State Aviation Journal - Your Best Source of State Aviation News

Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic Partner to Advance Ultra Short Operations in New York City
Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Aviation, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assess infrastructure opportunities that could bring Ultra Short aircraft operations closer to where people live and work. The two companies will explore how different forms of infrastructure, like barges, piers, or elevated surfaces, could unlock Ultra […]
El Niño 2026–27: Why Humanitarian Airlift Planning Must Start Before the Weather Turns
One of the strongest El Niño events on record could peak towards the end of 2026. Cam Bolton-Wilson, Vice President of Government & Humanitarian – Americas at Chapman Freeborn, explains how severe weather disrupts humanitarian supply routes, what can be planned in advance and why aviation decisions made only after a crisis begins may already […]
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: Perfect Campaign, Phenomenal Soundtrack, Endless Reasons to Keep Flying
By Andrew Stevens – Taking flight in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. Last month, I picked up the Deluxe Edition so I could play the campaign early, and I’m so glad I did, because it’s been hard to put down. Let’s take off! I’ve always been interested in the series, but I never got […]
Ponca City Breaks Ground on $14.3 Million Regional Airport
State and local leaders joined the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and the City of Ponca City to break ground on a new $14.3 million terminal at Ponca City Regional Airport, marking a significant investment in aviation infrastructure and economic development in north-central Oklahoma. The new 14,000-square-foot terminal will provide modern accommodation for […]

State News

NCDOT Announces Second Round of Advanced Air Mobility Planning Program Awards

The N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation announced the second round of funding recipients through the department’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Planning Program. The following four Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Regional Planning Organizations (RPO) have been awarded a total of $801,000 in funding to educate and help develop long-term AAM transportation planning efforts in North Carolina communities: French Broad River MPO Northwest Piedmont RPO Southwestern RPO (in partnership with Foothills RPO and Land of Sky RPO) Wilmington Urban Area MPO AAM is an emerging sector within the aviation industry, improving multimodal connections, expanding mobility options and enhancing the movement of people and goods. Examples of potential AAM usage include transporting medical supplies during disaster response, inspecting infrastructure, delivering cargo, future air taxis and much more. “It is important that we are able to support our local communities as we continue advancing in our eLIFT-NC program,” said NCDOT Division of Aviation Director Nick Short. “The funding allows planning organizations to lay the groundwork for implementing this technology and maximize the potential benefits for North Carolina.” On the statewide level, NCDOT’s Electric Logistics & Integrated Flight Testing, or eLIFT-NC, recently completed the first series of flights for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) AAM program. The program aims to safely accelerate the integration of AAM while exploring how next-generation aircraft can help connect rural communities to healthcare.
FDOT and Orlando International Airport Celebrate Air Taxi Landing at Nation’s First Vertipad at a Commercial Airport

