The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation has awarded grants of up to $5,000 each to 12 airports to host aviation and aerospace-themed summer academies for K-12 students. “We’re thrilled to partner with airports across the state to offer these academies,” said Nick Short, interim director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation. “Not only […]
North Carolina
NCDOT 2025 Aviation Art Contest Winners Announced
Artwork above – First place winner of the Senior Division: Catherine Park The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation has announced the winners of the 2025 North Carolina Aviation Art Contest, an annual competition designed to inspire and engage young people in aviation through artistic expression. This year’s contest, themed “Women With Wings,” encouraged […]
First Flight Society Introduces 2025 Board of Directors
The First Flight Society recently announced its Board of Directors for 2025. Paul Wright Jameson was elected as President, succeeding Mike Fonseca. Paul is a great-great nephew of Wilbur and Orville Wright. In addition, the Executive Committee was appointed as follows: The rest of the 2025 board consists of: Sara Lou Copeland, M. Roy Daniels, […]
Sullenberger Aviation Museum Embarks on New Era as President Stephen Saucier Announces Retirement
Board has launched nationwide executive search for successor to build on Saucier’s legacy of innovation, opportunity and accessibility After serving nearly eight years as president of Sullenberger Aviation Museum (SAM), Stephen Saucier has announced his plans to retire at the conclusion of the museum’s fiscal year. The SAM Board of Directors has launched a national […]
Memphis International and RDU Among Airports Recording Record Passenger Traffic in 2024
Memphis International Airport (MEM) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport are among U.S. airports recording record passenger numbers in 2024. MEM experienced a milestone year, highlighted by a record number of 4.9 million origin and destination (O&D) passengers traveling through the airport. These numbers reflected an increase of nearly 81,000 passengers compared to 2023. RDU finished strong […]
New NCDOT Report Says Aviation Industry Contributes $88 Billion Annually to State Economy
North Carolina’s aviation industry contributes $88 billion each year to the state’s economy and supports more than 427,000 jobs statewide, according to the 2025 North Carolina: The State of Aviation report. The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation released the report to highlight the industry’s substantial economic impact, and the vital role local airports […]
North Carolina to Develop Drone Program to Better Respond to Disasters like Helene, Florence
A federal grant awarded last week will enable state transportation officials to create a program that better guides the agency’s use of drones when it responds to natural disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Florence. The U.S. Department of Transportation announced the award of a $1.1 million grant to the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of […]
Aeronautics Director to Take On New Challenge as Division Engineer for NCDOT
Rebecca Gallas, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation Director, will be transitioning throughout December into her new role as Division Engineer for NCDOT Division 5. NCDOT’s Assistant Unit Head for Photogrammetry Nick Short, PE will serve as the interim Aviation Director. Moving up in NCDOT is a bittersweet transition for Gallas, whose […]
NC Universities and NCDOT Partner on Air Mobility and Drone Innovation
North Carolina is paving the way for a new era of air transportation. The N.C. Department of Transportation has formed the University Transportation Center of Excellence for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), bringing together top universities to redefine how we transport people and goods through innovative aviation technologies. This initiative brings […]
First Flight Society Announces 2024 Class of Honorary Members
The First Flight Society announces two new Honorary Lifetime Members: Dr Peggy Chabrian, the founder of Women in Aviation International and aerobatic national champion Michael Goulian. Dr. Chabrian is the founder of Women in Aviation International and was the first president from 1994 until September 2019. WAI is an organization dedicated to the advancement and […]
