New York

Barrington Irving’s Academy Welcomes Grads to Bizav Careers During NBAA Forum

Kim Stevens

During the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) 2024 NBAA White Plains Regional Forum, the Barrington Irving Technical Training School (BITTS) announced its first set of graduates from its local program, all of whom are ready to take positions at area facilities for two leading Fixed Base Operators (FBOs).

The announcement comes just months after the BITTS organization expanded from its Miami, FL base to an additional installation in New York’s Westchester County. Read more about the new BITTS location in New York.

Founded and led by Capt. Barrington Irving, a Guinness World Record-breaking pilot and NBAA American Spirit Award recipient, the organization provides technical training for students with diverse backgrounds, teaching them the hands-on skills needed to excel in aviation and other industries. NBAA is a supporting partner of the training school.

In his remarks at today’s NBAA White Plains Regional Forum, Irving noted that the first group of five student graduates at the school’s Mt. Vernon, NY, facility are preparing for interviews with Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support, having completed a 12-week workforce development program focused on FBO training.

The announcement was met with applause from local civic officials, including Mount Vernon, NY, Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard and Thom Kleiner, the executive director of the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board.

Mt. Vernon’s Management Services Commissioner Juan Perez and Youth Bureau Deputy Director Dena Williams, Westchester County Youth Program Director Liz Oliveto and Ranell Ogilvie from State Sen. Jamaal Bailey’s office were also on hand to congratulate the graduates.

“With our partners and our team, we have created something that is helping more people achieve their professional dreams through business aviation,” Irving said. “I couldn’t be more proud to see our goal come to life through these students.”

“The business aviation community understands the pressing need to attract, develop, retain and promote the next generation of industry professionals,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said. “Barrington Irving’s pioneering program was once a dream, but it is now inspiring young people to be a part of an exciting industry with boundless opportunities. We applaud Barrington for his leadership of this one-of-a-kind training school, and we are honored to support its mission.”

The Barrington Irving Technical Training School was opened at Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in 2023 with the support of Bombardier, Miami-Dade County, NBAA and other organizations. It is part of Irving’s Flying Classroom, a pre-K-12 STEM+ program.

Last December, BITTS graduated its first 15 students and landed them careers worth almost $1 million in salaries. The school has quickly added three new training centers – two in Florida at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and Pompano Beach Airpark, and the Mt. Vernon, NY, operation announced in late February 2024.

ADB SAFEGATE Awarded Contracts for The New Terminal One at JFK Airport

Kim Stevens

ADB SAFEGATE has been awarded contracts that utilize the latest Airside 4.0 technology for The New Terminal One at New York JFK Airport, a new international terminal being built in partnership with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s $19 billion transformation of JFK Airport. The first phase of The New Terminal One, including the arrivals and departures halls and the first 14 gates, is scheduled to open in June 2026.

In partnership with Tishman Construction Corp., the builder of the terminal, ADB SAFEGATE will deliver the latest Airside 4.0 technology, which includes a comprehensive apron management and tower system. The systems combine 12 separate products and solutions, including apron management software, advanced visual docking guidance systems, ramps services management system (RSMS), intelligent lead-in and roadway guard lighting, and a virtual apron control room, offering one of the most integrated airport apron operations in the U.S. This fully integrated system is being delivered under a very unique Master Systems Integrator (MSI) alliance approach, assuring all systems providers are in lockstep for a seamless operation.

The New Terminal One, the consortium developing and operating the new terminal and systems, is led by Ferrovial, JLC Infrastructure, Ullico and Carlyle.

Nick Haines, VP Americas for ADB SAFEGATE, said, “Our scope of work involves a complete apron management system bringing a new level of intelligence and automation to provide the most efficient and safest ramp operation in America, and among the very best in the world.”

Simon Gandy, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for The New Terminal One, said, “Passenger experience and efficient operations are key priorities for our future operating business. They support our ambition to transform international travel to New York and the United States and to be ranked among the top airport terminals in the world. We are pleased to be working with ADB SAFEGATE to ensure our airside operations are safe and efficient and that through improved information sharing and decision making, our community of customer and stakeholders and ultimately our future travelers will benefit from this investment in technology.”

