Maryland

Banner Year for AOPA Foundation You Can Fly Challenge

Kim Stevens

Helping to ensure a bright future for general aviation through important initiatives that grow the pilot population and help keep it safe, AOPA members and the GA community once again came through in droves.

Between the You Can Fly Challenge window of June 1 and December 31, 2023, more than 2,900 donors gave more than $3.5 million to the AOPA Foundation, unlocking the Ray Foundation’s generous $2.5 million dollar-for-dollar match. In all, the You Can Fly Challenge raised more than $6.2 million to fund essential AOPA aviation programs that promote and protect GA.

“The generosity of our donors and their shared commitment to general aviation is something we never take for granted, and we are grateful for their support,” said AOPA Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Tennyson. “It is only because of donors to the AOPA Foundation that we can offer You Can Fly programs that get people flying and keep them flying.”

The late James C. Ray was a World War II veteran and a member of the AOPA Foundation New Horizon Society who believed “life skills are learned through aviation.”

The AOPA Foundation’s You Can Fly program comprises four important initiatives: High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, Flight Training, Flying Clubs, and Rusty Pilots.

Nearly 23,000 students in 47 states and Washington, D.C., are currently discovering aviation through the High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. To date, more than 71,000 students have earned high school credit through these courses. More than 60 percent of initiative graduates have indicated they are pursuing an aviation career.

AOPA’s Flight Training Advantage (AFTA) program is making flight training more efficient and transparent with detailed progress reporting, cockpit scoring, and individualized lessons tailored to each student’s strengths. To date, more than 2,110 flight schools and independent certified flight instructors have signed on, with more than 14,000 training hours logged on AFTA since March 2021.

The AOPA Foundation Flying Clubs team has helped launch 241 clubs nationwide, giving thousands of pilots affordable access to aircraft and community.

Nearly 13,000 formerly lapsed pilots are back in the flight deck thanks to the help of AOPA’s Rusty Pilots program, designed to make it easy to get back in the air, even after decades away. Since the Rusty Pilots program began 10 years ago, nearly 51,000 pilots have attended more than 1,000 in-person and online seminars.

While the 2023 You Can Fly Challenge is behind us, the need for support continues. Learn about more ways you can donate to the AOPA Foundation and help keep pilots flying safely.

Runway Improvement Project Approved for Martin State Airport

Kim Stevens

The Maryland Board of Public Works unanimously approved a contract last week for a comprehensive pavement rehabilitation project for the runway at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Baltimore County. The Board, chaired by Governor Wes Moore and including Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Chief Deputy Treasurer Jon Martin, approved the nearly $32 million contract that will replace pavement and enhance the airport runway, improve taxiway connections and upgrade electrical components, including the installation of LED airfield lighting and signage.

“This investment by the Board of Public Works paves the way for a significant advancement in economic development at Martin State Airport,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld. “The rehabilitation project will bring important improvements to the airport and ensure it is better equipped to meet the needs of its customers.” 

“We thank the Board of Public Works for this important investment to maintain and improve the airfield at Martin State Airport, a critical part of the Maryland aviation system,” said Ricky Smith, Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Aviation Administration. “This work will help ensure a safe, efficient airport that meets the highest standards for our customers and partners.”

P. Flanigan and Sons Inc. of Baltimore was awarded the construction contract. A 21% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise participation goal was established for the contract. The preliminary schedule calls for the airfield work at Martin State to begin in the spring. Construction is expected to last for approximately 255 days.

Martin State Airport is a general aviation airport that supports a variety of services, including corporate and private aviation, flight schools, law enforcement and the Maryland Air National Guard. Martin State is designated as a reliever airport by the Federal Aviation Administration that helps divert general aviation activities from commercial operations at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Partnering with Veterans for a New Look at the Skies – MissionGO and Vets to Drones

Kim Stevens

MissionGO, Inc. which has a proud history of working with and employing veterans from all branches of the United States military, has announced its latest partnership with Vets to Drones, a non-profit organization that prepares veterans to enter the commercial drone industry. Giving veterans another opportunity to serve communities around the country, MissionGO and Vets to Drones will be working together to define training, safety, and quality standards to prepare our service members for work in the uncrewed industry.

