Determination is a positive emotional feeling that involves persevering towards a difficult goal in spite of obstacles. Anwar Mack is no stranger to hard work and has been faced with obstacles but overcame them one at a time the last several years as he kept pushing toward his goal of becoming a private pilot. Today, he can celebrate all the little moments, “ headaches," weather cancellations, moves to different cities/states, and time management struggles that led to being handed that temporary airmen certificate this morning..Anwar Mack is a Private Pilot!! Anwar flew with schools in a couple different states as he completed medical school and began his career as a physician. A recent move to Reno with his wife allowed him to accomplish something he once thought was just a dream. But look at him now!! Power on turning stalls, short field landings, steep turns…Anwar can seriously fly! Congratulations to Anwar and all the time and hard work you put into earning this huge accomplishment. Pinch yourself because it is not a dream. You made it a reality! Congratulations as well to his instructors Danny, Nik and Sean! ​

Shining Sun + Calm Winds + Prepared Student Pilot  = Perfect Solo Conditions….and that is exactly what happened today! Riis Mendelsohn soloed in N752DW at KRTS, runway 08. Ethan Chinowsky, his CFI, knew today was the day as he grabbed the handheld radio and met Riis out by the plane. They proceeded to Stead, flew a few laps, stopped, kicked about 200lbs of New Zealand lamb out of the cockpit, and Riis taxied and took off on his own getting to experience the joy of solo flight. Ethan watched from the sidelines as he let his first solo bird out of the nest. Such a memorable flight for this bay area transplant. Not a bad way to be welcomed to the area. Congratulations Riis for your first solo flight and Ethan for your first solo student!! ​

​This morning life definitely threw Hal some lemons, but he just chucked them right back and proceeded to make his way to the airport for a very important appointment that ended with a temporary airmen certificate!! Hal Jin is now a private pilot!! Luckily the winds calmed enough to be within his go-no-go standards as he took off to the north to show he is proficient in private pilot maneuvers. Hal has done all of his Private Pilot training in the 152 and is GBA’s first pilot to earn his wings in this fun, little trainer. Hal works in the financial industry and can now expand his talent for numbers to continue creating the most impressive flight plans, aircraft performance calculations, and weight and balance. Hal has been working relentlessly and can now celebrate those efforts paying off! All those small steps led to this amazing accomplishment! Congratulations to Hal and his instructor Tristan Armstrong!! 

(The picture below is not actually Hal on his checkride, he got out of here before we could force him to take a picture. But, after watching Denny in his RV-7, this is what the 152 dreams of doing)

What does UNR, a tub of mayonnaise, and N2291C all have in common? Jack Darlington! Why you may ask….well, first, Jack is a former UNR wide receiver and alumni (Go Pack!). Second, he is a regional manager for a major food distributor (ask him about buying mayo and ranch at quantity). And third, he flew N2291C this afternoon and is now a commercial pilot!! That’s right, Jack earned his Commercial Pilot Certificate today as he battled some pretty crazy crosswinds. He maneuvered the aircraft successfully and safely through his commercial procedures, nailing his power-off 180 then made his way back into KRNO and got that confirmation fist bump (no handshakes with COVID)! Jack was immediately hounded by GBA staff to start working on his CFI. However, we will first let him have a night to celebrate. Huge congratulations to Jack and his instructor Tristan on this awesome accomplishment!! Now start working on your FOI :) ​