The integrated solutions that will be delivered to The New Terminal One are part of ADB SAFEGATE’s Airside 4.0 vision, which aims to provide innovative solutions to boost efficiency, safety, and sustainability in airports worldwide. With their apron management system, ADB SAFEGATE is driving forward their commitment to shaping the future of airside operations.

Learn more about the New Terminal One at JFK International Airport

McFarland Johnson Begins Construction at Greater Binghamton Airport

Kim Stevens

Photo above – Greater Binghamton Airport Groundbreaking. From left to right: Lea Webb, NYS Senator, 52nd District; Donna A. Lupardo, Assemblywoman, District 123; Jason Garner, Broome County Executive; Adam Green, Vice President, LeChase Construction Services: Rob Aikens, President, Binghamton-Oneonta Building Trades Council; Chad Nixon, President, McFarland Johnson; Mark Heefner, CM, Broome County Commissioner of Aviation.

McFarland Johnson has announced the start of construction on the Greater Binghamton Airport terminal modernization project. McFarland Johnson is providing terminal planning, environmental reviews, program financial planning, and engineering design along with construction administration, grant administration, and program management for this over $47.8M project transforming the passenger terminal building at the Airport.

Chad Nixon, President, McFarland Johnson speaks at the Greater Binghamton Airport Groundbreaking Ceremony sharing the importance the airport improvements are to the community and growth in the area.

A special ground-breaking ceremony was held on January 25, 2024, to commemorate the beginning of this major terminal renovation at Greater Binghamton Airport. McFarland Johnson (MJ) joined Broome County and Airport officials along with other community leaders and project team members for the groundbreaking.

“Our employee owners are proud to be a part of this community and this project. We have a vested interest in the growth and sustainability of Greater Binghamton Airport and Broome County,” shared Chad Nixon, President, McFarland Johnson. “These improvements and this project will support hundreds of jobs in the community and the region. Regional airports like the Greater Binghamton Airport provide a connection to the world which is critical for economic growth.”

Greater Binghamton Airport rendering of new terminal.

Components of the project, including the renovation of approximately 45,000 square feet of existing terminal space. The design incorporates sustainability features such as a significant expansion to the existing geothermal well field at the Airport to provide cooling for the entirety of the new building. In addition, the new 2-lane exterior roadway canopy has been designed to enable the future installation of solar panels for additional energy production. The renovated portion of the terminal building was also designed to meet current building and energy code requirements.

Other modernizations include construction of three entry portals, improvements to the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, a larger 6,000 square foot holdroom with two passenger boarding bridges, and the repurposing of space for the construction of a new general aviation terminal on the eastern side of the building.

In addition, other components will include the construction of a new multi-purpose room, improvements to motor vehicle approach to the airport, and the installation of new equipment within the airport parking lots. The project design also incorporates a new TSA passenger screening checkpoint layout.

Click here for additional information on this project. Construction is scheduled for completion in the Winter 2025.

Volocopter Dazzles with First Flight in New York City

Kim Stevens

Volocopter, the pioneer of urban air mobility (UAM), completed its first flight test at the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) in New York City (NYC) with its crewed Volocopter 2X. Hosted by the Mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the Volocopter 2X participated in the world’s largest and first public event showcasing multiple electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in a city. Volocopter has now successfully and safely conducted flights in the heart of two of the busiest metropolitan hubs of the world, NYC and Singapore. The success of this flight is an affirmation of the company’s skillfulness to bring safe, quiet, and sustainable UAM to megacities worldwide.

With the iconic Lower Manhattan skyline and the Brooklyn Bridge in the background, the Volocopter 2X electric air taxi flew in a smooth and quiet manner. Volocopter’s multicopter design is particularly suited for urban missions, producing zero emissions in flight and little noise pollution in a busy metropolis like NYC.

As part of the public showcase, the City of New York outlined a new vision for the future of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, seeking to reduce emissions, noise pollution, and improve the residents’ quality of life. It aims to reshape heliports such as DMH to accommodate eVTOL aircraft to diversify the city’s mobility options to reduce congestion, while still meeting the transport needs of one of the busiest cities in the world.

