State Aviation Journal – Your Best Source of State Aviation News

Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Livery Aircraft Featuring “Aloha All Around the World”
Hawaiian Airlines recently unveiled a special aircraft livery celebrating its membership in the oneworld® alliance with a design that honors ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, with the phrase “Aloha a puni ka honua,” or “Aloha all around the world.” Hawaiian’s widebody Airbus A330 carrying the oneworld mark will continue to feature the airline’s iconic Pualani […]
CubCrafters Introduces the New Carbon Cub ULT
CubCrafters has announced the new Carbon Cub ULT, an innovative turboprop-powered evolution of the company’s popular Carbon Cub UL platform. Designed to combine the simplicity and efficiency of modern sport aviation with the smooth power and reliability of turbine technology, the Carbon Cub ULT represents a major step forward in lightweight backcountry aircraft design. The […]
GeoCue Welcomes Steel City Drones as New Distributor for TrueView and LP360 Solutions
GeoCue has announced Steel City Drones as a new distributor of GeoCue TrueView LiDAR systems and LP360 software. Founded in 2011, Steel City Drones has spent the last 15 years serving customers across the drone industry, including public safety, construction, surveying, energy and utilities, agriculture and inspection markets. The company supports customers throughout the continental […]
The Star Fox Co-Op Experience on Nintendo Switch 2 is Amazing
As you know from my recent article, I was highly anticipating the release of the new Star Fox game on Nintendo Switch 2. This is a series I’ve loved since the very beginning on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and it’s so great to have another entry into the series arrive on the Switch […]

State News

Oregon Department of Aviation Releases New Drone Training and Testing Template for Oregon Public Agencies

The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has released a new training and testing companion to its public agency drone policy template, giving Oregon public bodies a clearer path for training, evaluating, and documenting the people who fly drones for public work. The earlier ODAV template helped agencies answer an important question: What rules should guide public agency drone use? This new document answers the next question: How do we know the people using those drones are trained, tested, and ready for the mission? The new template adds detailed training standards, practical evaluation tools, test-bank questions, pilot qualification checklists, recurrent training guidance, and more in-depth content for public safety missions. It also includes expanded sections for Drone as First Responder, fire and EMS support, search and rescue, emergency management, law enforcement support, mutual aid, remote operations, and FAA-authorized advanced operations such as BVLOS. “This is the next step in building safe and accountable public agency drone programs in Oregon,” said Kenji Sugahara, Director of the Oregon Department of Aviation. “A policy tells an agency what the rules are. Training and testing show whether people can actually apply those rules in the field. That matters when drones are being used near roads, bridges, neighborhoods, emergency scenes, firefighters, patients, helicopters, or disaster areas.” For Oregonians, the benefit is practical. Drones can help public agencies inspect damaged bridges, check flooded roads, find missing people, assess wildfire or storm damage, support firefighters, and keep workers out of dangerous places. But the public should also know that agency pilots are not just handed a drone and sent into the air. They should be trained, tested, supervised, and held to clear standards. The new template helps agencies build that kind of program. It includes written test questions, practical flight evaluation standards, emergency drills, airspace deconfliction exercises, privacy and data-handling training, public records training, maintenance requirements, and checklists for deciding when a drone should not launch. It also makes clear that public safety and law enforcement uses require additional review, legal authority, and mission-specific training. “This is about protecting the public, the pilots, the responders, and the airspace,” Sugahara said. “A drone can be a valuable public tool, but only when it is used by trained people under clear limits. Oregon agencies need a way to prove readiness before a real emergency, not after something goes wrong.” The document is intended to be customized by cities, counties, state agencies, special districts, fire departments, emergency managers, transportation agencies, public works teams, and other Oregon public bodies. ODAV encourages agencies to review the template with legal counsel, records staff, information technology staff, risk managers, public safety leaders, and community stakeholders before adoption. The template does not create new authority to fly drones, conduct law enforcement operations, or operate beyond FAA limits. Instead, it gives Oregon public agencies a practical framework for building responsible drone programs that are safer, better documented, and easier for the public to understand. The template is available HERE.
Hawai‘i Airports Demonstrate Strong Carbon Management and Progress Toward 2045 Net Zero Emissions Target

