Care fore a spot of tee? Not sure if that is how avid golfer Shon Plamondon celebrates but today he needs to. This guy is now Instrument Rated!! Departures, holds, partial panel, different approaches…it doesn’t get much putter than his technical, skillful handling of the aircraft. Shon not only flies and plays golf, he also works full time for a local Title Company, plays a lot of softball (golf puns are more fun though), and spends time with his family. Once he went all in on earning his Instrument Rating, there was no stopping him. No ifs, ands, or putts about it. You are pretty tee-rific Shon, as well as your CFII Chazz Sandoval! Golf forth and prosper, which means, start working on that Commercial Certificate :) ​

Honoring our nation’s heroes on Memorial Day. Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it." –Unknown ​

Troy is going to be staring out of windows all day because this awesome aviator just earned his ATP and type rating!! How cool will it be to get on an airplane and see Troy in the cockpit. Well, wait no more! Hop on your next regional flight and look for your former CFI at the controls. Huge congratulations Troy!! You continue to inspire your students and us here at GBA. "Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." Troy, you made it happen!! ​

​When Matt Smith was a kid he wanted to be a pilot. As many of us know, life sometimes takes some detours, and our dreams aren’t always our first reality. Matt spent the first part of his professional career as an impressive pipe welder. However, that pilot dream kept nagging at him. So, what did he do? He hung up the torch and went all in with flight training. Matt knows that nothing worth having comes easy. He moved through a few different schools earning his private and instrument. Halfway through his commercial training, he had to find a new school again. Despite commuting 4 hours into Reno and battling weather, today Matt can finally shout to the world that he made it! He is a commercial pilot!! He is the humblest guy and such an inspiration of how perseverance and hard work pays off. Enjoy the celebration, Matt! You more than deserve it. Congratulations as well to his CFI, Grant Muzzio!

​What time does Isaak Reid wake up? At the quack of dawn. Why? Well, this brand-new soloed pilot is a water fowl hunting guide. When he is not playing beak-a-boo out in the marshes, he is staying busy learning to fly. Today he soloed on Runway 08 at KRTS in N328ME. No fowl play during his first few solo laps. This fire quacker showed his CFI Kevin Marshall that he has the skills to fly the plane safely and proficiently. Isaak is doing an amazing job in his progression to private pilot. Keep up the hard work! But tonight, sit down, put your feet up, and enjoy some cheese and quackers. Congratulations Isaak and great job as well to his CFI Kevin Marshall!