“The Adams Administration has been a leader in driving technology innovation and economic growth while simultaneously improving quality of life,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “EDC’s new strategy for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport reflects these priorities while making it an industry leader in the embrace of eVTOLS – a quieter and greener helicopter alternative – while at the same time facilitating maritime freight with last mile e-bike deliveries that takes trucks off the roads.”

“A New York City flight has always been on Volocopter’s mind when designing an eVTOL that could be safe and quiet enough to fly its busy skies,” said Christian Bauer, Managing Director of Volocopter. “Our flight in NYC proves that we have everything required to make this emerging technology flourish in this city. This event was an amazing opportunity to showcase how electric air taxis can elevate the quality of life in a city that never sleeps. We are confident this will open doors to air taxi commercial operations in more cities in the U.S., and we look forward to flying again soon in the Big Apple”.

In 2018, Volocopter conducted its maiden U.S. flight in Las Vegas. Since then, it has flown in Oshkosh, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Tampa, and now in NYC. Volocopter expects to receive a final certification of its commercial eVTOL aircraft, the VoloCity, from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2024. The company is also in the concurrent validation process with the FAA, which was submitted in 2020, and has been working with both authorities to bring urban air mobility to life.

$49 Million in State Funding Announced for Airports Across New York State

Kim Stevens

Thirty-six public-use airports across New York State will receive approximately $49 million for strategic infrastructure enhancements that will enhance safety, facilitate innovation, leverage existing resources, advance business development, and promote sustainability and resiliency.

Administered by the New York State Department of Transportation, projects funded through the Aviation Capital Grant Program include the construction and rehabilitation of new and existing hangars, electrification and carbon reduction programs, new and upgraded snow removal equipment, and updated security systems. These investments will serve to make the surrounding communities more economically competitive with neighboring states.

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul has once again shown that she understands that critical investments in transportation will cement New York’s place as a leader in global commerce and tourism. These targeted investments will support projects that will have a positive, long-lasting impact on the local communities while improving the resiliency of our transportation infrastructure.”

Funding from the Aviation Capital Grant Program was awarded to the following projects:

CAPITAL DISTRICT – $8.8 million

Albany International Airport, Albany County – $1.6 million toward the rehabilitation, safety overhaul, and energy efficiency modernization of existing elevators located in the existing terminal area and north parking garage elevators.

Columbia County Airport, Columbia County – $2.4 million toward terminal building upgrades addressing the existing facilities’ age and energy inefficiencies by rehabilitation and replacement improvements to many of the existing components within the terminal area space, hangar, and pilots’ lounge.

Saratoga County Airport, Saratoga County – $1.5 million toward an emergency back-up generator to be run off the existing natural gas line.

Schenectady County Airport, Schenectady County – $0.9 million toward the procurement of snow removal equipment (SRE), specifically a dual engine high speed snowblower vehicle.

South Albany Airport, Albany County – $2.5 million toward addressing the demand for covered hanger space including the construction of a pre-engineered metal T-hanger as well as the installation of a pre-engineered, covered shade hangar.

CENTRAL NEW YORK – $5.5 million

Cortland County Airport, Chase Field, Cortland County – $2.5 million toward the construction of a new conventional aircraft storage hangar building including offices and an expansion of the existing landside vehicle parking lot.

Oswego County Airport, Oswego County – $0.5 million toward the acquisition of aviation fuel trucks.

Syracuse Regional Airport, Onondaga County – $2.5 million toward the construction phase of a redesigned de-icing pad and control center to address current capacity and safety concerns.

FINGER LAKES – $8.6 million

Finger Lakes Regional Airport, Seneca County – $2.3 million toward the construction of a T-hangar building consisting of eight to ten bays for the storage of airport-based aircraft, including concrete foundations and floors, new lighting, power outlets, and bi-fold doors.

Frederick Douglass Great Rochester Regional Airport, Monroe County – $1.1 million toward airport electrification and carbon reduction through a program that can help eliminate the fossil-fuel powered equipment and vehicles and manage airport growth and electrical demand.

Genesee County Airport, Genesee County – $2.5 million toward the construction of a storage facility for snow removal equipment (SRE) including the building, utilities, paved access, and associated site improvements.

