Ryan "Nerf" Neely

Name: Ryan Neely

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City: Henderson (currently)

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Where are you from originally? Born and raised in central Pennsylvania (Carlisle, PA)

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Describe your military experience, if any, and your occupation (or prior occupation if retired). Started my military career as a Cadet in ROTC at Penn State University. After graduating, I went to pilot training in Columbus, MS, in class 11-13. I flew T-6's and T-38's. I graduated and was assigned F-16s. I moved to Luke AFB in Phoenix for my initial flight training in the F-16. Was assigned Shaw AFB, SC, as my first Combat Squadron. Additionally assigned to Korea, then back to Luke as an F-16 instructor. Moved to Edwards AFB, CA, in 2019 for Test Pilot School. Stayed at Edwards doing F-16 testing until 2023. Moved to Las Vegas and joined the Club in 2025.

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When did you join LVVSA? Spring 2025

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What Club positions have you held? None so far

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What flying ratings and endorsements do you have? How many hours? CFI/I in single engine pilot. Commercial single/multi/glider pilot Also tail wheel endorsed. 2100+ hours of total flight time. Approximately 1700 hours in the F-16.

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What first got you interested in flying and/or soaring? Test Pilot School. We got a handful of glider rides, and I really enjoyed both the challenge of searching for lift and the purist nature of just flight controls and wings keeping me aloft.

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Describe a specific flight or experience you'd like to share. Too many to single one out...but a recent accomplishment, within a 3-day span I flew a Jet (F-16), prop plane, and a glider.

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What'a the best thing about LVVSA and soaring? I love the close knit community and all the experience I'm around when I'm there.

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Anything else you'd like to add? I was very happy to find the club when I did, and I'll miss it when I inevitably have to move to my next assignment. 

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