State Aviation Journal – Your Best Source of State Aviation News

One of the greatest pilots of my youth is about to take flight! Fox McCloud!
As you know, I love my retro aviation games. Anything that was related to aviation and flight was a must play for me growing up and this was absolutely the case with one of my all-time favorite Super Nintendo games, Star Fox! I still own a complete in box (CIB) copy of the SNES version […]
Dassault’s Falcon 10X Makes Maiden Flight
Photo credit: Dassault Aviation – M. Douhaire Dassault Aviation’s all-new Falcon 10X has successfully completed its first flight, demonstrating the program’s maturity and marking the launch of the flight test campaign. “This inaugural flight is another milestone for Dassault,” said Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier. “It is a reflection of the dedication and high skill […]
VC-25B Bridge Aircraft Arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Begins Commissioning Flights
The Air Force’s VC-25B Bridge aircraft has officially arrived at the Presidential Airlift Group and will commence its initial commissioning flights, marking the successful delivery of a secure, modified executive platform. Fresh from receiving its new red, white, and blue livery and the final government modifications, the aircraft has entered service to provide critical, secure […]
Adacel to Deliver REVAL Remote Tower System for Labasa Airport in Fiji
Adacel Technologies Limited (Adacel), announced it has been awarded a new contract from Fiji Airports to implement a remote tower system for Labasa Airport, enabling aerodrome air traffic services to be delivered from a centralized Remote Tower Centre (RTC) in Nadi. This is the first such installation for the Pacific Islands. With Labasa Airport servicing […]

State News

Ontario International Airport Passenger Volume Up 2.3% Through First Five Months of 2026

Passenger volume through Ontario International Airport (ONT) was on autopilot in May, growing by 0.4% while the traveler count rose 2.3% for the first five months of the year. Ontario welcomed 632,441 travelers in May, including 577,523 domestic passengers. The number of international fliers continued to surge, increasing by 41.5% to nearly 55,000. The Southern California gateway reported more than 2.7 million passengers for the first five months of the year, up 2.3%. Domestic passenger volume was 2.4 million, while the number of international travelers rose by 53.7% to more than 292,000. “ONT has spent the last decade proving what is possible when an airport remains focused on serving its community, its airline partners, and its passengers,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA). “The continued growth in passenger traffic, especially among international travelers, reflects the strength of our market and the growing number of travelers who choose ONT as their preferred gateway to Southern California.” Passenger TotalsMay 2026May 2025ChangeYTD 2026YTD 2025ChangeDomestic577,523591,336-2.3%2,460,9362,500,546-1.6%International54,91838,80141.5%292,348190,16553.7%Total632,441630,1370.4%2,753,2842,690,7112.3% The air carriers with the greatest passenger shares in May were: Southwest Airlines (35.7%) American Airlines (14.0%) Delta Air Lines (10.9%) Frontier Airlines (10.1%) Alaska Airlines (10.0%) Air cargo including commercial freight and U.S. mail increased by 4.7% in May as freight tonnage rose by 8.2%, surpassing 63,000 tons. Year to date, cargo tonnage rose by 7.4% to more than 356,000 tons with freight up by 11.2% to more than 307,000 tons. Shipments of mail were lower by 11.4%. Air cargo (tonnage)May 2026May 2025ChangeYTD 2026YTD 2025ChangeFreight63,41558,6008.2%307,146276,13411.2%Mail10,14511,666-13.0%49,85256,266-11.4%Total73,56170,2664.7%356,998332,4007.4% Ontario International consistently ranks among the top 10 cargo airports in the United States.
High Flying Hangars Breaks Ground on Multi-acre Development at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland

Photo – Left to right: Richard Griffin, Andrew Moore, Peter Bremh, Michael O’Connor, Kenny Hinkes, Randy Sibold, Joe Roetering, Norm Long, Jodie Bollinger. (Photo: Stephen Yeates/High Flying Hangars) High Flying Hangars has celebrated the groundbreaking event at its development now in progress at the Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland (KFDK). Frederick City Mayor Michael O’Connor; Airport Manager Andrew Moore; Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development; Randy Sibold, CEO of Warner Construction; and Kenny Hinkes, CEO of High Flying Hangars, were on hand to commemorate the first turn of the shovel for the new hangar community at Frederick. The need for hangars in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area continues to outpace supply, and High Flying Hangars is on its way to meeting this demand with the first new hangar construction on the Frederick airport in more than 20 years. The Frederick Municipal Airport (KFDK) serves a general and business aviation market that encompasses the surrounding region in Maryland in addition to the northern Washington, D.C. metro area. (Photo: Stephen Yeates/High Flying Hangars) Frederick Municipal Airport Manager Andrew Moore said of the milestone, “The Frederick airport team looks forward to working with High Flying Hangars to make this project a reality and welcome new aviators into our FDK community. This project represents a significant investment into the growth story of the Frederick Municipal Airport as the preferred access point to the region.” Kenny Hinkes, CEO of High Flying Hangars, commented on the importance of the Frederick development, from both a local and regional perspective, as well as for the company. “As Maryland’s fastest-growing city, Frederick is a community on the move,” said Hinkes. “New businesses are choosing to locate here, new families are making Frederick their home, and the airport has an important role to play in supporting that growth. These hangars are another step in ensuring that the airport continues to serve the needs of a vibrant and expanding community.” The 11.45-acre development will be located at midfield within the airport layout and will be constructed in two phases, with 44 hangars to be built in Phase 1, and about 34 hangars planned for Phase 2. The Hangar Club clubhouse forms a key part of the Phase 1 build, and it will feature multiple restrooms, a meeting room, a commercial-grade kitchen, a patio and a sky deck for optimum flight line viewing, high speed internet, and a large, open floorspace on both levels. The design plan can be viewed on the High Flying Hangars website, with the ability to make initial reservations for interested owners. Hangars are available in several sizes: 1,245 sq ft (41.5 ft by 30 ft), 2,000 sq ft (50 ft by 40 ft), 3,600 sq ft (60 ft by 60 ft), 4,200 sq ft (70 ft by 60 ft), and 8,000 sq ft (100 ft by 80 ft) and feature Diamond Bi-Fold Doors with a clear opening that varies with hangar dimensions, and Smart Door technology for the ultimate in security. Larger hangars (2,000 sq ft and larger) are planned to come with an in-unit bathroom, frost-free hose bibs with a wash basin, and in-floor drainage. All units include the following amenities: Bright LED lighting High-speed internet Fully insulated, American-made all-steel construction Densified and polished concrete floors Large warehouse fans Overhead infrared heat For more information, or to secure your reservation at Frederick Municipal Airport or other High Flying Hangars locations, please visit the website.

