Reflecting the importance and strength of the Illinois aviation system, six airports have received Airport of the Year awards from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The awards were presented last week during the Illinois Public Airports Association fall conference in Galena. “Our airports connect us to the world, one of the many reasons why Illinois […]
Illinois
Start of Crosswind Runway Project Celebrated at Morris Municipal Airport
State and local leaders joined with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to celebrate the start of construction on a new crosswind runway at the Morris Municipal Airport to help with landings and takeoffs during adverse weather. The project was made possible by the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, which provided nearly $12 million in […]
State Senator Secures $4.5 Million to Advance Workforce Training and Economic Development Priorities at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport
Senator Doris Turner has secured $4.5 million in capital project funding in the State of Illinois’ 2026 Budget which was signed by the Governor last week. These funds are dedicated for airport capital improvements including aircraft maintenance and flight training facility development. The Springfield Airport Authority has made significant investments throughout the entire 2,400+ acre […]
Southern Illinois Airport Appoints Third-Generation Aviator as New Airport Manager
Southern Illinois Airport is proud to announce the appointment of Alyssa S. Connell as its new Airport Manager. A third-generation aviator and nationally respected aviation executive, Alyssa has over two decades of leadership experience in aviation business development, general aviation, and strategic aerospace communication. Alyssa has served the Southern Illinois Airport Authority in a variety […]
SIU School of Aviation Gets High National Marks for Management, Flight Program
By Pete Rosenbery The Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Aviation continues to earn national attention. The program was recently ranked No. 4 among the best schools for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree in aviation/airway management and operations by College Factual, which looks at the university’s overall Best Colleges ranking, along with areas […]
Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport™ Wins Prestigious 2024 Airports Going Green Award™ for Sustainability Leadership
Pictured Above – Mark Hanna, Springfield Airport, Aaron Frame, Chicago Department of Aviation, and Corey Harper, Veregy. Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport™ (SPI) has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Airports Going Green (AGG) Award, presented during the annual AGG Conference hosted by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) in partnership with the Chicago Department of […]
APTech Expands with New Headquarters in Champaign
After several years of continuous company growth, APTech’s home base has relocated from downtown Urbana, Illinois to the business center within the University of Illinois Research Park in sister city Champaign. “Though our previous home served us well for nearly 20 years, we simply outgrew the space,” said APTech’s President, Monty Wade, P.E. APTech first […]
SIU Carbondale Grad Succeeds in Creating Music, Flying Planes
by Pete Rosenbery Composing allows Thomas Edgar, a certified flight instructor in Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Aviation, a bit more freedom and the opportunity to be more creative than when piloting a plane. And Edgar, who graduated from SIU in May with degrees in piano performance from the School of Music and aviation […]
Southern Illinois Airport Manager Announces Retirement
Gary R. Shafer, Airport Manager of the Southern Illinois Airport, has announced his retirement, effective March 31, 2025. Shafer has dedicated 45 years to the airport, with 43 of those years as Airport Manager. With only two airport managers in the airport’s 74-year history, Shafer is recognized as one of the longest-serving airport managers in […]
The National Aviation Hall of Fame and RTCA Announce 2024 Professional Learning Scholarship Winner
The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) and RTCA, Inc. are delighted to announce Jackie Blumer, Earth/Space Jr. High Teacher at Greenville Jr. High School STEM in Greenville, IL, as the distinguished recipient of the Professional Development Scholarship Opportunity for Educators. The scholarship recognizes and supports outstanding educators committed to advancing aviation and technology education. […]