“Many of MissionGO’s team members share a service background, whether in the armed forces, police, first responders, etc.” says Chris Corgnati, President of MissionGO and retired Navy Captain. “MissionGO focuses on mission execution and safety every day – values shared by our service members. We look forward to building MissionGO’s uncrewed aviation business with another generation of veteran UAS pilots and support teams.”

“Vets to Drones is proud of our newest partnership with MissionGO. The veterans in our program are excited about UAS technology and ambitious for where this technology can lead them in the future. We have followed MissionGO’s progress through the years and know this company is a mature workplace that cares for its employees, making it the perfect place for us to send our veteran students. We look forward to working together to provide an entry point for veterans new to the industry while also providing a place for veterans with years of operational UAS experience to put their military skills to use in the commercial sector,” says Chris Lewis, President & Founder of Vets to Drones.

Partnerships are critical in any industry, but especially in the uncrewed world. Working together is imperative to advance the reality of UAS in an integrated, safe, and sustainable airspace. Learn more about MissionGO’s strategic partnerships and reach out to us today to discuss how we might be able to collaborate!

Opportunities to Engage Pilots and Aircraft Owners to Abound at 2023 AOPA Aviator Showcase

Kim Stevens

For aviation companies looking to spotlight their products and services, the 2023 AOPA Aviator Showcase will offer a unique opportunity to engage the most eager pilots and aircraft owners.

To be held on September 8 and 9 at the home of AOPA in Frederick, Maryland, the AOPA Aviator Showcase is designed to attract a ripe audience of those pilots and aircraft owners looking to buy, upgrade, or learn more about the products and services available in general aviation. It will also enable aviators to connect with fellow pilots, aircraft owners, and industry experts.

Companies representing a wide range of aviation needs, including avionics, technology, flight planning, aircraft manufacturing, sales, and finance, are invited to mingle with aviators in this ultimate aircraft buying and upgrading event.

The event will kick off on Friday, September 8, at 12 p.m., when attendees can peruse the AOPA exhibit hall and get up close and personal with products, services, and equipment. From there, visitors can walk the aircraft display before taking part in an intimate happy hour with exhibitors and fellow aviators. The exhibit hall will continue to welcome attendees on Saturday, with the addition of a full schedule of educational seminars on industry and safety. Tasty fare from local food trucks will be available for lunch.

The Aviator Showcase will be the one of the final AOPA events of 2023. AOPA’s events team is preparing a full roster of 2024 events, activities, and flyovers celebrating AOPA’s 85th anniversary.

Exhibitor registration is expected to open by late April. Interested companies can contact AOPA at exhibits@aopa.org, and are invited to check back for details as they become available at AOPA’s events web page.

Pilots Organize Airlift for Families at The Children’s Inn at NIH

Kim Stevens

Pilots for Christ Maryland has partnered with The Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Commonwealth Aviation and local pilots to airlift presents for patients receiving care at NIH on Saturday, Dec. 17.

The planned airlift, known as “Miracle on Runway One-Four,” will involve pilots and general aviation aircraft departing from various airports across the Mid-Atlantic and arriving at Montgomery County Airport at 11:00 am. Pilots for Christ will be collecting gifts and organizing volunteer pilots from now until the airlift.

“Our goal is to use our ability to fly to serve those in need,” Pilots for Christ Maryland President Michael McFadden said. “We are organizing the airlift and using our abilities to fly to help share hope and joy for the families receiving treatment at NIH this holiday season.”

Pilots for Christ is collaborating with local businesses such as Commonwealth Aviation, a Manassas-based flight school, to collect donations and organize volunteer aircraft for the airlift.

Those interested in purchasing gifts for children staying at the Children’s Inn at NIH can do so by donating to Pilots for Christ, marking their donations as “Airlift” here: https://www.pilotsforchristofmaryland.org/donation

Donations will be loaded into volunteer aircraft and flown to Montgomery County Airport on Dec. 17.

Interested individuals can also donate to The Children’s Inn directly here: https://give.childrensinn.org/give/329874/#!/donation/checkout

“We hope that this airlift can be the first of many, and we can expand our services to patients and people in need of care more in the future,” McFadden said.

AOPA Introduces Poker Run National Flight Challenge

Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association introduces the Poker Run National Flight Challenge. The first poker run of its kind!

