Every year, the Colorado Division of Aeronautics honors the outstanding individuals and organizations shaping the future of their state’s aviation system. This year’s awards were presented at the 2026 Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) Spring Conference, held June 10–12 in Pueblo, Colorado. The Division was thrilled to celebrate excellence across the state by presenting four […]
ACIT Aviation Program Launches Student into Prestigious Air Force Flight Academy Scholarship
From classroom to cockpit, Atlantic County Institute of Technology’s (ACIT) Aviation Studies program is launching junior student Andrew Merlock into the prestigious Air Force Junior ROTC (AFJROTC) Flight Academy. Merlock will continue to train for and earn his private pilot certification over the summer break. His selection highlights ACIT’s expanding role in preparing students for […]
Oregon Department of Aviation Releases UAS Operations and Policy Manual Template for State and Local Agencies
The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has released a new Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations and Policy Manual template to help Oregon state agencies, cities, counties, special districts, and other public bodies develop safe and consistent drone programs. The template is designed as a practical starting point for agencies that use, or are considering the use […]
The National Aeronautic Association Names Robert Sumwalt 2026 Recipient of the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced that Robert Sumwalt, former Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and world-renowned aviation safety champion, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the prestigious Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. The Wright Trophy is awarded annually to a living American for significant public service of enduring value to […]
UBCP Helps RAF Reopen Taylor Flat and “Expand the Map”
Photo Credit: Cory Wolf, Taylor Flat, UT Taylor Flat Airstrip, just a stone’s throw from the wild and scenic Green River as it carves through spectacular Utah canyons, is officially reopened. Thanks to a cooperative effort between the RAF and Utah Back Country Pilots (UBCP), Taylor Flat Airstrip, TF9, is one more recreational destination pilots […]
US Aviation Academy Partners with Texas State University to Expand Aviation Science Degree and Flight Training to Four New Locations
US Aviation Academy has announced a partnership with Texas State University (TXST) to expand the university’s Aviation Science degree program to New Braunfels and Denton, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Kansas City, Kansas. The collaboration pairs an accredited college degree with the professional flight training and certifications students need to launch careers as commercial and airline […]
Aviation/Airspace Needs Plenary Session Panel Highlighted at WRP Principals’ Meeting
Photo – Aviation panel members from left are, Gary Harter, Mark Bontrager, Arjuna “Tuna” Fields and Matthew Maass. Senior leaders from state, federal and Tribal agencies gathered May 28-29 for the 2026 Western Regional Partnership (WRP) Principals’ Meeting in Deer Valley, Utah. Before the meeting officially kicked-off, separate meetings were held among Department of War, […]
NATA Congratulates Caitlin Locke on FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Appointment
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) congratulated Caitlin Locke on being named Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. Locke, who has spent nearly 18 years at the FAA, moves into the agency’s top civilian safety role after serving as Executive Director of the Aircraft Certification Service within the Aviation Safety organization. The […]
MAMA Members Brief Key State Lawmakers on Beacon Hill
Members of the Massachusetts Airport Managers Association (MAMA) Legislative Committee travelled to Beacon Hill on June 17 to brief lawmakers on key aviation issues and thank them for their support of Massachusetts’ 37 public use airports through the MassDOT Aeronautics Division. The briefings were conducted in the offices of Senator Jamie Edlridge, Senate Chair of […]
JetZero Breaks Ground on First Aircraft Factory in Greensboro, North Carolina
JetZero today broke ground on its first manufacturing and final assembly campus, an 8 million square foot factory on more than 600 acres in Greensboro, North Carolina. The project, supported by the largest ever State-level incentive package for any startup of any industry, will be home to production of JetZero’s next-generation aircraft and will create […]

