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Joby Aviation successfully completed the state’s second “flying car” test flight as part of Florida’s Future of Flight Series. Following Florida’s first flight in this series that recreated the world’s first commercial airline flight in 1914 with next-generation Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, today’s flight on the campus of Orlando International Airport showcased another first for the state as part of this series: the first use of MCO’s dedicated Vertipad, which is a specialized takeoff and landing area for AAM aircraft and the first in the nation which is on-site at a commercial airport. With the completion of this demonstration, Florida is achieving yet another milestone in the state’s efforts to launch commercial AAM services to the state with the use of ready-built infrastructure. “Today’s flight showcases Florida’s nation-leading commitment to building the infrastructure and resources needed for the future of flying cars in our state,” said Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E. “We are paving the way for Florida’s Aerial Highway Network and showing how strategic investments in infrastructure can support the safe integration of emerging aircraft into our transportation system. This vision has been years in the making, and today, we are bringing it to life.” “Today’s demonstration reflects our commitment to preparing MCO for the future of aviation while keeping safety, collaboration, and the customer experience at the center of every step,” said Lance Lyttle, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA). “Orlando International now has the nation’s first eVTOL landing site at a major U.S. airport, and it didn’t happen overnight” said Greg Bowles, Joby’s Chief Policy Officer. “FDOT, GOAA, the FAA and Orlando’s controllers spent two years proving in a simulator that an air taxi could fly into Class B airspace while the airport kept running. Today we demonstrated how quiet, electric, vertical lift aircraft can integrate into existing airspace and how they will change how people move through a region like this one, from the gate to the parks in minutes instead of an hour on the highway.” Today’s demonstration flight is one of many flights included in Florida’s Future of Flight Series, which have been launching across the state throughout late October and early November. As part of Florida’s participation in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), this flight series will offer key insight to the FAA as they develop the regulations, infrastructure, and operating procedures that are necessary to safely deploy flying cars for commercial use. With the successful takeoff and landing of AAM aircraft at MCO’s dedicated Vertipad, Florida is demonstrating how this technology will operate in real-world conditions. As one of the state’s primary corridors for the initial deployment of AAM, the development of ready-built infrastructure in the Orlando metro area, like this Vertipad, is key to support Florida’s earliest commercial AAM flights along the Interstate 4 (I-4) corridor. Thanks to the collaboration and strategic action taken by the state’s most critical AAM partners to build this infrastructure, such as airports like MCO, Florida is continuing to serve as a national leader in this industry due to proven follow-through on building the backbone infrastructure to support AAM operations. Alongside Joby Aviation, which piloted today’s flight demonstration with their aircraft, Florida’s eIPP is also supported by a robust portfolio of partners, including top Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), academia partners, local municipalities, and airports around the state. Through the eIPP, as well as active testing underway at FDOT’s SunTrax test facility, Florida will collect data in key focus areas, such as noise, airspace integration, and more that will help guide important decisions about this new mode of transportation at the national level.

National News

EAA to Welcome Top Collegiate Aviators to Oshkosh for NIFA National Competition

The National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) SAFECON flight competition is returning to Oshkosh on May 6-15, 2027, with the premier collegiate flight competition highlighting over 500 competitors from more than 30 schools. Young pilots from across the country will compete for awards in a variety of aviation skills including landing, navigation, preflight, flight planning, crew-based simulations, safety, sportsmanship and more. The entirety of the competition will be hosted on the EAA grounds, utilizing both the convention grounds and the museum including the EAA Education Center. All ground, spot landing, and flying events will be based at Wittman Regional Airport except for the cross country competition, which will start in Oshkosh and briefly leave the area. While the SAFECON activities are not organized spectator events, the event will make Wittman Regional Airport a very active place beginning with sanctioned practice activities on May 6 and competition on May 10. “This competition brings together the nation’s top collegiate pilots to showcase their flying skills,” said Ren Scott, EAA’s vice president of business development, sales, and events. “It’s especially exciting to have these young aviators return to the community in 2027, as we celebrate the centennial of Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight and the 100th anniversary of Wittman Regional Airport here in Oshkosh.” The airport, the annual home of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh fly-in, is well-suited for hosting the national collegiate competition. The facility was founded in 1927 as the Oshkosh municipal airport and was acquired by Winnebago County in 1940. The airport was renamed in honor of National Aviation Hall of Fame member Steve Wittman in 1970, the same year the EAA fly-in convention came to the facility. “Wittman’s airfield configuration and our experience with large events makes us a great venue for SAFECON,” said Jim Schell, Wittman Regional Airport Director. “Hosting the nation’s top collegiate aviators for the third time in 2027 is a fantastic addition to our yearlong centennial celebration of this airport, which is a tremendous asset within our community’s transportation infrastructure.” Thanks to the establishment of NIFA, these SAFECON competitions have made their way from being held exclusively at Ivy League schools in the 1920s and early ‘30s, to making its first appearance the EAA grounds in Oshkosh in 2023 and again in 2025. Teams arrive a few days prior to the competition, bringing economic impact to Oshkosh and the surrounding area. “Bringing SAFECON to Oshkosh in 2027 is always a little like a homecoming for many of our competitors, as dozens of them are EAA members, previously attended AirVenture, or got their start in aviation through an EAA Young Eagles flight,” said Andrew Ross, NIFA Executive Director. “The passion for aviation among these future aviation leaders is evident during the competitions in the air or the classroom.”
Epic Flight Academy Awards $135,000 in Scholarships to 16 Students