Designed by pilots, for pilots, players collect their hand of virtual cards following a 7 Card Stud inspired format. Check-in at different airports around the US and earn a new card at each check-in for a chance to win awesome prize packages! The AOPA Poker Run National Challenge runs from July 1, 2022, to September 30, 2022.

HOW TO PLAY:

Each participant will earn a new card when they check in at public-use airports using the AOPA Pilot Passport program built into the AOPA App (AOPA App version 2.6 or higher is required to play). Cards can be earned between July 1st, 2022, and September 30th, 2022, and playing hands must have all 7 cards to be eligible. Winners will be selected and announced on or before Oct 6th, 2022. Playing cards are issued just like other Pilot Passport badges. A participant can earn more than one card per day, but the airports visited must be different, even when checking-in on different days. Once a player has all 7 cards in their hand, the Pilot Passport system will automatically choose the best 5 cards that will become the player’s final hand. Read the full rules HERE.

Description automatically generated prizes are awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place participants with the best hands – and there’s a consolation prize for the worst hand, too!

Prize 1: Bose A20 Headset + AOPA Prize Pack*

Prize 2: 2021 D2 Air Garmin Watch + AOPA Prize Pack*

Prize 3: $250 Randolph® Gift Card + AOPA Prize Pack*

Consolation Prize: AOPA Prize Pack*

*1 year iFlightPlanner Premium access, 1 year AOPA Membership with PPS Plus, $100 AOPA Pilot Gear Gift Certificate Read more about it here! 

AOPA’S Air Safety Institute Releases ‘Meet the Extra 300’ — First In a New Beyond Proficient Video Series

Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Institute (ASI) released its first video in a new Beyond Proficient video series that takes you into the cockpit of an Extra 300 aerobatic airplane.

“The videos demonstrate how upset recovery training with a qualified aerobatics flight instructor can help pilots better understand the dynamics of unusual attitudes and gain knowledge on how to safely recover,” said ASI Senior Vice President Richard McSpadden. “In addition, the series highlights how advanced and aerobatic maneuvers help pilots build confidence through heightened awareness of the airplane’s dynamics.”

The video series introduces recovery from accelerated stalls—including base-to-final skidded and slipped turns leading to stall/spin scenarios—nose pitched down stall recovery, and aerobatics such as aileron rolls, loops, Cuban eights, split-S maneuvers, and more.

View Meet the Extra 300 now.

National Spotlight Shines on AOPA Curriculum in Education Week Report

Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Foundation High School Aviation STEM Curriculum has seen phenomenal growth in the five years since educators across the country began using it to teach students about aviation. That growth is showcased in a recent special report by Education Week, one of America’s most trusted resources for education news and information on grades K through 12, reaching more than 1.6 million professional educators nationwide.

The AOPA Foundation curriculum now being taught in more than 300 schools in 44 states was previously featured by ABC News in 2020, and now figures prominently in an Education Week special report that includes stories about teaching students to become adept problem-solvers. AOPA’s curriculum is the subject of a story by Assistant Managing Editor Kevin Bushweller, who spent time (along with Education Week photographer Jaclyn Borowski and videographer Ryan Collerd) with students at Col. Zadok Magruder High School in Rockville, Maryland. Borowski produced a video that shines more positive light on the program.

The special report also included a video interview with former Southwest Airlines pilot Tammie Jo Shults, who wrote a book about her experience leading a successful problem-solving effort that ended with the safe landing of a Boeing 737 after one engine exploded causing damage that depressurized the cabin at 32,000 feet. Shults talked to Bushweller about the role of aviation in her personal and professional growth, and how the problem-solving skills learned by pilots can be applied much more broadly in life.

Victoria Wentt from Col. Zadok Magruder High School in Maryland handles flying duties during a general aviation discovery flight with Chris Moser, AOPA senior director of flight training education, at Frederick Municipal Airport on August 18, 2020. Photo by David Tulis and Josh Cochran.

