The North Carolina Department of Transportation has named
Rebecca Gallas as Director of Aviation for NCDOT. Becca, who has been serving
as Interim Director for the Division, brings a wealth of experience to this
role, having served NCDOT in a variety of capacities, including in the Chief
Engineer’s Office.
Rebecca Gallas
“I am excited to lead NCDOT’s Aviation team and shape
the future of flight in our state,” said Ms. Gallas. “I believe that aviation
is a powerful force for economic growth, and I am committed to working with our
airports and partners to ensure that our state builds upon our vibrant Aviation
heritage.”
Gallas has a proven track record of success in leading and
managing complex organizational projects and diverse teams, noted Julie White,
Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation for NCDOT. “I am confident that
she will continue to be an asset to the Department and to our aviation
partners.”
During her interim role, she advocated for North Carolina
airports on Capitol Hill in the FAA reauthorization, launched the Advance
Mobility NC program at AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2023, and supported the Airport
Development team in realizing their goal of returning to full staffing.
Gallas has a strong commitment to partnership and quality
customer service, which she plans to demonstrate by visiting most of state’s 72
airports in the next fiscal year to understand the unique challenges each
airport faces. She also recognizes the opportunities that are coming to the
aviation industry with UAS and AAM and has bold plans to continue North
Carolina’s “First in Flight” legacy.
The City of Phoenix has notified the CEO and Board of the
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA) that effective June 30, 2024, it
will conclude its membership with the PMGAA. Phoenix joined the PMGAA Board on
May 22, 2006, as the 5th member of the Authority. The City of Phoenix has
invested in-kind services, and to date has contributed more than $25 million to
support the growth and development of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Thanks
to the Board’s leadership, the airport has excelled and is now well positioned
for long-term growth and success.
“Given the Phoenix-Mesa Airport Authority’s strength and
financial solvency, as well as Phoenix’s need to continue making financial
investments in its own system of airports, now is the right time to conclude
participation on the PMGAA Board,” said Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring, who
also serves as the current Vice-Chair of the PMGAA Board.
“PMGAA appreciates the resources, aviation experience, and
leadership that the City of Phoenix has provided during the past 17+ years as a
member of the Authority”, said J. Brian O’Neill, A.A.E., Executive Director and
CEO. “PMGAA staff values its relationship with PHX staff and remains committed
to working together on issues of mutual interest in the future.”
Phoenix is providing the PMGAA a full year’s notice to help
ensure an orderly transition and provide the Authority ample time to account
for the reduction in member contributions associated with the City of Phoenix
departure.
“Phoenix maintains an incredibly productive relationship
with the professional staff at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, and we look
forward to continuing to work in cooperation with the PMGAA to support the air
transportation needs of our growing metropolitan area,” said City of Phoenix
Director of Aviation Services, Chad Makovsky.
Elixir Aircraft and International Aviation Academy of New
Zealand (IAANZ) are embarking on an exciting partnership.
Following a visit by a delegation from the IAANZ in April
to Elixir Aircraft in La Rochelle, the professional training organization committed
to renewing its fleet with the 4th generation aircraft. Aiming to order a
minimum of two aircraft per year for the next 5 years.
Elixir Aircraft is offering an extremely modern, safer,
greener aircraft that also cuts maintenance time by almost 60%. This is of
major interest to a flying school that operates a large fleet on the other side
of the planet. “The part catalogue for an Elixir consists of between 20 to
30 times less references than existing older generation aircraft, so it’s an
incredible opportunity for a flying school to manage its spare parts and
day-to-day operations” says Mike Tonkin head of sales for Elixir.
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announces
Board of Directors leadership changes and the election of five new members.
Todd Anderson
Todd Anderson, Chief Operating Officer of Sheltair, has been
elected as the new Board Chair. Todd’s home base is in Orlando, Florida. Todd
will take the helm from Clive Lowe, Executive Vice President at Atlantic
Aviation, who will continue to serve as Immediate Past Chair on NATA’s
Executive Committee.
“I would like to recognize Clive Lowe as he completes his
second term as Board Chairman. As Immediate Past Chair, Clive will continue to
be a driving force for NATA initiatives that build connections between aviation
businesses and diverse talent in preparing us for a bright future,” stated NATA
President and CEO Curt Castagna. “We appreciate Clive’s steady hand in guiding
the Association through a period of change and support of the investment in the
modernization of the look, feel, and function of NATA programs and services.”
