What do you call an alligator that uses GPS?

A Navigator 🤣

GBA pilot Mariah Connell, dad joke teller, and newly graduated Air Force Navigator is heading back to Reno!! Mariah has been training for the last 10 months, earned her wings, and will soon be back in town to support our local Air Guard Command on the beloved C-130s. We are so excited for her return (and her homemade Sangria). Awesome job Mariah!! You are an inspiration 🇺🇸 Another example of the incredible places aviation can take you. ​

Don't let the sweet, quiet, calm demeanor fool you, Kaitlin Hughes is an animal! At least when it comes to her flight training. This morning Kaitlin tore up the pattern at KRTS logging her first solo time in N328ME, runway 32. This young lady loves the adventure in aviation and her passion is evident in every single flight. Definitely one of the hardest working and humble pilots out there. She has quite the support system too. Cheering her on today was her mom and grandfather watching from the ramp with her CFI Ethan Chinowsky. Awesome to have family there as she created an incredible memory. She heads back to UNR next week, but her focus will not stop as she has her goal date set for her checkride. Huge congratulations to Kaitlin and Ethan! Now go have some fun minus the 200lb Kiwi :) ​

​Come use the GBA simulator! 
 
Learning to fly doesn’t just involve leaving the ground; have you ever considered the benefits of simulation in flight training? Especially on these no-fly days, the use of the simulator is a way to continue to progress with your flight training. 
 
Reasons to use a simulator include:
 
It’s safer- Clearly, the closer you are to the ground, the safer you are! One of the primary benefits of simulation in flight training is the safety aspect. And it’s not just for beginners; flight simulators can help more experienced pilots practice emergency procedures or unusual situations from the safety of the ground.
You can try things more than once - If things don’t go to plan on the flight simulator, the end result is far better than when things don’t go to plan in a real airplane. Flight simulation means you can have another go to hone your technique, without worrying about the consequences.
It recreates tricky conditions - As you know, your flying technique needs to adapt to the weather conditions – whether it involves rain, snow, wind or ice. Similarly, different types of terrain will also need different reactions from the pilot. Rather than waiting for these weather conditions to occur, or rather than flying to areas with tricky terrain, we can recreate these far more efficiently with flight simulation – giving you plenty of opportunities to practice in the process. We can even recreate in-flight failures (Richard is pro at this), giving you the chance to learn how to deal with these types of situation in a safe and consequence-free environment.
You can train at any time - Flight training in an airplane generally comes with the limits of light and weather. We have been experiencing this for a couple weeks now. However, one of the benefits of simulation in flight training is the opportunity to practice whatever time of day (within reason) and regardless of what the weather’s doing outside.
You can practice until you’re confident - Flight simulation training gives you the opportunity to practice a scenario over and over until you’re fully confident. You control time in the simulator. This makes you even safer when you get in the cockpit. In fact, if you practice enough, it’ll just be second nature to you once you’re in the aircraft!
Learn to use new avionics – While the G1000 certainly looks cool, it can also be a bit intimidating. Too many buttons and dials, and it is NOT a touchscreen like the G375 and G625. Learn to use the PFD and MFD like a pro while on the ground then test your skills in the aircraft. 
 
These are just a few of the benefits of simulation in flight training, so it’s easy to see why the process can be so useful for trainee pilots. All GBA instructors are checked out to teach on the RedBird TD2. Don’t let your skills get rusty on these smokey days. Book at CFI/CFII and the simulator just like you would an aircraft. Give the office a call if you need any assistance. 

​Adelle Kukla is a private pilot!! We have been following GBA office intern and North Valleys High School Senior as she worked on her private pilot at a Purdue satellite campus in Florida. She makes her way back to her senior year with the coveted wings which she can proudly wear on her Air Force JROTC flight suit. An accomplishment earned by few high schoolers. We are so excited and proud of Adelle!! She was able to do this with the Flight Academy Scholarship through the US Air Force. Keep your sight on that C-5 Galaxy . Awesome job Adelle!

Next time you are in the office you might notice a few demerits missing from Cody’s behavior board. Why, you may ask? Well, we are beyond excited to announce that Cody Lucero is Northern Nevada’s newest CFI!! Cody has been battling the smokey conditions to get to this point and today was able to make his way over to Silver Springs for the long, grueling checkride. If you have met Cody, you know that his love of aviation, enthusiasm, and infectious (in a good way) nature will most definitely carry over into his flight training. In fact, he already interviewed for a CFI position at GBA and did his check flight before he completed his checkride. Cody is in the GBA record books for earning his private pilot, instrument, commercial, tailwheel, and CFI all in 15 months while being full-time active duty Navy at NAS Fallon and working for GBA on the weekends. Of all his recent accomplishments, think he is most proud of that 1.8 single engine, Tomahawk, T-Tail time. That is what the airlines really want to see :) Although this means we might see him a lot more at the office, we are so happy for him and the goals he has set for when he hits retirement in 4 years. End one incredible career and jump right into another. Huge Bravo Zulu to this Sailor/Aviator and his instructor Danny Britson!! ​

How does a retired police officer, turned aviator, still get to work undercover? Foggles (hahahaha)!! Sean Meeks is now instrument rated! No foul play here. Sean flew the required procedures for this rating within standards, nothing disorderly about it, and was awarded the temporary certificate he has been working so hard for. Now that his success has been made, we can also announce he has already started on his commercial while he was patiently waiting for this checkride. You will be getting another email about him soon. Huge congratulations to Sean on his success thus far. Great job to his CFII Danny Britson as well! ​