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced that its five largest airports have reached Level 3 under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. This milestone reinforces the department’s commitment to sustainability in aviation across the state. Level 3 accreditation recognizes airports worldwide that have successfully mapped airport-wide carbon emissions, established a net-zero target, reduced emissions below a three-year rolling average and actively engaged with operational partners to tackle third-party emissions. The accredited hubs include Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Kahului Airport (OGG), Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keāhole (KOA), Līhuʻe Airport (LIH) and Hilo International Airport (ITO). “We are working together with our federal, state and private-sector partners to build a resilient future for Hawaiʻi aviation,” said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen. “This milestone demonstrates that we stand by our words. By steadily expanding our clean transportation infrastructure, we are not only increasing the energy security of our airports, but also empowering our operational partners to do the same.” The Airport Carbon Accreditation program, owned and governed by Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), is the global standard for carbon management in the airport industry. By achieving this milestone, the department demonstrates its commitment to net-zero carbon, reporting annual progress and investing in low-emissions strategies, including: Targeting Net-Zero: Establishing a goal to reduce airport-controlled carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve net-zero airport-controlled emissions by 2045. This aligns with Hawaii Revised Statutes §225P-5: Zero Emissions Clean Economy Target (2018, 2022). Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborating with airlines, concessionaires and many others on their plans and identifying opportunities for support. Expanded Inventory: Mapping emissions for both airport-controlled and non-airport-controlled sources, including aircraft operations and ground transportation. Actionable Roadmap: The department’s Energy Security and Waste Reduction Plan (2025) prioritized strategies for clean transportation based on ease of implementation. Vehicle Electrification: Transitioning from fossil fuel-powered vehicles to zero-emission alternatives. Looking forward, HDOT acknowledges that achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 relies on funding and leadership at both the state and federal levels to implement key infrastructure projects. HDOT appreciates the strong collective effort toward third-party emissions reduction shown by airport tenants, airlines and stakeholders.

National News

National Aeronautic Association Names Kathryn Hughes as Recipient of the 2026 Stinson Award