“Under Todd Anderson’s leadership, the team looks forward to
continued development and growth of NATA’s initiatives, as well as the
introduction of innovative programs,” added Castagna. “Todd’s enthusiasm for
elevating the employee and customer experience, ability to view the industry
through a different lens, and skill at fostering community will be central to
enriching our strategic focus and building upon our success.”
Renewing for additional 3-year terms are Josh Hochberg,
President/Owner of Sonoma Jet Center, and Larry Wade, Partner/President of
Golden Aisles Aviation.
Travis Grimsley, Vice President of Aircraft Services at the
Duncan Aviation in Battle Creek, Michigan; Cristine Kirk , President and CEO of
Malone AirCharter in Jacksonville, Florida; Mary Miller, Vice President
Industry and Government Affairs for Signature Aviation in Washington, DC;
Kathryn Purwin, CEO and Owner of Helinet Aviation Services in Van Nuys,
California; and Craig Teasdale, Vice President of Operations for Ferrovial
Vertiports in Irving, TX, were elected to serve at-large.
“The NATA Board and team are thrilled to welcome these bold
and dedicated idea innovators to the Board of Directors – each representing an
established or emerging membership segment of the Association. As the industry
explores new ways to recruit new talent, foster diversity, conduct business,
and advance safety and sustainability, Mary, Cristine, Kathryn, Craig, and
Travis will add increased depth to the wealth of perspectives leading the
Association and its members to higher levels of excellence and achievement,”
stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.
Travis Grimsley
Travis Grimsley is Vice President of Aircraft Services at
the Duncan Aviation facility in Battle Creek. In 2005, Travis joined the Duncan
Aviation team as a Line Services Representative, transitioning to Manager of
Customer Service in 2016. Before being promoted to his current role, Grimsley
was named Director of Maintenance for Airframe Services in 2019. The common
thread in all his positions at Duncan Aviation has been his genuine desire to
provide a positive environment for customers and team members. Travis earned
his pilot’s license when he was 21 years old, and he earned a bachelor’s degree
in business from Western Michigan University in 2012.
Cristine Kirk
Cristine Kirk, President and CEO of Malone AirCharter, has
been part of the Malone AirCharter staff since 2010, most recently serving as
the Chief Financial Officer. Inspired early on by the culture at Malone
AirCharter, Kirk acquired all stock in the company and stepped into the role of
President and CEO on April 27, 2021. Today, Kirk and her team are carrying on
Malone AirCharter’s more than 20-year reputation of safety and excellent customer
service. With an eye on safety and growth, Kirk led the company’s move to
Jacksonville International Airport in late 2021– an opportunity to add larger
aircraft to their fleet, facilitate new international travel, and take
advantage of additional safety measures, including longer runways.
Mary Miller
Mary
Miller is Vice President Industry and Government Affairs for Signature
Aviation. Miller began her aviation career at Butler Aviation in 1981 as a
Customer Service Manager at Washington National Airport (DCA). She was promoted
in 1987 to Director of Customer Service for the Butler Aviation network and
later to Director of Sales and Customer relations. When Butler and Page Avjet
merged to form Signature Flight Support, Miller was promoted to Vice President
of Customer Relations. In 2010, Miller was promoted to Vice President Industry
and Government Affairs for both Signature Flight Support and parent company BBA
Aviation. Miller has played a pivotal role in the Transportation Safety
Administration’s DASSP – DCA Access Standard Safety Protocol program for
Washington Reagan National Airport, assisting business and general aviation
operators to utilize the 48 authorized daily operations at the airport.
Kathryn Purwin
Kathryn Purwin, CEO and Owner of Helinet Aviation Services
has been involved in the aviation community for over 30 years and has flown
both private jets and helicopters professionally. Kathryn is active in the Los
Angeles and Van Nuys aviation community and serves on the Van Nuys Airport
Association’s (VNAA) Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board of
Trustees at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), an organization with which
she has a long history as Helinet has transported more than 11,000 critically
ill children for CHLA. Purwin recently partnered with Urban Movement Labs to
explore integrating emerging eVTOL technology into Helinet’s operations,
working toward more sustainable and accessible air transportation in Los
Angeles. Kathryn graduated with Honors from UCLA with a double major in History
and Political Science. Her flight ratings and certificates include Commercial
Multi-Engine, Instrument Airplane, and Rotorcraft.
Craig Teasdale
Craig
Teasdale is Vice President of Operations for Ferrovial Vertiports, a division
of Ferrovial Airports. In this role, Teasdale is responsible for planning all
operational activities within the network of vertiports that the company is
developing to support the introduction of zero-carbon urban and regional air
mobility services. Teasdale has more than 20 years of experience in aviation with
leadership and operational roles in the Fixed-Based Operation (FBO) sector. For
most of his career, Teasdale has worked at Signature Flight Support
Corporation, where he was Operations Director and, prior to that, General
Manager. Teasdale also helped build a new FBO start-up, Propeller Aero
Services, where he was responsible for establishing all aspects of the
operations.