Epic Flight Academy has announced its 2026 Aviation Scholarship Award winners, awarding a total of $135,000 in scholarships to 16 high school students. Epic awarded both pilot and aircraft mechanic scholarships across campuses. King Air Nation Foundation also contributed a $5,000 pilot scholarship. Epic student and staff advocate Phyllis Cunniffe organized the team of judges and said, “The judges were impressed with the quality of submissions, which came from 20 states. More than 100 students applied, so the team put in a lot of work, which we appreciate.” Epic awards one scholarship in memory of Captain Judy Rice, a former Epic flight instructor who taught private pilot ground school. This scholarship is for flight training in the amount of $20,000. Mateo Latorre of Georgia received this award. “Epic students adored ‘Captain Judy’, as they called her,” said Cunniffe. “She generously shared her time and knowledge even after classes ended, and she inspired so many. We love giving this scholarship in her memory.” In addition to the scholarships, winners receive a plaque and a copy of Captain Rice’s memoir: Around the World with Captain Judy Rice: A Pilot’s Memoir. They will begin training at Epic in 2027. The following students won scholarships: Student Scholarship Awarded – Training Location Hometown Andrew Borgert $5,000 Pilot – Tucson, AZ Henderson, NV Brayden Hayes $5,000 Pilot – Addison, TX Arlington, TX Caden McIntosh $10,000 Aircraft Mechanic – New Smyrna Beach, FL Loxahatchee, FL Christian Manaro $5,000 Pilot – Danbury, CT Woodbridge, VA Christopher Clarke $5,000 Pilot – Ocala, FL Roslyn, NY Jayanne Fejeran $20,000 Aircraft Mechanic – Erlanger, KY Erlanger, KY Kole Legrand $20,000 Aircraft Mechanic – New Smyrna Beach Orlando, FL Mason Mitchell $5,000 King Air Nation Foundation – Provo, UT Murray, UT Mateo Latorre $20,000 Captain Judy Rice Pilot – New Smyrna Beach Acworth, GA Matthew Hanley $5,000 Pilot – Provo, UT Park City, UT Nate Williams $10,000 Aircraft Mechanic – Erlanger, KY Vevay, IN Nathan Mosquera $5,000 Pilot – Tallahassee, FL Wellington, FL Quincy Schneider $5,000 Pilot – Jacksonville, FL Winesburg, OH Rachit Anand $5,000 Pilot – Tuscaloosa, AL Cumming, GA Taj Hester $5,000 Pilot – Englewood, CO Aurora, CO Tristan Williams $5,000 Pilot – New Smyrna Beach, FL Coconut Creek, FL Epic Flight Academy was founded in 1999. It is the largest FAA Part 141 flight school in the U.S. and also offers Part 147 aircraft mechanic training in Florida and Kentucky. Epic has trained pilots from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. In 2027, Epic will continue its scholarship awards for all campus.

International News

Aviation Associations, NBAA, Salute the Visionary Leadership and Service of CEO Ed Bolen

