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    Ryan is a CFII!

    Nothing like adding another “I” to your CFI. And that’s exactly what CFI (now CFII) Ryan Mill did today! He taught the DPE a thing or two about flying and not being able to look out the window, and looked pretty snazzy doing it. Then back into Reno and a new temporary certificate now in his hands. Ryan is kinda a legend around these parts. He is zero to CFII at GBA, 141 extraordinaire, and now sharing his love of aviation as a GBA instructor. When he is not flying you can find him doing some pretty extreme sports including back country skiing (the kind where you drop off cliffs) or careening his mountain bike down some sketchy switchbacks. We would wrap him in bubble wrap if we could, but he seems to always show up for his flights with no broken bones. Awesome job Ryan! It has been inspiring watching you succeed. Great work as well to his CFII Richard Brong!
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    Pablo is a Private Pilot!!

    All the way from Rochester New York, ladies and gentlemen, Pablo Stein, GBA’s newest Private Pilot!! Woohoo!! Pablo moved to Reno to continue his flight training and now has goal #1 checked off his list. Today he demonstrated he has the skills to handle these Northern Nevada summer skies. It was no surprise Pablo succeeded. He flies a few times a week, attends every Monday night study group, and excels in his ground knowledge. All while adjusting to life out west, exploring Northern Nevada, working full time, and sipping mimosas. For a guy who wants to be a career pilot, he is off to an amazing start. Awesome job Pablo!! Congrats as well to his CFI Ryan Mill!
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    Dual Discovery Flights!

    What is more awesome than a cool, calm morning Discovery Flight? Well, not much…unless you get to share the excitement with the ones you love! This morning, husband and wife team Alex and Kelsey, both took their own plane (with an instructor) and got to experience single engine flight, taking in all the sights, chatting with the tower, and learning about the four fundamentals of flight. There might have been a little 100-ish knot racing going on this morning up there too. If you blinked, you would have missed it. Look at these smiles!!  That is what aviation is all about.
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    Flight Engineer Gone Student Pilot!!

    ​It’s getting hot out there! But even in the midst of 90-degree weather, student pilot extraordinaire, Randy Harsey, was able to squeeze in his first ever solo flight this morning in N495SP at KRTS on runway 26! That’s right, Randy wiped the sweat from his forehead and locked his sights for 26, and after some great pilotage, Randy buttered all landings with extra flare (pun fully intended 😉). But this isn’t Randy’s first ride-in with aviation by any means. When he’s not flying GBA planes and cruising at a calm and comfortable 90kts, he oversees the systems of the good ol’ C-130 for our local Air Guard as a flight engineer! So if you’ve ever had to do a go-around because of C-130 wake turbulence, you can probably blame Randy… When he’s not spending all of his time at KRNO, you can find Randy going to Disneyland with his family and avidly snowboarding in the winter. Huge congratulations to Randy and his instructor, Kevin Marshall, on this incredible accomplishment! Now get out there and fly!
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    Anthony is a Commercial Pilot!!

    ​No, it is not déjà vu, but yes, you have seen this name very recently… Anthony Futch is a Commercial Pilot!! Anthony was very well prepared which was evident in his oral exam and his smooth flight. It wasn’t long ago that this high-speed 141 student earned his Instrument Rating. He embraced the rigorous schedule and pretty much lived at GBA (seriously), and in the end, success!! We might even make him the new 141 poster boy. Remember this name because you will be reading about his CFI accomplishment very soon. Awesome job Anthony and also incredible work by his instructor, Danny Britson! 
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    Alex is a Private Pilot!!

    Now that the snow is almost gone, Alex Monroe, avid shredder, has had more time to work on his pilot skills. Today, he showed that he can also shred in the sky because he earned his Private Pilot Certificate!! Nothing like some summer afternoon winds and thermals to add to the mix when trying to demonstrate all required maneuvers within standards. Like hitting the moguls of the sky. No problem for Alex though. He fought through it and definitely worked hard to earn this awesome first step toward a career in aviation. He has successfully balanced work, probably a bunch of fun, family, and flying. It can be done and now Alex will start on that next step, his instrument rating. Relax a little but get right back at it. Huge congratulations to Alex and his CFI Ryan Mill!!
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