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    Jeff is Instrument Rated!!

    Talk to me Goose! Sure, Maverick might think he’s cool in his F-14 in tandem with his homie Goose as they buzz the tower, but they’ve got nothing on Jeff Wood, who just wrapped up his instrument checkride in the mighty Cessna 172! Jeff is an intelligence officer (with emphasis on intelligence) at the Top Gun facility in Fallon by day, and private pilot with a newly minted instrument rating by night! No, Jeff and his examiner didn’t get completely inverted, but he demonstrated a high level of proficiency recovering from unusual attitudes and flying a number of complex instrument approaches with greater precision than Maverick can only dream about! He was sure to not lose that lovin' feeling as he reported Jintu and proved he has what it takes to fly safely in the clouds! Congratulations to Jeff and his CFII Cody Lucero! Now onto Commercial!!
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    Preston has the power!!

    Preston is now officially an airplane pilot!! Mr. Glider CFI decided to pursue something with power and, despite the cruddy weather, progressed through his training to a successful checkride. We could make a lot of glider jokes but Preston is way too nice to poke fun of  :) Preston has not only battled the weather with regard to flying, but also driving. When he wasn’t shoveling off his roof, he was fighting the winter road condition driving in from Truckee. Now that the weather is predicted to get better (in April), Preston will definitely power through his instrument then onto commercial. Having the glider background has been an advantage as a lot of the training, minus power, is similar. Plus, a little wind doesn’t bother him. Awesome job to Preston and his CFI Ryan Mill! ​
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    Back East Private Pilot!!

     Jeffrey Helf is a private pilot! His training and checkride took place back east, but he is still part of the GBA family. He flew a few flights with CFI Grant Muzzio to prep while he was in town last week for a bowling tournament. Jeffrey has been plagued by weather delays back east too and found a window here to sneak in some last-minute prep. We are so happy for Jeffrey and hope to see him back here soon renting the beloved C172 for some Lake Tahoe sightseeing adventures. Congratulations!!
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    Noah Soloed!!

    ​Noah Klein is a soloed pilot!! KRNO, runway 17L will always hold a special spot in Noah’s training as that was the spot for his first logged PIC time! Flying solo for this Frat Boy was definitely not Greek. He managed the controls just as well as he manages his college studies…which is with complete focus ;) Despite yesterday being an overindulging holiday, Noah told the Frat bruhs “no” and focused on his flights today. And look what came of his responsible decision! Even though he looked pretty beat up due to a busted blood vessel in his eye (does not change his vision), he was cool, calm, and collected for his memorable flight. When Noah is not mastering his keg stand, he is hard at work with his flight studies, college courses, living the Greek life, and making some side money as a DJ. Live young, wild, and Greek, right Noah? Just not in a GBA plane. Awesome job to Noah and his CFI Chazz Sandoval! 
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    Alex soloed!!

    Well, we found who has been begging for all the snow…Alex Monroe, avid shredder and also student pilot. Before you tackle him in the office, know that he likes good flying weather too. This carver does not just sparkle on the slopes, he also is pretty awesome in the cockpit. Today, as we continue to enjoy the gorgeous weather between storms, Alex took a break from the slopes and this evening soloed N670CS at KCXP runway 27! Logging that first entry of PIC time was hard earned. Alex has been faithfully coming in on the limited fly days we have had. When he is not flying, or skiing, he is working full time, and probably dreaming about flying and skiing. A lot in common with his CFI Ryan Mill, another guilty snow craver. You guys can stop asking for it now, let’s get springtime going! Regardless of us putting the weather blame on these two, we are super happy for their success! First solo for Alex and first soloed student for Ryan!! Awesome job guys! Keep up the hard work!
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