If you’ve spent any time around KRNO lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the name Giovani Rodriguez—and for good reason! On the east side of the airport, the buzz is all about Giovani’s biggest milestone yet: he’s officially GBA’s newest solo pilot! That’s right—the always-smiling, ever-dedicated Giovani took to the skies solo this afternoon in N670CS at KRTS on runway 14! Awesome work Giovani! Now, if you’re hanging around the west side of the field, you probably know Giovani for another reason—his proud service with the Air National Guard. And if you work in the RNO Tower, at Atlantic Aviation, or in Airport Ops, well... you might remember him as the guy who unintentionally launched a phone recovery mission near the approach end of runway 35R. Let’s just say he’s now very thorough about checking for his phone before takeoff 😉. We love to joke with Giovani about that little adventure, but today, we’re celebrating something truly remarkable. Giovani, your dedication and passion for aviation have brought you to this incredible moment. You did it—you’re officially a solo pilot! And of course, hats off to his flight instructor, Eric Harned, who’s not only an excellent insturctor but now also an expert in phone searches and rescue services. Awesome work you guys!
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