National News

GAMA Announces 2026 Aviation Design Challenge Winners

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that the team from Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, is the first-place winner of the 2026 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge. The team from Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, is the second-place winner and the team from Greenville Technical Charter High School in Greenville, South Carolina, is the third-place winner. 2026 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge first-place team from Cambridge High School Porter High School (from left to right: John Friske (teacher) Clark Benner, Christian Seawright, Morgan Smith and Adam Gould). “The 2026 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge participants showcased some very creative and innovative design concepts, and we are proud of all the hard work that the teams put into their submissions. We congratulate Cambridge High School on winning the competition, along with Corona Del Sol High School and Greenville Technical Charter High School for their top finishes. GAMA looks forward to furthering the reach and impact of this valuable program, which provides students with a unique perspective into aircraft design and the science of flight,” said James Viola, GAMA president and CEO. Over 70 high school teams, representing 31 states, entered the 2026 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge. During the first portion of the challenge, teams used complimentary “Fly to Learn” curriculum to learn the principles of flight and airplane design. During the second portion of the competition, teams applied their knowledge to modify the design of an airplane and complete a fly-off mission using X-Plane software. This year’s mission was to modify a Cessna 208 Caravan to complete a test flight, carrying as much weight as possible, as fast as possible, in the French Alps. The teams needed to design their aircraft to maximize speed and cargo weight to successfully navigate between two remote locations in high altitudes. Judges scored the teams based on test flight performance, a summary explaining design changes, a video submission summarizing what they learned and a checklist describing steps for the test flight. Members of the first-place team from Cambridge High School include Clark Benner, Adam Gould, Morgan Smith, and Christian Seawright. The Cambridge team’s entry went into great detail about their reasonings for design modifications which included determining an optimal wing aspect ratio, adoption of a V-tail configuration, and a larger propeller with remodeled landing gear to compensate for the propeller’s increased diameter. The team’s first-place prize includes a CubCrafters Manufacturing Experience, demonstration flight opportunities and much more. The second-place entry from Corona Del Sol High School included detailed experiments to test variables for their design modifications of a lowered wing with reduced length, increased flap mean chord ratio, changed airfoil type, and the addition of retractable landing gear, with repositioning, and speed brakes. They will receive a two-day Redbird Flight STEM Lab. The third-place entry from Greenville Technical Charter High School included multi-variant development with detailed reasoning for each evolution that culminated in an aircraft with a longer wingspan with a greater aspect ratio, reduced horsepower, a larger propeller, and a T-tail configuration. They will receive one-year ForeFlight Premium subscriptions. This year, to ensure that technology gaps did not hinder a school from participating, the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Foundation established a technology grant program to provide computers and/or flight controls to schools in need. Through the IADA Foundation’s generosity, all the schools that requested technology assistance were supported. “The IADA Foundation is proud that we were able to provide the needed technical assistance for teams to participate in the GAMA Aviation Design Challenge. The grant program furthers our dedication to strengthening the future of aviation through education, innovation and opportunity,” said Suzanne Meiners-Levy, Chair of the IADA Foundation and Shareholder at Advocate Consulting Legal Group, PLLC. “We remain committed to investing and supporting the next generation of engineers, pilots and aviation leaders who will carry this industry forward.” The 2024 Aviation Design Challenge sponsoring companies include Bombardier, Cirrus Aircraft, Click Bond Inc., CubCrafters, Embraer, Garmin, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Hartzell Propeller, Jeppesen ForeFlight, Jet Aviation, Redbird Flight, Signature Aviation, Textron Aviation and Wipaire. Sponsors provide financial support for the curriculum, software and prizes as well as in-kind donations. “GAMA is grateful to our sponsors, whose strong commitment to youth outreach has helped drive the success and continued growth of the Aviation Design Challenge. We are excited to recognize the hard work of our winning teams through the meaningful experiences made possible by our sponsors. Additionally, we are very appreciative of the generous support from the IADA Foundation to ensure that participating teams had the resources needed to compete in the challenge,” Viola said.
Airlines for America Announces Marco Sylvester as Senior Vice President, International Affairs

Airlines for America (A4A) announced that Marco Sylvester has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of International Affairs. Marco Sylvester In this role, Sylvester will lead A4A’s international policy strategy and engagement, working with global stakeholders to advance the priorities of U.S. airlines and promote a safe, competitive and sustainable international aviation system. “Marco brings a deep understanding of both transportation policy and international affairs at a pivotal moment for our industry,” said A4A President and CEO Gov. Chris Sununu. “His experience across government and the private sector will be invaluable as we continue to advocate for policies that further strengthens U.S. aviation leadership around the world.” Sylvester most recently served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, where he led international aviation negotiations and worked closely with foreign governments to advance U.S. transportation interests. Previously, he was a Senior Policy Advisor at Venable LLP, advising clients across the transportation sector, including airlines and emerging transportation technology companies. Earlier in his career, Sylvester served as Senior Advisor to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation at the U.S. Department of Transportation and as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Robert Pittenger, where he managed the transportation and foreign affairs portfolio. Sylvester is originally from West Hartford, Connecticut, and holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern University.

International News

GAMA Welcomes General Court Decision on EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcomes today’s judgment of the General Court of the European Union annulling the exclusion of aircraft intended for private or commercial business aviation from the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. The judgment is an important recognition that sustainable-finance policy must be based on legally sound, technology-neutral and equitable criteria. It confirms that business aircraft manufacturing cannot be assessed through an operational metric that is not recognized in EU law, nor by assuming that other transport modes are necessarily low-carbon alternatives, all of which GAMA has been advocating for at all levels of the European Commission for over five years. Business Aviation is actively investing in credible decarbonization pathways, including through the expanded availability and use of sustainable aviation fuels, continued improvements in aircraft efficiency and the development of low- and zero- emission propulsion technologies. “GAMA welcomes today’s ruling by the General Court of the European Union as a significant rebalancing step towards a fair and evidence-based sustainable finance framework for aviation. Business aviation manufacturers are committed to reducing emissions and advancing innovation. Funding criteria for this transition should be assessed on a technology-neutral and equitable basis that is consistent with industrial, technological and market realities,” said Kyle Martin, GAMA’s Vice President for European Affairs. GAMA looks forward to working constructively with the European Commission and policymakers on an updated taxonomy framework that supports investment in aviation innovation and recognizes the role of all parts of the aerospace sector in delivering Europe’s climate and competitiveness objectives.
Avianca Adds Temporary Flights Between Bogotá and Valencia, Venezuela

