• Published on

    Jacob Hulsizer is January's Pilot of the Month!!

    ⭐️JACOB HULSIZER⭐️ Jacob Hulsizer is GBA’s January pilot of the month, and for good reason! From day one, Jacob has been all-in on his flight training, bringing dedication, enthusiasm, and an unstoppable work ethic to every lesson. Whether he's hitting the books in ground school or fine-tuning his maneuvers in the air, his commitment to mastering every aspect of aviation is undeniable. But Jacob isn’t just a great student—he’s a force of nature. Off the runway, he’s known for his high energy, passion for adventure, and unwavering support for his fellow pilots. Whether he’s cheering the loudest at sporting events, dominating on the track, or carving up fresh powder on the slopes, he approaches everything with the same determination and excitement that he brings to flying. Jacob’s hard work is paying off, and we couldn’t be prouder of his progress. Keep chasing the skies, Jacob—we can’t wait to see where your aviation journey takes you next!
    Picture
  • Published on

    David O'Hara is a Solo Pilot!!

    Big waves, fresh powder, and now, blue skies—David O’Hara has conquered them all! That’s right everyone, David O’Hara is officially a solo pilot! Taking to the skies, David took off out of KRTS on runway 8 in N670CS and had the thrill of a lifetime being able to explore the skies all while solo. I don’t know if I really need to tell you this, but David is one cool guy… I mean just look at him! David hails from the beautiful islands of Hawaii and is a master on the surfboard. But don’t let that fool you, while he may be a master in the water, he’s also conquered the land by snowboarding to his heart’s content here in the beautiful Sierra Nevada. Finally, now to add onto that list, David has conquered the skies and he’s done it all with an insatiable determination and passion. Also… the man speaks Japanese; this guy is just awesome. With all that said, let’s give a huge congratulations to David O’Hara and his flight instructor, Cory Kleidosty, on this absolutely amazing achievement. Keep it up, David! We have no doubt that this is just the beginning of an amazing journey for you.
    Picture
  • Published on

    Ava Armen is a Private Pilot!!

    Now look at that happy smile! The fantastic Ava Armen surpassed an incredible milestone today and got her private pilot license! From tumultuous weather conditions giving Ava grief these last few weeks, she finally broke through the clouds and capitalized on the opportunity and got her checkride done! And with her support system to back her up—her grandma and mama—these three fabulous ladies left with the biggest smiles on their faces. Ava is no stranger to aviation, though. Having been raised by her aviation father who flew both GA and commercial aircraft, she has been following in his footsteps and keeping his legacy alive through her training. Ava’s drive is truly inspiring and it’s so incredible to see her achieve this amazing accomplishment. When asked what Ava was going to do after her checkride, she promptly said, “I’m taking a nap.” When Ava isn’t being the awe-inspiring lady that she is, you can find her working at Trader Joe’s or studying like a mad woman at school. Let’s give Ava and her flight instructor, Shane Smith, a huge congratulations for all the work they put in to get to this amazing point in Ava’s training. Amazing job you guys! Ava, we can’t wait to see where the skies take you next.
    Picture
  • Published on

    Shane McAlister Made it from Zero Time to CFI!

    He's the one. He’s the only, and his name is Shane McAlister! Gosh, this guy again… if he wasn’t such a smiley go-lucky guy, I’d be sick of him… just kidding! Today is a tremendous day for Shane because he has officially earned his Certified Flight Instructor rating! And what better way to do it than earning it in the plane he soloed in… that’s right, to make it full circle, N37JA has seen Shane go from a wee baby solo pilot to Mr. Hot Shot CFI. And to add the cherry on top, Shane has achieved the impressive milestone of going from zero time to CFI all with Great Basin Aviation! With an insatiable drive and a clear goal in mind, Shane is unstoppable when you get him going. From the nightmares of lesson planning to juggling the quirks of learning how to fly in the right seat, Shane did it all and he did it with style. Let’s give this amazing aviator a huge round of applause for this incredible achievement! And while we’re at it, let’s also give a huge thank you to his flight instructor, Ryan Mill, who has been with Shane for instrument, commercial, and now CFI. Awesome work you two! Now get out there and celebrate!

    Picture
  • Published on

    Bryson Gay Conquered Private Pilot!!

    Congratulations to Bryson Gay, who just earned his private pilot license! Between juggling wedding planning, snowboarding down the slopes, casting lines for the perfect catch and rocking out at metal concerts, Bryson somehow found the time (and energy) to crush his flight training at the same time. His dedication has been nothing short of legendary, and today he’s officially cleared for takeoff! Of course, in classic Bryson fashion, when asked how he’d celebrate this huge milestone, he just shrugged, cracked a smile, and said he had to head to work. No fuss, no fanfare—just quietly achieving greatness like it’s no big deal. But make no mistake, this accomplishment is huge, and it’s a testament to Bryson’s relentless focus and humility. Let’s give Bryson and his flight instructor, Cory Kleidosty, a standing ovation for this incredible accomplishment. Bryson, we know you’ll keep flying high and rocking life’s next adventures with your signature laid-back style. Congratulations on this incredible achievement—you’ve earned every bit of it!
    Picture
  • Published on

    Zeus Wesley Conquered Private Pilot!!

    Today, the skies bowed once again to the thunderous talent of Zeus Wesley, who has officially earned his private pilot license! Like the Greek god Zeus, known for commanding the heavens, Zeus Wesley has proven himself a master of the skies. His journey to this milestone has been nothing short of legendary, marked by determination, hard work, and of course the incredible support of the Reno Air Race Association scholarship. Balancing school, flight training, and personal life is no small feat, but Zeus tackled each challenge with the grace of a true Olympian. From mastering the written exam to skillfully flying the airplane, he has shown unwavering dedication to his craft. With every flight, Zeus has harnessed the power of the winds, earning his place among the aviation elite. A thunderous congratulations goes out to Zeus and his flight instructor, Shane Smith, whose expert guidance has been instrumental in shaping this exceptional pilot. As Zeus soars into this new chapter, the horizon holds endless possibilities for him. Let’s give a sky-high round of applause to this incredible achievement—Zeus Wesley, pilot of the heavens, is officially ready to rule the skies!
    Picture