​What a beautiful day for some flying, and what an even better day to solo! That’s right everyone, Grant White, aviation fanatic and secret chef who’s on par with Gordan Ramsey, soloed this morning at KRTS on rwy 8 with his instructor, Alex Spencer, watching from the sidelines! After kicking out Alex, Grant made his way to the busy KRTS traffic pattern and handled the pressure with a cool and calm domineer. As if his cooking skills weren’t already impressive, Grant put the cherry on top when he buttered all of his landings with incredible finesse. Thinking he could walk into the office without saying a word, Grant was surely proven wrong as Hailey uncovered the truth and proceeded to scold him and his instructor on their deceit… nothing gets past the GBA crew 😉. When Grant’s not flying, you can find him at home cooking up a storm, hunting, fishing, or enjoying a big plate of Mexican food. Grant has been working diligently to get to this point in his training, and it’s easy to say that that hard work has finally paid off! Huge congratulations to Grant and his instructor, Alex Spencer, on this amazing accomplishment! Now go celebrate, Grant! Next step is checkride prep 😉.

Listen up aviators! We've got the scoop on the man, the myth, the Crocs enthusiast – Justin Rice is now officially a Private Pilot!! Yes, the guy we terrorize in the office for his Croc game (apparently, all the “cool” Justins wear them), nailed that first huge milestone of his aviation path. Despite Justin's low-key beef with low ceilings, he faced the pre-storm, soared through the skies, and showed the examiner that he's got the right stuff for the freedom of flight. In a whirlwind 2.5 months, Justin went from being a land dweller to a sky conqueror. That's faster than a Croc sale at the outlet store! Despite being a California transplant, he embraced the Nevada spirit like a true desert-dwelling maverick, showing off his grit, consistency, focus, and preparedness. Justin had a goal and figured out how to make it work in the time frame he wanted. Kudos to you, Justin! Your journey from zero to Private Pilot is super impressive and despite the hard time we give you (you bring it on yourself), we were all cheering for you. And let's not forget a big shout-out to his CFI, Alex Spencer, for guiding him through this sky-high journey. Awesome job to both of you! ​

We are absolutely thrilled to extend congratulations to the incredible Shelby Sellers for achieving the monumental milestone of becoming a Private Pilot! Shelby's journey is a testament to the extraordinary power of hard work, unwavering focus, and sheer determination. Shelby isn't just a pilot; she's a true inspiration, showcasing her passion for life in every endeavor. Fluent in Mandarin, a world traveler, and an adventurer at heart, she epitomizes the spirit of embracing every opportunity. Whether she's cruising on her motorcycle, exploring the depths through free diving, or shredding the pow-pow on her snowboard, Shelby exemplifies a zest for life that's truly remarkable. Her spotlight as GBA Pilot of the Month is a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional dedication to aviation. Shelby's down-to-earth nature, sweet demeanor, infectious smile, and unwavering focus make her not just an outstanding pilot but a beacon of positivity in the aviation community. And, she shares a love of aviation with her pilot husband, creating a unique and beautiful connection. A match made in aviation :) Great job as well to her CFI, Ryan Mills, whose guidance and mentorship undoubtedly played a pivotal role in shaping Shelby's success! Take a little break Shelby, then back to the books for your Instrument Rating! ​

Ready for absolutely fantastic news?!? Tara Tate is a Private Pilot!! Tara's journey to becoming a Private Pilot is nothing short of inspiring! With the wise words of her early instructor (Troy Ware) echoing in her mind, it's clear that she embraced the mantra: "You look good, you feel good. You feel good, you fly good." And boy, did she prove it right! Tara didn't just conquer the Northern Nevada skies; she soared through challenges and pushed her limits with unwavering determination. Despite all the curveballs life threw at her, she took each one in stride, showing incredible perseverance and resilience. Tara's tenacity and spirit are truly commendable. A huge round of applause not only for Tara but also for her dedicated flight instructor, Nik Joshi! It takes a skilled and patient teacher to nurture a pilot of Tara's caliber. Together, they've achieved something remarkable, and the skies are now a little friendlier with Tara among the ranks of private pilots. Here's to Tara, the epitome of perseverance, and to Nik Joshi, the mentor who guided her to this incredible achievement! May the skies always be clear, and the winds always be in Tara's favor as she continues her adventures as an aviator! ​