HevenDrones will be presenting its hydrogen-powered UAS, the H2D55, at the Modern Day Marine Expo in Washington, DC, from June 27th-29th. HevenDrones will discuss the paradigm shift its hydrogen-powered UAV provides as well as additional model configurations in its hydrogen-powered product line.
Improvements in EVTOL technology are creating new defense
and security use cases, including logistics in contested environments
(point-to-point delivery) and improved loitering capabilities for both attack
and ISR missions.
Hydrogen-powered drones are uniquely positioned to
significantly improve flight endurance as well as the logistical challenge
associated with lithium batteries (supply, charge, and life cycle management)
whilst also serving as the perfect use-case for USG hydrogen infrastructure
investments in both a military and commercial context.
As part of the company’s hydrogen innovation strategy, HevenDrones is working to develop a hydrogen ecosystem, with a focus on electrolysis, fixed and portable refueling hubs, advances in regulation and integration within the wider mobility sector as well as other key hydrogen infrastructural projects at a military, federal and commercial level. HevenDrones currently has a partnership with PlugPower, a major supplier of hydrogen fuel cells designed to replace electric batteries in vehicles. Roy Levy, VP of Business Development & Gilad Katz, HevenDrones Chief of Staff, will be attending Modern Day Marine, providing in-depth demos of the H2D55 and outlining the company’s US expansion plans.
Photo above – Mark Lang; Territory Account Executive, BRINC; sUAS 107 Certified – Retired LEO.
A team from DroneUp prepares for a demonstration.
North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA) – a 501(c)3 regional consortium of more than 40 municipalities, agencies, corporations and academic institutions across North Texas with a mission to build the most connected, smart and resilient region in the country – has partnered with Dallas County to launch a UAS and Robotics Technology Program in support of Dallas County’s Smart County Blueprint. The program will help drive the potential adoption of innovative drone and robotic solutions to improve county efficiencies, enhance public safety and address day-to-day processes of various county departments.
The county held a demonstration today for vendors in the
UAS, robotics and drone industries to showcase their latest solutions in the
areas of parking lot surveillance, illegal dumping detection, inventory
management, inter-office and building delivery, remote fleet vehicle
inspections, building inspection/evaluations and robotics for public safety.
The demonstration day was a result of Dallas County allowing for a call for
innovation for groundbreaking solutions in this space, after condensing the
highly competitive entry pool from over 35 responses. County stakeholders including
the Sheriff’s Department, Buildings Department, Fire Marshal’s Office and more
were present to evaluate the demonstrations.
Jennifer Sanders
“The UAS and Robotics Program is the next step for Dallas
County reaching its Smart County vision,” said NTXIA Co-Founder and Executive
Director Jennifer Sanders. “Together with our partners, NTXIA’s mission is to
help municipalities in the North Texas region discover world-class smart city
technologies and important resources they will need to improve the lives of
citizens and create efficiencies, as well as elevate public safety into the
future. Today’s drone demo day is a reflection of how bringing together
stakeholders from the technology world, government and business will push us to
the forefront in smart region leadership – helping to also drive sensible
policy and exposure of exciting new innovations to the public.”
NTXIA launched Dallas County’s Smart County Blueprint in
2021 to help local governments leverage new solutions to improve outcomes and
resource efficiencies, as well as enhance quality of life for Dallas County
jurisdictions and their residents. The UAS and Robotics Technology Program is a
key item on the agenda for 2023 to help government stakeholders understand the
value and feasibility of scaling and implementing these solutions county-wide.
Jonathon Bazan
“As a county, we want to best serve our residents and
enhance their day-to-day lives by leveraging the latest technology solutions,
and our drone and robotics program is just the beginning,” said Dallas County
Assistant County Administrator Jonathon Bazan. “Our Smart County Blueprint aims
to create a cohesive experience for residents with access to similar
technologies as they cross city lines within Dallas County and making
government leaders aware of the technologies available and their benefits is
the first step toward long-term implementation. NTXIA has been key in helping
our county both shape and execute on this vision, and today’s demo day allows
leaders, stakeholders and constituents to see the potential of this vision
firsthand.”