Bushweller’s feature showcasing the AOPA Foundation-funded curriculum in action focuses on how the aviation-themed science, technology, engineering, and math lessons help students become better problem-solvers while preparing them for careers flying, maintaining aircraft, or in other roles supporting aircraft operations (crewed or otherwise). Bushweller also joined a class visit to Montgomery County Airpark in nearby Gaithersburg, Maryland, which supports Magruder High School’s implementation of the AOPA curriculum, for presentations about the aviation industry and a chance to hop aboard a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. The students spoke with career pilots, CFIs, and female aviation mechanics about what it’s like to work in a male-dominated industry.

Bushweller also spent time on classroom observation and heard from the students how the curriculum is directly impacting their future. Senior Ayman Bustillos, who plans to study aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, told Bushweller that an assignment to investigate an aircraft crash was among the most “powerful and memorable problem-solving lessons he learned, [a lesson that] ‘helped me in my decision to become an aerospace engineer.'”

Education Week highlighted the continuous growth of AOPA’s curriculum that is being used in high school career and technical education programs, and how it has flourished, growing from use in 29 schools in 17 states for the 2017-18 school year to 322 schools in 44 states for the 2021-22 school year.

AOPA is proud of the fact that the makeup of the students in the curriculum is far more diverse than the current pilot population and aviation workforce: Forty percent of the participants in the program are students of color and 21 percent are female.

In the video interview, Shults described her experience in the aviation industry and her advice to the next generation looking to follow in her footsteps.

“I’ve spent the last couple of years on a women’s advisory board to the FAA and just looking at some of the reasons that we don’t have very many women in aviation,” Shults said in the video. “AOPA has done this amazing bridge so that anyone can know not only more about aviation, but the practical, logical steps of how do you get into this industry.”

There has never been a better time than now for students interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry. “The surge in interest is fueled largely by growing opportunities in the airline industry, which faces massive shortages of pilots, mechanics, and other jobs due to retirements and the domestic and international expansion strategies of many airlines,” Bushweller wrote.

And the airlines are also on board with the work AOPA is doing to prepare students for their ranks. Education Week spoke with Brad Morrison, manager of pilot recruiting and development for American Airlines.

“‘What I tell kids now,’ Morrison said, ‘is this is how I wish the industry would have been 20 years ago’ when he was thinking of pursuing a career as a pilot. There are way more opportunities now to enter the airline industry in a variety of careers and get promoted quickly, he said.”

AOPA’s effort to promote aviation-based STEM education previously earned acclaim—and national exposure— in recent years from PBS NewsHour, CNN, Forbes, and Scripps, among others.

AOPA President Mark Baker Awarded First Flight Society Honorary Membership for Aviation Contributions

Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Mark Baker has been named an Honorary Member of the First Flight Society.  The program recognizes those luminaries who have achieved national recognition in aviation.

Mark Baker with his Piper Super Cub on floats.

“We are honored to recognize Mark’s many contributions to aviation,” said Mike Fonseca, President of the First Flight Society. “AOPA’s mantra is ‘your freedom to fly’ and Mark has certainly taken that mission to heart. All pilots across the country have benefitted from his vision, leadership and contributions.”

Baker is joined in this year’s class by two other noted aviation notables:

Dr. Tom Crouch is a noted aeronautics historian and curator, spending 44 years at the Smithsonian (both the National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of American History), and retiring in 2018 as curator emeritus. Among his several books include: The Bishop’s Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Rob Holland is one of the premier airshow performers and freestyle aerobatic competition pilots in the world, having won several U.S. and world championships.

Other recent Honorary Members have included Colonel Gail Halvorsen, Brigadier General Charles McGee, Dick Rutan, Sean Tucker, and Patty Wagstaff.

“While this may be an individual award, it’s emblematic of the great team we have at AOPA,” said Baker. “Everyone in the organization helps make my job easier and, together, we enable aviators to enjoy the amazing passion Orville and Wilbur brought to our world.”

Located in famed Kitty Hawk, N.C., the First Flight Society commemorates the first flight of the Wright Brothers and their development of powered flight. Each year, the Society recognizes individuals and entities that have accomplished outstanding achievements in manned flight and contributions to aviation.