Penn Yan Airport, Yates County – $2.3 million toward the construction of an eight-bay T-hangar including access pavement, drainage improvements, and security gate improvements.

Williamson-Sodus Airport, Wayne County – $0.4 million toward the removal of airport obstructions, T-hangar improvements, electrical vehicle chargers, and pavement rehabilitation.

LONG ISLAND – $1 million

Republic Airport, Suffolk County – $1 million toward safety and electrification; adding a snow removal broom to the airport’s equipment fleet, replacement of airfield mowers with autonomous, electric powered mowers, and to add electric vehicle charging stations to the main terminal parking lot.

MID-HUDSON – $1.5 million

Hudson Valley Regional Airport, Dutchess County – $0.2 million toward the purchase of two electric mowers capable of maintaining the airfield turf areas, and the purchase of two electric support vehicles for on-airport operations travel.

Orange County Airport, Orange County – $1.4 million toward expanding the visual area and technological capabilities of the existing security and surveillance system consisting of upgrading existing security cameras, adding new security cameras, replacing existing keypads at automated gates and providing remote access technology, chain link fencing, and gates.

MOHAWK VALLEY – $4.5 million

Fulton County Airport, Fulton County – $2 million toward the removal and replacement of two existing underground aviation fuel tanks including the existing fuel dispensing system with a new fuel farm to include two above ground state-of-the-art fuel tanks and the associated self-serving dispensing systems.

Griffiss International Airport, Oneida County – $2.5 million toward renovating and outfitting existing building to accommodate Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation’s expansion who will be leasing the building long term.

NORTH COUNTRY – $7.7 million

Adirondack Regional Airport, Franklin County – $1 million toward the completion of the town hangar and will include upgraded electric service, lighting, installation of a heating system, insulation, painting of the structural steel, replacement of metal roofing and siding, new liner panels, new windows, and new personnel doors

Floyd Bennett memorial Airport, Warren County – $2.3 million toward the removal of an existing dilapidated T-hangar and the construction of a new six-unit T-hangar in the same location.

Massena International Airport, St. Lawrence County – $0.1 million toward the purchase of a batwing trailed mower and a snow removal support vehicle consisting of a commercial grade pick-up truck with material spreader and plow blades.

Piseco Airport, Hamilton County – $0.1 million toward the acquisition of a skid steer for multipurpose maintenance.

Plattsburgh International Airport, Clinton County – $2.0 million toward a new eight-bay T-hangar with office space, including improved access pavement, site drainage modifications, and pavement markings.

Watertown International Airport, Jefferson County – $2.1 million toward the rehabilitation of a portion of Hangar D to extend its useful life including reinforcing the building envelope to reduce areas where deficiencies were identified.

SOUTHERN TIER – $5.1 million

Corning-Painted Post Airport, Steuben County – $0.3 million toward the acquisition of an excavator with attachments for ground maintenance.

Elmira Corning Regional Airport, Chemung County – $0.8 million toward the acquisition of electrified equipment and associated charging infrastructure.

Greater Binghamton Airport/Edwin A. Link Field, Broome County – $0.8 million toward acquisition of several pieces of ground service equipment (GSE) including electric vehicles in the form of pushback tractor/tugs (large and small) in order to prepare for an electric fleet in a strategic manner.

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, Tompkins County – $1.4 million toward the construction of a 2,600 sq.ft. Emergency Operations facility that would be co-located within a proposed Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting/Snow Removal Equipment (ARFF/SRE) facility which is being funded by FAA.

Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport, Chenango County – $0.6 million toward the acquisition of a new snow removal equipment vehicle (snowplow), and attachments including snowplow and wing combination, and slide-in hopper with spreader for deicing and traction materials.

Tri-Cities Airport, Broome County – $1.2 million toward the replacement of the existing refueling facility and the installation of new fuel tanks as well as a new self-service credit card reader and tank monitoring system.

WESTERN NEW YORK – $6.3 million

Buffalo Niagara International Airport, Erie County – $2.2 million toward the purchase and installation of two replacement passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) with new pre-conditioned air (PCA) units and ground power units (GPUs) for Gates 8 and 22 at the BUF passenger terminal.