“We are thrilled to see Dallas County embracing
groundbreaking technologies in the drone and robotics spaces,” said Dallas
County Fire Marshal Robert De Los Santos. “As a servant of the community, our
goal is to best protect our county, and this demo day will allow key county
leaders to be exposed to proven and tested solutions that can serve for
practical use cases today, and future solutions that will allow our county to
continue to progress with the latest technologies. These solutions will be able
to assist us in our duties of surveillance, public safety and more. It is truly
exciting to be part of a county that is focused on preparing for the future for
the benefit of its citizens.”
The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO)
has announced the appointment of Taylor Bryan as Manager of Marketing &
Communications. Bryan recently graduated from The George Washington University
with a Masters Degree in Museum Studies. Originally from the birthplace of aviation,
Bryan has a passion for the industry and has worked for organizations such as the
National Museum of the United States Air Force, the National Aviation Hall of
Fame, the National Air & Space Museum, and the National Aeronautic
Association.
“NASAO is excited to welcome Taylor Bryan to our team” said
Greg Pecoraro, NASAO CEO. “Taylor brings a wealth of experience in other
aviation organizations to her new role, as well as strong communications
skills. Her addition to the team will allow us to provide greater support to
our members, as well as improve our connection with the rest of the aviation
community and those in the general public interested in aviation issues.”
The educational non-profit Palm Springs Air Museum (PSAM) is initiating a new program to address the ongoing shortage of qualified airline pilots. According to Oliver Wyman’s Global Fleet & Maintenance-Repair-Overhaul Market Forecast for 2022-20232, “the most vexing challenges for aviation were widespread labor shortages across every sector of aviation and in most regions. In North America, the industry is facing two potentially severe shortfalls in the ranks of commercial airline pilots and aircraft mechanics. By our analysis, the supply gaps already amount to 18% of the total pilot workforce in 2023 and 14% of aviation mechanics. The outlook is for those deficits to grow or at least linger through 2033. The gap in the number of pilots needed and those available has already led to reductions in service to less popular and more rural destinations and has hit regional airlines hardest.”
Step 1 is to get young people interested in aviation. To that end, the Palm Springs Air Museum in conjunction with the Palm Springs Chapter of Air & Space Forces Association, and the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, developed The Ronald M. Auen Learning Center and Atlantic Aviation FIRST FLIGHT EXPERIENCE. This program gives aspiring pilots, ages 12 through 17, the experience of Flight: safety training and actual experience flying in a Cessna 182, with commemorative T-shirt, logbook, and certificate. The flights occur on the first Saturday of the month from October through July. Space is limited, and interested students with parental permission may contact david.mindel@icloud.com.
Step 2 is to follow up the FIRST FLIGHT EXPERIENCE with FLY
COACHELLA VALLEY, a joint effort by PSAM and SoCal Pilot Center. Participants
in FLY COACHELLA VALLEY will have the opportunity to enroll in an FAA Part 141
accredited program at SoCal Pilot Center in Thermal, which will ultimately lead
to a Commercial Pilot Certificate and open the doors to a career in aviation.
SoCal Pilot Center and affiliates offer Airline Career Programs in Europe and
the USA, tailored to a strong academic backbone with the goal of developing
executive skills early on during training. The program combines the very latest
technology, pre-course Psychological / Psychotechnical Assessments (PELICAN
Test) and advanced ground school training methods combined with strong student
discipline, use of ultra-modern Simulator technology and State of the Art
Textron Aviation Glass Cockpit Airplanes. SoCal Pilot Center’s graduation rate
was 96% in 2022. One of the major goals
of this program is to identify opportunities to invest in the success of all
students, especially those with economic barriers. This screening process
consists of five steps: Math / Physics Refresher Course, the aforementioned
PELICAN Test, Simulator Assessment, FAA Medical Test, and financial evaluation.
With help from the local Air & Space Forces Association
chapter, PSAM will provide at least 50 prospective Airline Career Candidates
per year to the SoCal Pilot Center for screening. The program will also track
students’ progress and eventual hiring by the aviation industry. This is only
the first leg of a five-year program with measurable goals and outcomes. SoCal
Pilot Center is the only FAA Part 141 certified Cessna Pilot training center
within 60 miles of the Jacqueline Cochran Airport in Thermal. Participation in
this project aligns with the Palm Springs Air Museum’s mission of educating
future generations, especially about Air Power.
The Palm Springs Air Museum contains over 73 vintage
airframes from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the new F-117
Stealth Fighter inside The Jim Houston Pavilion. Aircraft are contained inside 91,000 square
feet of open hangars and on the tarmac. Additional displays and memorabilia are
located throughout the hangars. The Museum is open daily from 10 am until 5 PM.
For more information, visit PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org or call 760-778-6262
during business hours.