MissionGO and The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland Reshape the Future of Medical Blood Transport with Successful Unmanned Aircraft Flight

Kim Stevens

As donation and transplantation needs continue to rise in Maryland and across America, a faster, safer and more efficient solution for organ and blood transport has arrived. MissionGO and The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland (The LLF), the state’s organ procurement organization (OPO) responsible for organ, eye and tissue donation services, announced a successful flight demonstration on August 10, using the new MissionGO MG Velos 100, a fully autonomous, high-speed unmanned aircraft system (UAS) solution for blood and organ delivery. The demonstration revealed an approximately 292 percent time improvement over ground transportation, this marks a momentous medical achievement for both organizations by being the first to demonstrate rapid UAS blood transport for fast-track lab testing, matching and transplantation of life-saving organs.

“About 20 lives are lost every day waiting for an organ transplant. As the demand of blood shipment to laboratories increases, it is imperative more than ever that we support and facilitate these types of initiatives in order to decrease the total turnaround time for donor matching results and get recipients the organs they need in time,” said Charlie Alexander, president and CEO of The LLF. “We are passionate about saving and enhancing lives through donation, while honoring the legacy and generosity of our donors and their families. Continuing to make these medical advancements furthers our mission to save more lives, and we look forward to finding more innovative ways to help those in need.”

Blood testing and travel time are integral parts of the organ donation and transplantation process, but with so many imminent variables that could threaten the viability of specimens, transporting blood in a safe, timely and effective manner is critical. Currently, The LLF send blood specimens to a minimum of three different labs by ground courier that are most frequently across a 7.1-mile distance, which takes about 38 minutes for just one shipment. This process is also subject to heavy traffic, unexpected accidents and many other unpredictable road-related factors. Once received, The LLF, donor hospitals and partner laboratories within 150 to 250 miles must create extremely efficient, logistical solutions to rapidly and rigorously test the specimen to ensure there are no communicable diseases present, identify a match and provide transport to the transplant hospital for the surgical procedure.

MissionGO recognized that a better method was needed and, with technology partners MediGO and AlarisPro, designed the MissionGO MG Velos 100, a fully integrated solution to track, deliver and monitor the entire logistics process. The LLF and MissionGO then developed a study comparing the speed and reliability of delivering blood specimens via ground transport versus unmanned aircraft. At one of MissionGO’s Maryland test sites, the UAS flew a circuit route over a 5.3-mile distance representing the direct line flight path for the blood delivery. Traveling at approximately 50 miles per hour over a 60-minute period, the UAS completed four total blood delivery shipments demonstrating that a better method is possible. Throughout the process, MediGO provided critical logistical information to all shipment stakeholders, including a chat channel for ongoing communication between the flight team to monitor each step of the specimen’s journey.

“When it comes to donation, specimen testing and transplantation, every second counts, and we found there was a lot of room for improvements within the current process,” said Frank Paskiewicz, executive vice president of UAS Cargo Operations at MissionGO. “For donation to be possible, labs must receive blood as quickly as possible so it can be matched with a waiting recipient, and we’re thrilled that the results of this flight and fully integrated UAS cargo delivery solution will help accelerate the donation process, and potentially, save more lives than ever before.”

Using the MissionGO MG Velos 100, OPOs, hospitals and laboratories will be equipped with an autonomous delivery system, which can airlift specimens over all traffic and geographical limitations for an expedient delivery that is fast, safe and effective. Working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to advance the MG Velos 100 through the certification process, MissionGO will be uniquely positioned to offer transplant stakeholders the only UAS capable of routine medical cargo delivery in urban environments. Combined with the complete visibility and transparency offered by MediGO and fleet and maintenance management from AlarisPro, every detail of a multi-modal organ and blood shipment is covered so that doctors and clinicians no longer have to worry about the logistics and can instead focus on their mission of saving lives.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to partner with The LLF, a forward-leaning, technology-focused OPO that is leading the transplant community into the future,” continued transplant surgeon Joseph Scalea, chief medical officer and co-founder of MediGO. “Now, all stakeholders can have eyes on the shipment through its entire journey to final delivery. The confidence and efficiency this brings to medical teams is a gamechanger for the industry and with our partners at MissionGO, the future of transplant logistics is here.”

There are currently about 3,000 Marylanders and more than 100,000 people nationwide waiting for a life-saving transplant. One donor can save up to eight people through organ donation and enhance more than 75 lives through tissue donation. To learn more about organ donation or to register as a donor, please visit www.thellf.org. To learn more about the MissionGO MG Velos 100 and recent flight demonstration, please visit this link.