Chautauqua County Dunkirk Airport, Chautauqua County – $0.5 million toward the replacement of two existing bi-fold hangar doors with new electric bi-fold doors.

Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport, Chautauqua County – $1.1 million toward the improvement of existing commercial space within the airport terminal building, replacement of a rapid heating system in an existing hangar, and the replacement of an existing security camera system in and around the terminal.

Niagara Falls International Airport, Niagara County – $1.3 million toward the procurement of 10 pieces of equipment to enhance the safety and efficiency of snow removal operations and wildlife management.

LeRoy Airport, Genesee County – $0.8 million toward the rehabilitation of existing asphalt taxiways, taxi lanes, aprons, and the vehicle parking area, as well as fuel farm rehabilitation including replacing pumps, hoses, and nozzles.

Wellsville Municipal Airport, Allegany County – $0.5 million toward the demolition/removal of the existing north hangar roof and the installation of a new insulated metal roof system with new gutters and downspouts.

Funding was awarded to projects through a competitive solicitation process and rated based on established criteria including economic benefits for surrounding communities and businesses; adherence to regional economic development plans; safety improvements; improved operational efficiency; and energy efficiency and emissions reduction. The New York State Department of Transportation is committed to working with local project sponsors to expedite the delivery of these improvements.

Calio Honored at Vaughn College Annual Gala

Kim Stevens

Airlines for America (A4A) President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio was honored at Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology’s spring 2023 gala. Vaughn College, a private college in New York, specializes in aviation education and is a pipeline to many A4A member carriers.

Nicholas Calio

“I am honored and humbled to celebrate Vaughn College because I believe in what Vaughn does, what it stands for and what it produces,” Calio said. “You are training future pilots, mechanics and air traffic controllers, who will help keep the U.S. aviation safety record the gold standard in the world.”

As a first-generation college graduate, Calio addressed the opportunities higher education provides and the importance of Vaughn’s workforce pipeline.

“Vaughn College does an exceptional job of instilling the same message my parents instilled in me – the value of working hard to turn dreams into reality,” he said.

Calio specifically addressed Vaughn’s Student Experience Fund, a program that provides hands-on, off-campus learning experiences for students to connect with potential employers and alleviates some of the financial burden to allow students to accept internships that lead to careers in the aviation industry. He praised the program as a key driver of the institution’s incredible 92 percent career placement rate for graduates.

The U.S. airline industry is aggressively recruiting and investing in the ‘next generation’ of employees amid surging demand for air travel. In fact, they have helped launch more than 100,000 careers since 2020 from increasingly diverse backgrounds.

“A4A member carriers are recruiting aggressively and investing heavily in the ‘next generation’ of employees. That is why A4A and our carriers are proud to partner with educational institutions that are helping students reach their career goals in the aviation industry,” Calio said.

Today, more than 90% of Americans have flown commercially in their lifetime – a percentage that continues to grow amid unprecedented accessibility and affordability. This is why U.S. carriers are committed to supporting institutions, like Vaughn College, that help secure a pipeline of talent for years to come.

One Man’s Passion Inspires the Power of Flight for Local School Kids

Kim Stevens

Jaime Gates remembers the moment he knew he wanted to become a pilot. It was a summer trip in 1997, 12-year-old Jaime and his Boy Scouts of America troop got to tour New York’s LaGuardia Airport. The up-close perspective of the aircraft made an ever-lasting impression on him.

Jaime beams with pride for the partnership he helped create between American and the school.

“As soon as I went up to the air traffic control tower and watched the planes land and take off — I was hooked,” he said. Today, Jaime works with 12-year-old (and younger) students in his free time to help them realize their dreams of working in the aviation industry.

He strives to inspire young people in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York, to soar to new heights by sharing his passion for aviation because he knows how access is the key to igniting the spark that can shape their futures.

Jaime pursued his passion for flying after he graduated college in Charlotte, North Carolina, continuing his journey into aviation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. When the recession hit in 2008, Jaime knew he had to put his aspirations of becoming a pilot on hold to meet his financial needs. He decided to pursue a career in computer science for more immediate stability and joined American as a Customer Service Manager in 2011, giving him the opportunity to work in the industry he loves.