As part of its efforts to support travel for those affected by the emergency in Venezuela, including their friends, relatives and rescue organizations, Avianca has temporarily opened bookings for flights between Bogotá and Valencia. The flights will initially operate through July 10 and are available at special fares. Service may be extended depending on how the situation develops. This measure will help maintain air connectivity between Colombia and Venezuela while operations at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía are restored. It will also enable the continued transportation of rescue workers, medical personnel, emergency response teams and humanitarian aid to support rescue and relief efforts, in coordination with Avianca’s social impact partners, including the Colombian Red Cross, Ruta Animal, ABACO and the Colombian Civil Air Patrol. Avianca will operate two daily flights using Airbus A320 aircraft, with schedules similar to those of its Bogotá-Caracas route. The flights will help accommodate passengers with existing tickets while providing additional travel options for those who need to fly during the emergency. Bogotá-Valencia-Bogotá Flight Schedule Route FrequencyDeparture timeArrival timeBogotá-Valencia Daily 7:35 a.m.10:35 a.m.Valencia-Bogotá Daily 12:27 p.m.1:10 p.m.Bogotá-Valencia Daily 11:20 p.m.2:20 a.m. the following dayValencia-Bogotá Daily 4:17 a.m.5:00 a.m. “We continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Venezuela and everyone who needs to travel to or from the country. This daily service to Valencia builds on the efforts carried out in coordination with authorities, governments and social impact partners to transport rescue teams and humanitarian aid in support of the emergency response,” said Gabriel Oliva, Avianca’s president. Tickets are available at special fares to facilitate passenger travel and can be purchased through avianca.com, the Avianca mobile app, the Contact Center and travel agencies. Other Passenger Protection Measures Currently in Effect: To provide passengers with as many alternatives as possible, Avianca will maintain the travel protection measures announced for customers with tickets dated between June 24 and July 15, 2026. Eligible passengers may choose from the following options at no additional cost: Travel date change: Passengers may reschedule their flights for travel through Aug. 31, 2026, without change fees or fare differences, subject to availability. Route change: Passengers may travel to or from Valencia, Cúcuta or Riohacha at no additional cost, subject to availability. Changes must be arranged through Avianca’s Contact Center. Refund: Passengers may request a full refund for any unused flight segments. For tickets purchased through Avianca’s direct channels, avianca.com, the Contact Center or retail locations, refund requests may be submitted through those same channels. For tickets purchased through a travel agency, refund requests must be submitted directly through that agency. Avianca recommends that customers monitor the airline’s official communication channels and the email address associated with their reservation for further updates as the situation in Venezuela develops.

Unmanned Systems

Oregon to Host Aviation Delegation from South Korea to Advance International Collaboration and Innovation

The State of Oregon will host a high-level South Korean aviation delegation July 26–30, 2026, to explore investment, research, and commercial partnership opportunities across the aviation, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), and advanced air mobility (AAM) sectors. The delegation, approximately 25 government, industry, and research representatives from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT), the READ MORE
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 READ MORE

Aviation Education

Epic Flight Academy Trains Air Force Pilots

New Smyrna Beach, FL – Epic Flight Academy recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of U.S. Air Force pilots who completed Initial Pilot Training (IPT) at Epic’s New Smyrna Beach campus. Epic trained these officers under an Educational Service Agreement with the Air Force. Following the successful completion of the inaugural cohort in READ MORE
GAMA Announces 2026 Aviation Design Challenge Winners

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that the team from Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, is the first-place winner of the 2026 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge. The team from Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, is the second-place winner and the team from Greenville Technical Charter High School in Greenville, South READ MORE

