2025: A NEW Year at Aviation Ranch
It’s safe to say 2025 has started off with a bang! From record-breaking weather to flying milestones, there’s a lot to be excited about here at Aviation Ranch. Let’s take a look at what’s been happening:
Welcome Ross Bauschatz!
We are thrilled to announce Ross Bauschatz as a member of the Class of 2025 at Aviation Ranch! Ross joined us in January to work on his commercial license, and we couldn’t have asked for better flying weather. Thanks to the fantastic conditions, Ross was able to complete all the necessary training with flying colors. It’s been a pleasure watching him succeed, and we look forward to his continued achievements.
A New Chapter in Training
With Ross becoming our first commercial pilot student, we took the opportunity to expand our syllabus and training materials. This allowed us to ensure we were fully prepared for our next student, Keirn Gawthrop, who arrived shortly after. Keirn is now ready for his flight exam, and we’re confident we’ll be celebrating his success very soon. Stay tuned for updates!
Record-Breaking Snow at the Ranch
We were treated to an unexpected and breathtaking weather phenomenon here at the ranch—a record-breaking 8 inches of snow! It was a stunning sight, and we have some amazing photos from Rob and Erika to prove it. Unfortunately, I missed out on this snowy spectacle by just a day, returning to Florida a little earlier than planned. But I’m sure everyone here will remember it for a long time.
Safety First at Aviation Ranch: Upcoming Seminar and Important Reminders
We’re excited to announce that the Safety Seminar (Register NOW) is quickly approaching! This year, we have some brand new content and a fresh lineup of speakers, and we’re working on bringing in a few special guest speakers to make the event even more engaging. It’s shaping up to be an incredible opportunity for learning and growth.
At Aviation Ranch, we want to stress the importance of safety, especially for those of you who choose to fly while you’re in town. Our goal is to keep Cordele as the safest and friendliest place to fly, and we need your help in achieving that. Please make sure you’re always prepared with the right gear, including:
- Fire extinguisher in your basket and chase vehicle
- Ground tarp (a welder mat is ideal) to protect against fire risk from dry grass
- Tie-off—even on calm days, Mother Nature has a way of reminding us who’s in charge
- Radios for communication with your crew and the Airport (Frequency 123.05 / AWOS 119.325)
- First aid kit—an essential often overlooked for the sake of space or complacency
Emergency situations can arise unexpectedly, and we want to be prepared for whatever comes our way. Safety is always our top priority.
Additionally, we highly value our landowners and have a new KML file for those who are flying in our area. We’ve had some new cattle come onto the property, and we want to ensure you’re up to date on where it’s safe to fly. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have questions about flight areas or need guidance on where to fly safely.
In January alone, Aviation Ranch completed almost 30 hours of flying and made several new friends along the way!
Maverick Program Update: Flight Exams and New Members
We’re thrilled to announce that Jenna Litton and Hunter Nutting will soon be taking their flight exams, joining Lauren Sawin as part of the Maverick Program as newly certified private pilots. Our other Maverick, Mason Warren, is working hard on his training and is ready for his written exam and by the summer should be good to solo.(though school does tend to get in the way sometimes!).
We’re also excited to introduce our next Maverick Program member! We’ve already selected the lucky individual and are in the process of coordinating the delivery of a beautiful new balloon for them. Look out for more pictures and the announcement to this unsuspecting young adult!
If you know any young adults (ages 16-29) who would benefit from the Maverick Program and would like to nominate them, please send us their information to aviationranch22@gmail.com.
Sun N Fun is Coming Up!
With Sun N Fun just around the corner, if you’re planning to join us, make sure to check in with Jessica or Tom for all the details and don’t forget to submit your application! It’s going to be a fantastic time.
Important Numbers
We strive to make ourselves available to anyone who may have questions, want to to stop by the ranch for a tour, come for a weekend, need a Bi-Annual or Refresher course, and anything else. Here is the best way to reach us:
Email: AviationRanch22@gmail.com
Tom: 813-363-2287 Jessica: 813-243-9507
Rob: 515-779-1018 Erika: 515-779-1019