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced that Col. (Ret.) Kathryn Hughes, MD, MPH, DAvMed, USAF, has been named the recipient of the NAA Stinson Award. Kathryn Hughes The Stinson Award honors the legacy of sisters Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, pioneering aviators of the early 20th century. Among the first women to earn pilot’s licenses, they founded the Stinson School of Flying and made significant contributions to early aviation, exhibition flying, and military flight training. The NAA Stinson Award recognizes a living U.S. citizen, group, or organization that has made a lasting impact on advancing women in aerospace through mentorship, advocacy, or pioneering efforts that have expanded opportunities for women in the field. “It takes immense tenacity to be a pioneer, and it takes a rare, fearless individuality to forge a path entirely your own,” said Amy Marino Spowart, President and CEO, NAA. “Kathy has never been afraid to step away from the crowd and do what others simply wouldn’t. She reflects the very essence of the Stinson sisters’ daring spirit and excellence. From the flight deck to her clinic, Kathy shines brightly on her own terms, and her true gift is empowering other women to find the confidence to do the exact same.” Dr. Hughes attended the United States Air Force Academy and, during her 26 years in service, logged over 3,000 military flying hours in multiple aircraft, including the T-38, RC-135, A-10, and Royal Air Force Hawk. While still serving as a pilot, she completed medical school and became the first female Pilot-Physician in the U.S. Air Force. She specialized in acceleration protection and life support equipment testing and evaluation. Her combined aviation and medical expertise enables her to advance human factors research, human systems integration, and enhanced pilot safety. After retiring from the military in 2016, Dr. Hughes has worked as a physician specializing in occupational and aviation medicine and is an FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. She is a consultant for Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, the leading manufacturer of ejection and crashworthy seats that have saved over 7,800 lives worldwide. She serves in leadership roles in the Aerospace Medical Association and its Foundation Board. She remains an active general aviation pilot, manages her local airport, and volunteers with numerous organizations, including the Ninety-Nines, mentoring fellow women aviators. “It is a profound honor to have been selected for the prestigious NAA Stinson Award. I have long admired the audacity of Katherine and Marjorie Stinson and what they dared to accomplish,” said Hughes. “Throughout my own career in aviation and aerospace medicine, my goal has been to turn my opportunities into open doors for others. This recognition strengthens my commitment to mentoring and advocating for the next generation of those who strive for careers in aerospace.” Details about the Stinson Award presentation will be announced soon. For more information about the award or to view previous recipients, please visit naa.aero.
AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016. The new curriculum, which is made possible by a donation from Gregory and Cindy Kozmetsky through their GCK Legacy Fund—a donor advised fund—will complement existing pilot, drone, and career preparation courses. The AOPA Foundation will also form an advisory board consisting of industry leaders and educators to ensure the curriculum will prepare students for a career in aviation maintenance and manufacturing while also working within the constraints of a typical high school environment. Like all other courses in its aviation STEM curriculum, the maintenance and manufacturing course will be offered at no cost to participating schools. “Like a lot of AOPA members, I’ve experienced the mechanic shortage firsthand,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl. “Between long waits at shops that are booked out for months and annual inspections that stretch on for weeks—not to mention the void that’s left when a trusted A&P retires—the mechanic shortage has a real impact on our members every day. Every student in this course represents dozens of aircraft that can keep flying. That’s why the addition of this maintenance and manufacturing curriculum isn’t just good for students—it’s good for our members who depend on a healthy maintenance workforce to keep flying.” In the 2025-2026 school year, the AOPA high school program served more than 32,000 students at more than 1,500 high schools—and, for the first time, it was taught in all 50 states, in addition to two U.S. territories. Since its inception, the AOPA curriculum has prepared a diverse group of students—half of whom are students of color, and almost 25 percent are female—for careers in aviation. The curriculum is STEM.org reviewed, and offered free to schools, districts, nonprofits, and homeschool co-ops. “We’re proud of the success the AOPA high school program has had,” said AOPA Foundation Programs Vice President Dan Justman. “We continue to see strong year-over-year growth—and we hear from graduates every day about how this program changed their lives and set them on the path toward successful careers in the aviation industry. With this new pathway, we can open that same door for students who want to build and maintain aircraft, and the industry is waiting for every one of them.” In its latest Pilot and Technician Outlook—which provides a 20-year forecast on the need for pilots, maintenance staff, and cabin crew—Boeing said that by 2044, 710,000 new aviation maintenance technicians will be needed to meet worldwide demand. “This curriculum is one more way that the AOPA Foundation is supporting and growing the entire aviation ecosystem,” said AOPA Foundation Senior Vice President Elizabeth Tennyson. “From supporting future aviators—and soon, mechanics—before graduation, to providing scholarships for them to become a pilot or mechanic, to helping them fly at lower cost through flying clubs and easing pilots back into flying if they ever step away for a bit, we have programs serving aviators at every stage.” Developing the curriculum is expected to take two to three years, with a field test as early as 2028. Prior to release, the AOPA Foundation will identify certifications and skills students need to enter the workforce, design hands-on learning experiences, and equip teachers with resources and training to deliver it effectively.

International News

FL Technics Indonesia Opens Aircraft Painting Facility in Bali and Welcomes First Customer