“I knew I wanted to be a pilot very early on, but there weren’t many resources for me at the time,” Jaime said. “I had no idea what path to take, and I didn’t have a mentor to guide me on my journey “… that along with creating more financial stability is why I had to set my dreams aside.”

Jaime poses with his mother, Lena Gates, during the unveiling of the American-branded aviation program at McNair.

Jaime’s mother, Dr. Lena Gates, has been the principal of the Ronald E. McNair Public School 5 in Brooklyn for more than 30 years. She was inspired to start an aviation program at her elementary school as she watched Jaime’s love for aviation grow.

Jaime recalled sitting down with his mom and thinking through the barriers he faced in embarking on his own pilot career, wondering how they could better support students’ journeys into aviation and what hurdles they could help flatten?

They started with access. If you can see yourself there, you can be there. “We begin to dream as early as elementary school,” Jaime said. “So, if we provide the seed at the early stages of students’ liv es, they may plant their roots and grow a career in aviation.”

At a management meeting in April 2022, Jaime and his fellow team members were called on by American Airlines leadership to be intentional and impactful by reaching out to underrepresented communities to search for its next generation of aviators.

“That’s when the light bulb went off for me. I boldly asked if American would be open to supporting the aviation program at my mother’s school,” Jaime said. “Everyone was on board and wanted to get started immediately — and I was absolutely thrilled.”

In October 2022, the American Airlines Aviation Recruiting team and New York Flight office partnered with the Ronald E. McNair Public School 5 to rebrand the school’s aviation center. American is helping the school expose its students to the power of flight at an early age and encouraging them to dream big.

“When the students look up, they see themselves represented around the classroom. And when they have questions, pilots from the American’s New York Flight office frequently visit to provide mentorship and support them,” Jaime said.

Jaime said the most important reason for connecting American Airlines to the school is to expose the students to a profession they might not see as available. “This career path has the potential to change generational recurrences and the trajectory of many families in my hometown,” he said. “With the achievable pathway laid out by the American Airlines Cadet Academy, students can graduate high school and streamline into the commercial industry.”

American Airlines Cadet Academy Cadet Jaime Gates has a passion for planes. Here he poses with aircraft at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

After putting his dream on hold 10 years ago, the passion in the eyes of the students at his mom’s school reignited Jaime’s dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot. He applied and was recently accepted into the American Airlines Cadet Academy program. Now he’s back on course to live out his dream of becoming a pilot.

“It’s like all the stars aligned for me, and I’ve been on cloud nine from the moment I first approached American with the idea. To see American come into the classroom and help support my mother’s school and to now live out my own dream, it’s so special to see it all come together.”

His next goal is to focus on becoming a commercial pilot while continuing to give back to communities and expand his reach to surrounding areas that need support and mentorship.

Through the support of American Airlines, the program has reached new heights in its community and is paving the way for generational success. Watch the unveiling of the aviation center:

Blade Air Mobility and BETA Technologies Complete Historic Electric Vertical Aircraft Flight in New York

Kim Stevens

Blade Air Mobility, Inc. and BETA Technologies and supporting charging infrastructure, recently announced the successful completion of a historic test flight of BETA’s ALIA-250 EVA at the Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York. The flight marks the first test of a piloted EVA in the greater New York City area and is a significant milestone in the companies’ continued partnership to bring safe, quiet, and sustainable air transportation to commuter and commercial customers.

“This is a historic moment for Blade, New York and the urban air mobility industry,” said Rob Wiesenthal, Chief Executive Officer of Blade. “This demonstration is a big milestone in our transition from helicopters to electric vertical aircraft, and we are pleased that our partners at BETA have designed the right aircraft with the requisite range, capacity, and noise profile, for use in our key markets, including our homebase of New York City. We are confident EVAs will be a game-changer both for our company and New York City’s transportation system once certified by the FAA.”

“Blade is flying passengers in key urban markets all over the world, and this flight is another step toward delivering our electric aircraft to support those operations,” said Kyle Clark, BETA’s Founder and CEO. “We continue to progress our aircraft, flying real-life missions and gaining proficiency in the national airspace. We were glad to be able to fly here from our flight test facility in Plattsburgh to work with Blade to operationalize our partnership.”