Photo – Ed Bolen with aviation association leaders during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2013. SAJ photo by Kim Stevens. – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), along with a number of national aviation associations including NASAO, GAMA, NATA, AOPA and EAA, hailed the pioneering legacy of Ed Bolen, an industry trailblazer who is retiring after nearly a quarter century as NBAA’s president and CEO. A tireless and singularly effective advocate for business aviation since joining NBAA in 2004, Bolen has been one of the industry’s most inspiring champions for more than 40 years, leading on key priorities including safety, airport and airspace access, workforce development and air traffic control modernization. 2019 Photo of Ed Bolen with Peggy Chabrian (WAI) during AirVenture Oshkosh. SAJ Photo by Kim Stevens. “It is the privilege of a lifetime to have served NBAA and the aviation community. I am incredibly proud of everything NBAA is, and of what we have accomplished together over the years,” Bolen said. “I regret having to step down because of my health, and I have been touched by the outpouring of your support. Business aviation is at its best when we come together, and I have never been more confident in NBAA’s brilliant future.” Today’s announcement follows the recent news that Bolen was taking medical leave for cancer treatment. “The nation’s state aviation leaders salute Ed Bolen as he announces his retirement from the NBAA,” said Greg Pecoraro, President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). “Ed’s career as a leader in the aviation industry is unsurpassed. Throughout his time on Capitol Hill, at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and now at NBAA, he has provided thoughtful, dedicated, and passionate leadership to the industry. In recent years, Ed has been aviation’s preeminent spokesman and exemplified the best of our industry. We thank him for his service, his friendship to NASAO and state aviation agencies, and wish him the best.” Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), said, “Ed Bolen’s impact and influence on the aviation community can be measured in so many ways, yet is immeasurable in so many others. Ed has championed important causes that have advanced aviation, from safety, airport and airspace access to air traffic control modernization. He has also been a leader in seeking consensus within the aviation community on key issues. I am proud to call Ed an esteemed colleague as well as a friend and we are keeping him in our thoughts as he steps into retirement.” The NBAA Board of Directors affirmed Dan Hubbard will continue overseeing day-to-day operations and named Hubbard Acting CEO and SVP, Communications. The Board also announced that a special executive search committee will begin a search for a new CEO. The committee will be chaired by Matt Byrd, vice chair of NBAA’s Board and president and CEO of Hillwood Aviation. “Business aviation is an immeasurably stronger, safer, more dynamic industry because of Ed’s unwavering commitment,” said John Witzig, chair of NBAA’s Board of Directors. “We have all soared higher and gone farther, driven by the power of his vision.” 2013 photo of Ed Bolen with Stacy Howard and Bob Quinn at EAA AirVenture. SAJ photo by Kim Stevens. General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) president and CEO, James Viola, noted that, “for decades, Ed Bolen has been a champion and stalwart for the general and business aviation industry. His dedication for the welfare and growth of the industry is truly remarkable. GAMA is forever grateful for Ed’s leadership at both NBAA and GAMA; he always stressed the importance of working together for the betterment of the industry. On behalf of GAMA and its membership, we thank Ed for his service, passion and devotion to our industry and wish him nothing but the best during this difficult time.” A private pilot and native Kansan, Bolen was introduced to flying by his father, who served on the board of the Salina Regional Airport in Kansas. Bolen’s groundbreaking work as a general aviation champion traces to his days as a Senate legislative aide for Kansas Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, in the 1990s. He played a central role in passing the historic General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. The legislation revived American aircraft manufacturing and preserved thousands of jobs. Bolen later advised presidents of both parties, working across party lines to bring people together to get things done. He was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the Senate to serve as a member of the Management Advisory Council to the Federal Aviation Administration, which he chaired from 2000 to 2004. In 2001, Bolen was appointed by President Bush to serve as a member of the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. Bolen is also a former chair of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics. Ed Bolen In 2021, he was inducted as a Living Legend into the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame, in recognition of his decades of contributions to the aviation and aerospace industry. This year, he will be honored by his home state and inducted into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. “The aviation community cannot thank Ed Bolen enough for his service and leadership,” said Elizabeth Dornak, NBAA’s Board of Directors chair emeritus. “His service to aviation is unmatched over a sterling career, and so many of us are fortunate to count him as a partner and a friend.” The search for Bolen’s replacement will move forward as NBAA continues its advocacy work and rolls out a strong lineup of early 2027 events.
Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic Partner to Advance Ultra Short Operations in New York City

Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Aviation, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assess infrastructure opportunities that could bring Ultra Short aircraft operations closer to where people live and work. The two companies will explore how different forms of infrastructure, like barges, piers, or elevated surfaces, could unlock Ultra Short operations at new and existing VertiPorts by Atlantic sites in New York City. This marks the first step in a broader collaboration to identify opportunities for Ultra Short access points across multiple regions. The initiative comes on the heels of Electra’s successful demonstration at Downtown Skyport [video] in Lower Manhattan, marking what is believed to be the first time a fixed-wing aircraft without vertical takeoff capability has landed at the heliport. Electra is advancing Direct Aviation, a new model of point-to-point regional travel that complements the existing hub-and-spoke system with distributed access points closer to where journeys begin and end. Electra’s inaugural Direct Aviation Market Outlook, a nationwide analysis of nearly one billion trips, identified 35 million passenger trips each day across distances of 50 to 500 miles. The outlook estimates potential time savings of approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes from New York City to Boston, 3 hours and 30 minutes to Washington, D.C., and 45 minutes to Philadelphia. “The demand already exists for regional travel that is faster and more convenient, and Direct Aviation is about meeting that demand,” said Diana Siegel, Vice President, Commercial Programs at Electra. “By assessing how new and existing VertiPorts by Atlantic sites could accommodate the EL9 Ultra Short, we are taking a step toward connecting New York City with communities across the region and showing what Direct Aviation has to offer.” “Electra’s ability to operate from dramatically smaller footprints presents exciting opportunities to reimagine how regional air transportation connects with urban environments,” said Kevin Cox, CEO of VertiPorts by Atlantic. “Together, we’re assessing how existing and emerging infrastructure can support a new generation of aircraft and provide travelers with faster, more convenient connections throughout the Northeast and beyond.” Unlocking Direct Aviation Electra is building the aircraft and ecosystem needed to move Direct Aviation from concept to reality at commercial scale. Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short is a nine-passenger hybrid-electric aircraft designed to take off and land in as little as 150 feet. The EL9 does this while meeting the Rule of Six, or the essential requirements needed to make Advanced Air Mobility practical at scale: quiet operations, expanded access, uncompromising safety, meaningful payload, practical range, and affordability. By delivering helicopter-like access with the safety benefits of fixed-wing flight, Electra is making regional air travel safer, quieter, and more accessible to people and communities. Electra’s Direct Aviation Market Outlook projects that this new category of regional air service could carry one million passengers per day within its first decade of operations. Serving that demand will require an estimated 12,000 to 16,000 aircraft, supported by distributed access points, regional operators, regulatory frameworks, and a scaled aviation supply chain. Electra recently selected Springfield, Ohio, as the site of its first EL9 production facility. The planned $850 million development is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs and ultimately support production of up to 800 aircraft annually, providing the industrial foundation to bring Direct Aviation to communities across the United States and beyond.

Unmanned Systems

University of North Dakota Joins Northern Plains UAS Test Site in Signing Agreement to Advance Counter-Drone Technologies

The University of North Dakota and Northern Plains Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site (NPUASTS) were part of a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony on Oct. 14, joining forces with the U.S. Department of War’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401). UND President Andrew Armacost (left), U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (center) and Col. Jason Idleman display READ MORE
MassDOT Aeronautics Division Receives 2026 Aerial Achievement Award for Program Excellence

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) announced that the MassDOT Aeronautics Division has been selected to receive the 2026 Aerial Achievement Award for Program Excellence, recognizing its innovative use of uncrewed aircraft systems to support the management and preservation of public infrastructure. The Aerial Achievement Awards are presented annually by drone manufacturer Skydio, Inc. to READ MORE

Aviation Education

Epic Flight Academy Awards $135,000 in Scholarships to 16 Students

Epic Flight Academy has announced its 2026 Aviation Scholarship Award winners, awarding a total of $135,000 in scholarships to 16 high school students. Epic awarded both pilot and aircraft mechanic scholarships across campuses. King Air Nation Foundation also contributed a $5,000 pilot scholarship. Epic student and staff advocate Phyllis Cunniffe organized the team of judges READ MORE
Young Artists Invited to Soar in 2027 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest

The N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation is accepting applicants for the 2027 Aviation Art Contest, an annual competition that encourages North Carolina youth to present their creativity. The competition, hosted on the statewide level by the NCDOT Division of Aviation, follows an aviation theme each year, giving students the chance to engage in READ MORE

Aviation Associations, NBAA, Salute the Visionary Leadership and Service of CEO Ed Bolen

