Artwork above – Intermediate 1st – Eva Meyer The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation announced the winners of the 2023 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest this week. The art contest is an annual competition hosted to inspire and engage young people in aviation. NCDOT received entries from 1,490 students in this year’s contest. […]
North Carolina
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Awarded $5 Million Grant for Improvements
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) FY2023 Airport Terminal Program is awarding Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) in New Bern a $5 million grant for terminal expansion and improvements. The improvements include the addition of two passenger boarding bridges, expansion of hold rooms, improvements to passenger and baggage screening and […]
FAA Validates Complaints Against Johnston County Airport Authority
The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Southern Region reviewed allegations made by Blue Line Aviation that the Johnston County Airport Authority, owner and operator of the Johnston County Airport (JNX), violated its Federal Grant Assurance obligations. Airports that are Federally Funded are subject to certain requirements to protect the investment of public dollars. The Johnston County […]
Blue Line Aviation Takes Delivery of Three More Diamond DA-40 NG Aircraft
Blue Line Aviation, an independent commercial pilot training school in Smithfield, North Carolina has grown the flight school’s fleet to 31 aircraft with the addition of three new Diamond DA-40 NG planes. Together, the new airplanes represent a $1.5 million (approximately) investment in education in Johnston County. This investment is just a small portion of […]
Golden LEAF Foundation Awards Funding to Coastal Carolina Regional Airport
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) recently received $753,700 in funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation as part of its Community-Based Grants Initiative. The funding will be used to extend public utilities and prepare land to serve a 90-acre Corporate Aerospace Development site planned at the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport. The end state of the project […]
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Hires New Operations Manager
Coastal Carolina Regional Airport (EWN) has hired Patrick Manzo as its new Airport Operations Manager. Manzo, who held the interim operations manager position, will be primarily responsible for Airfield and Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Operations. “We are excited to have Patrick in this position,” said Airport Director Andy Shorter. “He has a strong […]
Flytrex Partner, Causey Aviation Unmanned, to Begin Drone Delivery Operations Under Part 135 Certification
Flytrex announced its longtime partner Causey Aviation Unmanned (CAU) was granted Standard Part 135 Air Carrier Certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing Flytrex to operate and complete long-range on-demand commercial drone deliveries in the United States. This milestone comes after years of rigorous training and testing verifying that Flytrex’s drone delivery service maintains […]
NC Division of Aviation Director to Retire May 1st
Bobby Walston, Division of Aviation Director for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, announced that he will be retiring this Spring. “It is with a mix of both excitement and sadness that I write to let you know I plan to retire on May 1, 2023,” noted Walston. In an email to colleagues and friends, […]
RDU Launches CLEAR Biometric Security Lanes
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and CLEAR launched biometrics identity verification technology Wednesday, bringing a frictionless and predictable travel experience to the Research Triangle region. CLEAR’s launch at RDU is expected to create 44 jobs and generate approximately $2.6 million in local economic activity every year. “RDU is proud to partner with CLEAR to provide travelers […]
Asheville Regional Airport Breaks Ground on New Air Traffic Control Tower
Asheville Regional Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration joined together Wednesday to break ground on a new air traffic control tower (ATCT). The new ATCT will replace the existing 62-year-old tower, which is one of the oldest in the country and is currently located within the airport terminal. The new ATCT is a $55 million […]