SoCal Pilot Center is part of the International Pilot Center
Alliance (IPCA), is an FAA and EASA Approved Training Organization with
training locations in the Coachella Valley and Europe. Offering a complete series of high-level
pilot training courses, ranging from All-Inclusive Airline Career Programs to
private Pilot programs.
The school is staffed with full-time Flight Instructors and
guarantees the highest quality standards in flight training. All facilities,
including new student housing, are an integral part of the organization. SoCal
Pilot Center is also part of the Textron Aviation, Cessna Pilot Center Network
since 2016 and has been approved by CATS/PSI as an FAA Testing Center. SoCal
Pilot Center is approved by the USCIS to provide M1 Visas to foreign students
for Flight Training under the SEVIS program. For more information, visit
www.flyspc.com or call 760-989-4525 during business hours.
Astral Aviation has signed its first formal partnership
agreement (MOU) with disaster response nonprofit Airlink. In the agreement,
Astral Aviation promises to transport 50 tons of humanitarian aid over the next
year.
Sanjeev S Gadhia Founder, CEO Astral Aviation with Airlinks Senior Programs Manager Bethany Holland.
Airlink will utilize the cargo space to support the movement of humanitarian aid across Astral Aviation’s network, already leveraging this partnership in order to support a shipment of medicines and medical supplies to South Sudan. The supplies were donated by Airlink’s NGO partner, Partners for World Health, to an additional member of Airlink’s network, IMA World Health, and will be distributed in flood-affected regions in the Great Upper Nile region, as well as in health facilities along South Sudan’s border with Uganda.
Astral Aviation operates a network that connects East Africa
to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe via hubs in Nairobi, Johannesburg and
Dubai. The agreement will enable nonprofit Airlink to support humanitarian
relief efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“As Astral Aviation we see the partnership with Airlink as
an important opportunity to support some of the humanitarian efforts in the
sub-Saharan region so as to help alleviate the suffering on some of the war-ravaged
and disaster-stricken population,” said Mr. Sanjeev Gadhia, the CEO of Astral
Aviation Limited.
“The humanitarian nonprofit community is under huge resource
pressures stemming from COVID responses, the war in Ukraine, inflation, and
economic downturns. Airline commitments like the one Astral Aviation is making
allow Airlink and our nonprofit partners to react to immediate needs. It also
enables us to support communities with long-term recovery and systemic issues,
such as in healthcare,” said Steven J. Smith, President, and CEO of Airlink.
Nonprofit Airlink builds partnerships with aviation sector
businesses, like Astral Aviation, to provide free air transport and logistical
coordination to a network of 150 humanitarian relief and disaster response nonprofits.
Since 2010, Airlink has saved its nonprofit partners over $12 million in air
transport costs, resources which these nonprofit network partners could
redirect to buying humanitarian aid and funding service delivery.
In 2022, Airlink responded to more than 40 emergencies,
providing transport for 1,300 skilled responders, and over 1,400 tons of
humanitarian aid. The aid they transported reached more than 12.5 million
people.
The Experimental Aircraft Association has announced the
extension of their Platinum-Level sponsorship with The Boeing Company.
EAA’s relationship with Boeing dates back to 1989 and
Boeing’s presence has grown into one of the largest vendor footprints on the
AirVenture grounds.
With this 3-year agreement, Boeing will retain the naming
rights of Boeing Plaza, and continue its commitment to provide AirVenture
admission at no cost to all youth attendees 18 and younger. Other components
include Jeppesen and ForeFlight product representation in the Pilot Proficiency
Center, management of the Airline Crew Check-in, Presenting Sponsor of
WomenVenture, and continued support of KidVenture.
Commenting on the renewed agreement with Boeing, Jack
Pelton, EAA CEO/Chairman said, “Boeing’s involvement with EAA and AirVenture
means more people can engage with aviation at Oshkosh.” Pelton continued, “Boeing’s support of our
free youth admission allows families to enjoy our event and discover flight,
while EAA WomenVenture inspires women to pursue their dreams, and Boeing Plaza
is known worldwide for a gathering of airplanes seen nowhere else but
Oshkosh.”
“AirVenture is not just a general aviation event; the
commercial, business and military representation is massive, which makes it a
perfect venue to showcase our diverse collection of Boeing products and
services,” said Brad Surak, vice president of Digital Aviation Solutions for
Boeing’s Global Services business. Surak continued, “EAA is an organization
with impressive global reach, and our collaboration is important on many
levels. AirVenture is a platform that allows us to do many things – from
assessing market interest of new products to inspiring the next generation of
aviation professionals.”
