Photo above – In 2021 Melissa Cooper was manager of Kansas City’s Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (KMKC). By Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Ph.D. Melissa Cooper recently became their first female director in the history of the Kansas City Aviation Department. With over 25-years of extensive airport management and aviation experience, Cooper is well-prepared to lead Kansas […]
National News
Malone AirCharter CEO Cristine Kirk Selected as NATA Board Vice Chair
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) board of directors named Cristine Kirk, CEO of Malone AirCharter, Inc., as its Vice Chair. Kirk was elected to serve on the NATA Board in June 2023. Kirk joined Malone AirCharter in 2010 as Staff Accountant and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) after just five years. In […]
Shania Twain and Ryan Aviation Group Join Forces to Illuminate Change in Children’s Lives
This holiday season, Ryan Aviation Group has announced a collaborative partnership with the Shania Kids Can Foundation, embarking on a Match Dollar Campaign aimed at making a meaningful impact on the lives of children facing crises and financial difficulties. As the founder of Ryan Aviation Group, Dan Ryan says, “If you want to be rich, […]
Cassandra Bosco Named Recipient of 2023 Brewer Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced that Cassandra Bosco has been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Frank G. Brewer Trophy. Bosco is honored for a lifetime of leadership and service as an effective advocate for shaping and cultivating the next generation through aviation education. “I am thrilled and honored to be the recipient […]
Unleaded Fuel Candidate Advances into Next Stage of PAFI Testing
General aviation industry members of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative are applauding the news of the first unleaded fuel candidate to successfully pass the most rigorous Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) initial detonation and 150-hour engine durability test phase, and continued progress toward an unleaded future. The FAA issued the following statement […]
Major Stephen Keck to Receive 2022 Mackay Trophy
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced that Major Stephen D. “Ali” Keck, USAF, is the recipient of the 2022 Mackay Trophy. The Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force (CSAF) names the honoree of the award, which the NAA administers. The CSAF chose Major Keck as the recipient of the prestigious recognition […]
GAMA President & CEO Testifies before Congress Regarding FAA Reauthorization
On Thursday, November 30, 2023, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO, Pete Bunce, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation in a hearing entitled: “Turbulence Ahead: Consequences of Delaying a Long-Term FAA Bill”. In his testimony, Bunce conveyed the importance of Congress moving at maximum velocity operating […]
GA Stakeholders Urge Passage of Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill
Several general aviation (GA) groups have advised Congress that continued short-term extensions of authorization for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would “challenge the certainty that industry and the FAA depend on to enable long-term planning and investment in many critical areas required to ensure the safety of the NAS and America’s global leadership in aviation.” […]
Aviation Groups Mourn the Passing of GA Advocate Selena Shilad
The general aviation community lost a “fierce advocate” with the November 24 passing of Selena Shilad, the executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA). Shilad, who was 45, died after a brief illness. She joined the Alliance after it was formed in 2007 and was promoted to executive director within a year, […]
ACSF Adds Three to Board of Governors
The Air Charter Safety Foundation has announced the election of three aviation industry professionals to the ACSF’s Board of Governors: Magellan Jets’s Matthew Harris, Flexjet’s Kent Stauffer and Talon Air’s Jay Thakor. Effective immediately, Harris, Stauffer and Thakor will join the ACSF’s current board to help guide the rapidly expanding ACSF organization in pursuit of […]