Aero Club of Southern California to award Wahid Nawabi with the 47th Annual Howard Hughes Memorial Award

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Aero Club of Southern California has announced that it will honor Wahid Nawabi, Chairman, President, and CEO of AeroVironment, Inc. (AV), with the 47th annual Howard Hughes Memorial Award. The award will be given at a gala celebration on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the California Club in Los Angeles. The Howard Hughes Memorial […]

Ontario International Airport Passenger Volume Up 2.3% Through First Five Months of 2026

June 29, 2026 Kim Stevens

Passenger volume through Ontario International Airport (ONT) was on autopilot in May, growing by 0.4% while the traveler count rose 2.3% for the first five months of the year. Ontario welcomed 632,441 travelers in May, including 577,523 domestic passengers. The number of international fliers continued to surge, increasing by 41.5% to nearly 55,000. The Southern California gateway […]

High Flying Hangars Breaks Ground on Multi-acre Development at Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 Kim Stevens

Photo – Left to right: Richard Griffin, Andrew Moore, Peter Bremh, Michael O’Connor, Kenny Hinkes, Randy Sibold, Joe Roetering, Norm Long, Jodie Bollinger. (Photo: Stephen Yeates/High Flying Hangars) High Flying Hangars has celebrated the groundbreaking event at its development now in progress at the Frederick Municipal Airport in Maryland (KFDK). Frederick City Mayor Michael O’Connor; […]

GAMA Welcomes General Court Decision on EU Sustainable Finance Taxonomy

June 29, 2026June 29, 2026 Kim Stevens

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcomes today’s judgment of the General Court of the European Union annulling the exclusion of aircraft intended for private or commercial business aviation from the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. The judgment is an important recognition that sustainable-finance policy must be based on legally sound, technology-neutral and equitable criteria. […]

Epic Flight Academy Trains Air Force Pilots

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

New Smyrna Beach, FL – Epic Flight Academy recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of U.S. Air Force pilots who completed Initial Pilot Training (IPT) at Epic’s New Smyrna Beach campus. Epic trained these officers under an Educational Service Agreement with the Air Force. Following the successful completion of the inaugural cohort in […]

Avianca Adds Temporary Flights Between Bogotá and Valencia, Venezuela

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

As part of its efforts to support travel for those affected by the emergency in Venezuela, including their friends, relatives and rescue organizations, Avianca has temporarily opened bookings for flights between Bogotá and Valencia. The flights will initially operate through July 10 and are available at special fares. Service may be extended depending on how […]

Airtask Group Introduces the Modern Tecnam P2012 Traveller to Elevate Regional Lifeline Services

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

Tecnam and Airtask Group have announced the successful introduction of the Tecnam P2012 Traveller (registration G-CMCY) onto the Stornoway to Benbecula Public Service Obligation (PSO) route. Leased to Airtask Group, the aircraft officially entered active service in April 2026, marking a new era of reliability and enhanced passenger experience for the Scottish communities relying on […]

General Aviation Is Vital to Enhancing Europe’s Competitiveness and Innovation

June 28, 2026June 28, 2026 Kim Stevens

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently submitted recommendations to the European Commission for the development of a new EU Aviation Strategy, emphasizing the central role general and business aviation plays in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, driving innovation and meeting sustainability goals. “As the European Commission works to advance a renewed Aviation Strategy, it will be […]

One of the greatest pilots of my youth is about to take flight! Fox McCloud!

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026 Andrew Stevens

As you know, I love my retro aviation games. Anything that was related to aviation and flight was a must play for me growing up and this was absolutely the case with one of my all-time favorite Super Nintendo games, Star Fox! I still own a complete in box (CIB) copy of the SNES version […]

GAMA Announces 2026 Aviation Design Challenge Winners

June 22, 2026June 22, 2026 Kim Stevens

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that the team from Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia, is the first-place winner of the 2026 GAMA Aviation Design Challenge. The team from Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Arizona, is the second-place winner and the team from Greenville Technical Charter High School in Greenville, South […]

One of the greatest pilots of my youth is about to take flight! Fox McCloud!

Dassault’s Falcon 10X Makes Maiden Flight

VC-25B Bridge Aircraft Arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Begins Commissioning Flights

Adacel to Deliver REVAL Remote Tower System for Labasa Airport in Fiji