FL Technics Indonesia, the FAA Part-145 certified MRO provider, has opened a new aircraft painting facility at its Denpasar, Bali facility. The painting booth marks a significant expansion of the company’s full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Southeast Asia. On 30 June 2026, just days after the painting facility launched, FL Technics Indonesia welcomed its first customer, Skyway Airlines, a Philippine air cargo carrier operating Boeing 737-400F freighter aircraft. The project involved repainting the airline’s third aircraft, which was later ferried to Clark International Airport in the Philippines for its inaugural ceremony on 3 July 2026. “The addition of a dedicated painting booth in Bali is part of our commitment to building a truly full-service MRO capability in the region,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of FL Technics Indonesia. “We are pleased to welcome our valued customers, Skyway Airlines, as the first to utilize this facility. Several more painting projects have been secured over the next couple of months, and we also received significant further demand as more operators across Southeast Asia are looking for this capability.” The new painting facility adds to FL Technics Indonesia’s existing MRO capabilities across its dual-station network. Currently, the company’s two facilities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali hold more than 20 approvals from the civil aviation authority, supported by a team of more than 700 aviation experts. Built to the highest industry standards, the Bali painting booth is equipped to handle complex livery projects with precision, efficiency, and full regulatory compliance. The Bali facility’s location is particularly well-suited to serve carriers operating across Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian region, reducing the need for extended ferry flights or overseas maintenance programs. The launch of the painting booth comes at a time of growing demand for MRO services across Southeast Asia. Extended aircraft delivery backlogs have increased the strategic importance of lifecycle extension and fleet maintenance services, including livery repaints to support rebranding, wet-lease transitions, and return-to-service programs. For cargo operators, maintaining aircraft closer to base reduces operational downtime and associated ferry flight costs.
Zilvinas Lapinskas Appointed CEO of Avia Solutions Group to Lead the Next Phase of Global Expansion

Avia Solutions Group has appointed Zilvinas Lapinskas as Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase of global expansion, effective July 7. Zilvinas Lapinskas Lapinskas brings extensive international aviation experience and a proven track record of scaling operations in complex, highly regulated markets, to the role. As CEO of FL Technics Group, he transformed the business from a European MRO provider into a global operation serving Tier 1 carriers across multiple continents. He retains his seat on Avia Solutions Group’s Board of Directors. Jonas Janukenas, who has led the Group for almost 9 years, moves into the CFO role where he will deploy his financial expertise exclusively across capital allocation, financial strategy, and the Group’s long-term growth objectives. Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group, said: “I am honoured to lead Avia Solutions Group at such an important moment in its development. Over the past several years, the Group has built a strong foundation for sustainable growth, and I look forward to accelerating that momentum. My immediate priority is to work closely with our teams to strengthen our operational footprint and build the long-term partnerships that will underpin our success in this highly competitive market.” Jonas Janukenas, CFO of Avia Solutions Group, said: “Leading the Group has been an extraordinary privilege, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together. This is the right time for Zilvinas to take the helm. In my new role as CFO, I will focus on ensuring we maintain the financial discipline and strategic agility necessary to support our continued growth ambitions.” Gediminas Ziemelis, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Avia Solutions Group, said: “Our success has always been driven by placing the right leaders in the right roles at the right time. Zilvinas has a proven ability to build and scale aviation businesses globally, making him the right leader to guide our next phase of expansion while retaining Jonas as a key leader will mean we retain his understanding of the Group. This leadership structure will provide the right platform for our continued growth globally.”

Unmanned Systems

Oregon Department of Aviation Releases New Drone Training and Testing Template for Oregon Public Agencies

The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has released a new training and testing companion to its public agency drone policy template, giving Oregon public bodies a clearer path for training, evaluating, and documenting the people who fly drones for public work. The earlier ODAV template helped agencies answer an important question: What rules should guide READ MORE
GeoCue Welcomes Steel City Drones as New Distributor for TrueView and LP360 Solutions

GeoCue has announced Steel City Drones as a new distributor of GeoCue TrueView LiDAR systems and LP360 software. Founded in 2011, Steel City Drones has spent the last 15 years serving customers across the drone industry, including public safety, construction, surveying, energy and utilities, agriculture and inspection markets. The company supports customers throughout the continental READ MORE

Aviation Education

AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016. The new curriculum, which is made possible by a donation from Gregory READ MORE
Aims Aircraft Maintenance Student Receives $10,000 Centennial Airport Foundation Scholarship

