What’s the best thing to come out of New Zealand? I know you’re all thinking Sauvignon Blanc (and who could blame you?), but it’s actually Blair McLeod, GBA’s newest Private Pilot! This guy’s been soaring through challenges like a Kiwi that just realized it could fly. Blair’s journey has been more epic than a rugby match with the All Blacks—battling weather delays, making the trek from the lake (probably dodging sheep and hobbits along the way), all while running his own business with the focus of a true Kiwi legend. Now he’s ready to celebrate this incredible achievement! And what better way than heading back to the land of the long white cloud to see his whānau? Blair, your hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and we can’t wait to see where the skies take you next. A massive shoutout to his CFI, Andrew Spanier, for guiding him through this journey.

​Today, we're beyond thrilled to announce that Couper Ross has officially earned his private pilot license! Couper has been absolutely soaring through his training over the last few months, showing an incredible amount of dedication, perseverance, and passion. He put in the hard work, and it’s paid off—now he's ready to take to the skies with his well-deserved wings! But the journey doesn't stop here. Couper is setting his sights even higher as he prepares to head to the Air Force Academy. With dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, there's no doubt he’s ready to take on this new challenge with the same determination that got him this far. The sky isn’t just the limit for Couper—it’s his next playground! We also want to give a huge shoutout to his fantastic CFI, Eric Harned. Eric’s guidance and expertise have been instrumental in helping Couper reach this incredible milestone. Couper, we're all eagerly awaiting the amazing things you'll achieve next. Here’s to clear skies, smooth landings, and an amazing future ahead!

​Geez, this guy again? Just kidding 😁. Whether you’ve seen him on social media sporting GBA merch or if you’ve had to kick him out of a conference room while he performed rituals with the FAR/ AIM tabbers, you know that Ian has quite the reputation around here. As much as we like to poke fun at Ian, we’re super excited to announce that Ian Barry is officially a private pilot! Ian, to no one’s surprise, showed up calm and ready this morning while sporting his tried-and-true golf attire… naturally to celebrate with a game after his ride (unreal). While in the air, his CFI and president of the FAR/AIM tabbers, Eric Harned, cheered Ian on while he executed his maneuvers with grace and buttered his landings with ease. Ian, you’ve been hitting the books and putting your flight training before your golfing career—a hard ask I know— and we’re incredibly proud of you. Let’s give a huge round of applause to Ian Barry and Eric Harned on this incredible accomplishment! You’ll be seeing Ian again soon as he approaches his instrument training head on… but in the meantime, breathe, you did it!

​Lights, camera, action! While Louize is usually getting bombarded left and right by the paparazzi for her star appearance in The Hunt for Red October (she may or may not have her own IMDB page 😁), she traded in her stardom and fame this morning for the yoke and hum of a Cessna 172… that’s right everyone, the illustrious Louize Borras soloed this morning in N495SP at KSPZ on runway 24! However, she’s not completely new to the aviation industry. Louize has been ensuring the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers as a flight attendant for 13 years! You can say she’s always had a knack for aviation. If you know Louize, you know she’s one of the sweetest, most kind individuals, and we’re so excited to celebrate this accomplishment with her! She’s worked incredibly hard balancing her life as a flight attendant, being a loving mother of her two fur babies, working towards reading 50 books this year, and committing to the workload of flight training. All that hard work has paid off! Huge congratulation to Louize, and the Zipp Fizz salesman- I mean CFI, Andrew Spanier on this huge achievement! Andrew and Louize have worked diligently to get to this point, awesome work to the both of you!

​Justin Fulton has just taken his aviation career to the next level by earning his private pilot license today! From the high-octane world of Navy jets to the calm precision of a Cessna 172, Justin has shown that he’s not just flying; he’s mastering the art of it. The journey hasn’t been without its challenges, though. Balancing a busy Navy life, the long drives from Fallon, and rigorous flight training, Justin has displayed a level of dedication that is nothing short of inspiring. He’s kept his nose in the books and his hands on the controls, proving that he’s got what it takes to command the skies. Today, all that hard work paid off as he took the final steps to secure his private pilot license—a milestone that marks the beginning of many more airborne adventures. So here’s a big congratulations to Justin Fulton, now officially licensed to take to the skies whenever the mood strikes. Whether he’s buzzing over Fallon or exploring new horizons, one thing is clear: Justin’s journey is just getting started, and the sky is only the beginning. Huge congratulations to Justin and his CFI, Andrew Spanier, on this incredible accomplishment!