning. Caitlin passed the oral portion of the checkride a while ago but kept getting delayed on the flight portion due to our winter weather. Caitlin, a local engineer, has been having so much flying with her instructor Stephen Weaver. She is super dedicated and worked so hard toward this goal. But this unstoppable gal isn’t done yet! She is now focused on her instrument rating and, after a well earned break, she will be back in the sky. Awesome job Caitlin and Stephen!! We know there will be plenty of celebrating today :) ​

​Ending the week, and the month on a high note, Reed Bennett passed his private pilot checkride today!! If the checkride doesn’t make you nervous already, Reed not only flew with a new examiner in the right seat, but also a FAA Administrator in the back seat. He showed them his skills as the flew around the Stagecoach/Silver Springs area and then greased his landing back into KRNO and heard the words every private pilot applicant wants to hear, “Congratulations, you are a pilot!” Reed has been flying relentlessly the past couple months to earn this privilege. The added stresses of the checkride didn’t phase Reed. He almost aced his written so he was well prepared for the oral and the flight was next to perfection. Congratulations as well to his instructor Bob Bennett!