Great Basin Aviation

Great Basin Aviation is a flight school and aircraft rental company at Reno-Tahoe International Airport (KRNO) in Reno, Nevada. It was formerly known as Flying Start Aero. The company is 100 percent veteran- and woman-owned, and its website describes it as the only Cessna Pilot Center in Northern Nevada.

Training

• Private pilot, instrument rating, commercial pilot, and CFI and CFII courses
• Discovery flights, listed at US$199 in October 2026 (rates change, confirm with the school)
• Flight reviews, advanced instruction and endorsements
• Scenic flights and aircraft rental
• FAA knowledge testing center on site

Training takes place in Class C airspace, next to airline, military, medevac and business jet traffic. The school says this builds radio skills and confidence from the first lesson, and that local controllers welcome student visits to the tower. Uncontrolled airports for practice are minutes away in every direction.

Fleet

The school describes its fleet as the most modern training aircraft in Northern Nevada. Aircraft receive 50 and 100 hour inspections.

• Cessna 172S Skyhawk N2291C (2005): Garmin G1000, ADS-B in and out, IFR certified, 180 hp
• Cessna 172S Skyhawk N752DW (2001): Garmin GTN 625 WAAS GPS, GTX 345 transponder, KAP 140 autopilot
• Cessna 172S Skyhawk N495SP (1998): Garmin GNX 375 touch screen GPS and transponder, KAP 140 autopilot
• Cessna 172R N37JA (1997)
• Cessna Turbo 182T Skylane N117AP (2009): 235 hp turbocharged Lycoming, Garmin G1000 with synthetic vision, GFC 700 autopilot, 110 gallons usable fuel, for high performance endorsements and touring

Approach

The school says it is not the biggest or cheapest flight school in town, by design. It tracks each student's progress, keeps the same instructors with a student, and focuses on structured training that shortens timelines and cuts wasted cost. It accepts cash, checks and cards, and funding from several lending firms.

Contact

Email: goflying@greatbasinaviation.com
Office hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 4 pm
Details from the company's website, October 2026.