Aims Community College Aircraft Maintenance student Kira Davis-Weber was honored with the prestigious $ 10,000 Centennial Airport Foundation Scholarship, showcasing her dedication and potential in aviation maintenance. The Centennial Airport Foundation awards annual scholarships to students pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, the quality of their application and READ MORE

FL Technics Indonesia Opens Aircraft Painting Facility in Bali and Welcomes First Customer

July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

FL Technics Indonesia, the FAA Part-145 certified MRO provider, has opened a new aircraft painting facility at its Denpasar, Bali facility. The painting booth marks a significant expansion of the company’s full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Southeast Asia. On 30 June 2026, just days after the painting facility launched, FL Technics Indonesia […]

Zilvinas Lapinskas Appointed CEO of Avia Solutions Group to Lead the Next Phase of Global Expansion

July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

Avia Solutions Group has appointed Zilvinas Lapinskas as Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase of global expansion, effective July 7. Lapinskas brings extensive international aviation experience and a proven track record of scaling operations in complex, highly regulated markets, to the role. As CEO of FL Technics Group, he transformed the business from […]

Oregon Department of Aviation Releases New Drone Training and Testing Template for Oregon Public Agencies

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has released a new training and testing companion to its public agency drone policy template, giving Oregon public bodies a clearer path for training, evaluating, and documenting the people who fly drones for public work. The earlier ODAV template helped agencies answer an important question: What rules should guide […]

National Aeronautic Association Names Kathryn Hughes as Recipient of the 2026 Stinson Award

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced that Col. (Ret.) Kathryn Hughes, MD, MPH, DAvMed, USAF, has been named the recipient of the NAA Stinson Award. The Stinson Award honors the legacy of sisters Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, pioneering aviators of the early 20th century. Among the first women to earn pilot’s licenses, they founded […]

Hawai‘i Airports Demonstrate Strong Carbon Management and Progress Toward 2045 Net Zero Emissions Target

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced that its five largest airports have reached Level 3 under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. This milestone reinforces the department’s commitment to sustainability in aviation across the state. Level 3 accreditation recognizes airports worldwide that have successfully mapped airport-wide carbon emissions, established a net-zero target, reduced emissions […]

AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016. The new curriculum, which is made possible by a donation from Gregory […]

AOPA Foundation Celebrates Helping 15,000 Rusty Pilots Return to Flying

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) celebrates helping 15,000 aviators, who have completed its Rusty Pilots course and returned to flying. AOPA Foundation Rusty Pilots is offered at in-person seminars, live webinars, and self-paced online courses. Each format offers updates to returning pilots on modern regulations and practices, including medical reform, FAA regulations, airspace […]

Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Livery Aircraft Featuring “Aloha All Around the World”

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

Hawaiian Airlines recently unveiled a special aircraft livery celebrating its membership in the oneworld® alliance with a design that honors ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, with the phrase “Aloha a puni ka honua,” or “Aloha all around the world.” Hawaiian’s widebody Airbus A330 carrying the oneworld mark will continue to feature the airline’s iconic Pualani […]

Air Charter Safety Foundation Welcomes Kelly Sawyer as Executive Operations Coordinator

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) has announced the appointment of Kelly Sawyer as Executive Operations Coordinator. Sawyer brings more than 17 years of executive operations and administrative leadership experience, supporting senior executives across nonprofit, aviation, legal, and healthcare organizations. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for managing complex initiatives, strengthening organizational operations, […]

Vintage in Review Highlights Antique and Classic Aircraft at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Vintage in Review showcase is returning to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026, featuring unique and iconic aircraft that were built and flown during the first half-century of aviation. The showcase will take place July 20-24 at the Interview Circle just east of the Vintage Red Barn. “Vintage in Review gives a wonderful opportunity to […]

Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Livery Aircraft Featuring “Aloha All Around the World”

CubCrafters Introduces the New Carbon Cub ULT

GeoCue Welcomes Steel City Drones as New Distributor for TrueView and LP360 Solutions

The Star Fox Co-Op Experience on Nintendo Switch 2 is Amazing