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

Photo – Ed Bolen with aviation association leaders during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2013. SAJ photo by Kim Stevens. – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), along with a number of national aviation associations including NASAO, GAMA, NATA, AOPA and EAA, hailed the pioneering legacy of Ed Bolen, an industry trailblazer who is retiring after […]

NCDOT Announces Second Round of Advanced Air Mobility Planning Program Awards

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

The N.C. Department of Transportation Division of Aviation announced the second round of funding recipients through the department’s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Planning Program. The following four Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and Regional Planning Organizations (RPO) have been awarded a total of $801,000 in funding to educate and help develop long-term AAM transportation planning efforts […]

FDOT and Orlando International Airport Celebrate Air Taxi Landing at Nation’s First Vertipad at a Commercial Airport

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Joby Aviation successfully completed the state’s second “flying car” test flight as part of Florida’s Future of Flight Series. Following Florida’s first flight in this series that recreated the world’s first commercial airline flight in 1914 with next-generation Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, today’s […]

FAA Begins Retiring Decades Old Floppy Disks from Air Traffic Control

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is continuing its historic modernization of America’s air traffic control system by replacing outdated floppy disks that contain vital weather and other critical information with a streamlined, 21st-century system. The Enterprise – Information Display System (E-IDS) replaces four systems dating back to the […]

Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic Partner to Advance Ultra Short Operations in New York City

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic, a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlantic Aviation, announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assess infrastructure opportunities that could bring Ultra Short aircraft operations closer to where people live and work. The two companies will explore how different forms of infrastructure, like barges, piers, or elevated surfaces, could unlock Ultra […]

EAA to Welcome Top Collegiate Aviators to Oshkosh for NIFA National Competition

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

The National Intercollegiate Flight Association (NIFA) SAFECON flight competition is returning to Oshkosh on May 6-15, 2027, with the premier collegiate flight competition highlighting over 500 competitors from more than 30 schools. Young pilots from across the country will compete for awards in a variety of aviation skills including landing, navigation, preflight, flight planning, crew-based […]

El Niño 2026–27: Why Humanitarian Airlift Planning Must Start Before the Weather Turns

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

One of the strongest El Niño events on record could peak towards the end of 2026. Cam Bolton-Wilson, Vice President of Government & Humanitarian – Americas at Chapman Freeborn, explains how severe weather disrupts humanitarian supply routes, what can be planned in advance and why aviation decisions made only after a crisis begins may already […]

ALDOT Awards Over $12 Million for Airport Grants

November 9, 2026November 9, 2026 Kim Stevens

ALDOT has awarded $12,099,563 in state grants through the Alabama Airport Improvement Funding Program. The projects receiving funding total $73,071,980, including $53,635,243 in federal funding and $7,337,174 in airport contributions. These funds will support improvement projects at public-use airports across the state. The Alabama Department of Transportation’s funding combines state investment with airport contributions and […]

Epic Flight Academy Awards $135,000 in Scholarships to 16 Students

November 8, 2026November 8, 2026 Kim Stevens

Epic Flight Academy has announced its 2026 Aviation Scholarship Award winners, awarding a total of $135,000 in scholarships to 16 high school students. Epic awarded both pilot and aircraft mechanic scholarships across campuses. King Air Nation Foundation also contributed a $5,000 pilot scholarship. Epic student and staff advocate Phyllis Cunniffe organized the team of judges […]

Aviation Is Hiring: AOPA Launches Career Expo in Phoenix

November 8, 2026November 8, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will host its first Aviation Career Expo on November 13 and 14 at the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, connecting job seekers with airlines, manufacturers, flight schools, and aviation service providers. The two-day recruiting and networking event, presented by ATP Flight School, covers careers in and out of the cockpit, […]

Electra and VertiPorts by Atlantic Partner to Advance Ultra Short Operations in New York City

El Niño 2026–27: Why Humanitarian Airlift Planning Must Start Before the Weather Turns

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve: Perfect Campaign, Phenomenal Soundtrack, Endless Reasons to Keep Flying

Ponca City Breaks Ground on $14.3 Million Regional Airport