The ALIA-250 aircraft is powered by an all-electric propulsion system with vertical takeoff and landing capability and a noise profile that is 1/10th the sound decibel level of conventional helicopters, making it ideal for use in urban areas. The aircraft can fly up to six people and features a sleek and modern design with a range of features to ensure the highest levels of safety and comfort.

During the flight, the ALIA-250 flew alongside a conventional helicopter before pulling away for a second pass above the airport to highlight the dramatic noise reduction.

In April 2021, Blade announced a agreement to facilitate the purchase of up to 20 of BETA’s first passenger-configured ALIA-250 aircraft by its network of operators. Blade intends to deploy these initial aircraft on routes between its network of dedicated terminals in the US. BETA has also agreed to provide and install charging infrastructure at certain key locations.

Over the past three years, BETA has demonstrated reliably strong performance with its two full-scale prototype aircraft, accomplishing significant milestones toward certification and commercialization. BETA also had test pilots from the U.S. Air Force and Army fly the ALIA-250 in full-pattern evaluations in March 2022 and July 2022, respectively, marking the branches’ first-ever flight of an electric vertical aircraft and the industry’s first manned qualitative evaluations. BETA has also partnered with the FAA and the National Institute for Aviation Research to conduct the first-ever 50-foot drop tests of its full-scale battery packs, successfully completing the test and advancing the industry’s path to safety standards and certification.

SBA Announces Newest Associate Team Member

Kim Stevens

Steven Baldwin Associates has announced the addition of Matthew Boemi as its newest team member.

Matt Boemi

Boemi is joining SBA as an airport program director and will manage the execution of Syracuse Hancock International Airport’s (SYR) capital improvement program.

Boemi comes to SBA from the Port Authority of NY & NJ, aviation department, and his most recent position as Senior Program Manager of the LaGuardia AirTrain program, found him responsible for the leadership, oversight and delivery of a $2B program. SBA regards Matt as a true asset to both the firm and the SYR program due to his abilities to manage strategic projects, oversee the creation and execution of technical work, and analyze complex programs.

Boemi received his bachelor’s degree from Miami University, where he double majored in environmental policy and planning as well as Italian studies. He also received his Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania and a Project Leadership certificate from Cornell University.

Hidden Level and Saab Continue UAS Research Work With the FAA

Kim Stevens

Hidden Level, Inc. continues to support the FAA’s Airport Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Detection and Mitigation Research Program, both independently and as a partner to Saab, Inc. Efforts in this area began in 2018 when the FAA Reauthorization Act was signed into law Oct. 5, 2018. The act extends FAA’s funding and authorities through Fiscal Year 2023 and includes important legislative changes related to increasing the safety and pace of UAS integration.

The FAA first announced an effort to test and evaluate technologies and systems that could detect and mitigate potential safety risks posed by unmanned aircraft at and near airports in August of 2020. Five airports were selected for participation in the testing program, including Syracuse Hancock International Airport.

Hidden Level deployed its Airspace Monitoring Service for evaluation as a standalone solution as well as a complementary technology to Saab’s SAFE Airport Event Management system in the spring of 2022. The FAA’s UAS detection and mitigation research is expected to continue through 2023. The results from this testing and evaluation effort will be used to assist with planning for certifying, permitting, or authorizing UAS detection and mitigation technologies at airports around the country.

Hidden Level HL1000 installation at SYR.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the number of drone threats, many of these at airports. We are honored to participate in this crucial research program to provide additional tools to keep the National Airspace System safe,” says Jeff Cole, Hidden Level CEO. “Airspace Monitoring Service is a scalable solution for major airports considering drone security.”

Hidden Level’s Airspace Monitoring Service (AMS) offers an additional level of situational awareness, providing a very robust surveillance picture. Using passive RF technology, sensors interpret a 3D location, classification, and other identifiers to provide UAS and operator geolocation data. With drone surveillance integration, airport operators can manage drone threats in the same way they manage other high-impact events at their airport.

Hidden Level and Saab are both headquartered in Syracuse, NY. The UAS research being done at Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a great example of how Central New York has become one of the premier UAS technology hubs in the world.