On July 7, 2023, the Florida Court of Appeal handed down a significant ruling in favor of Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) providing aviation support services at municipal airports in Hillsborough County, Florida. The Court struck down a lower court ruling that subjected FBOs to ad valorem property taxes on leasehold interests at regional airports in […]
State News
Hawai’i DOT Lands Huge Federal Grant for Kahului Airport Upgrade
The HawaiÊ»i Department of Transportation (HDOT) will receive a $22 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to construct a new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Kahului Airport. The construction of a new two-story security screening checkpoint at the south end of the ticket lobby will house multiple TSA screening lanes. “Kahului Airport […]
NDOT Congratulates Wahoo Municipal Airport Runway Improvements
The Wahoo Municipal Airport celebrated the completion of its reconstructed runway, an improvement made possible through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant program. The AIP grant provided funding for a full reconstruction of Runway 2/20. The consultant for the project was Olsson out of Lincoln and the contractor was Paulsen, […]
Aeronautics Issues Red River Run Challenge to Pilots
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission launched their Fly Oklahoma mobile app last July and as part of their new challenge feature, they are announcing a new aeronautical challenge, the “Red River Run”. In celebration of National and Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day on August 19th, pilots are invited to complete the challenge by visiting at least […]
Florida Aviation Leader Hired by Woolpert to Direct General Aviation, Commercial Airport Projects
Aaron Smith, a longtime Florida Department of Transportation aviation manager, has joined Woolpert as a program director. With over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, Smith’s expertise in aviation system planning, airport development, program funding policy and allocation, and safety regulations specific to Florida will help Woolpert provide infrastructure and operational improvements for […]
How to End the National Pilot Shortage
By Trey Walters Travelers across the United States may have noticed an increase in flight delays and cancellations, as well as a reduction in the number of routes, but they might need to learn the cause behind these inconveniences. The airline industry is currently experiencing a massive pilot shortage that, if not resolved, could wreak […]
Kelly Heritage Foundation Grants $150,000 to Dee Howard Foundation for Futures in Drone Technology and AAM
Beginning this fall, more than 200 area middle and high schoolers will be well on their way to future careers in drone technology. As part of a two-year curriculum, students will learn assembly and repair, engineering and design, programming and operation of drone units. They will also learn about laws and ethics surrounding drone use […]
Greg Klein to Be Inducted Into 2023 South Dakota Transportation Hall of Honor
Greg Klein of Watertown has been chosen for induction into the South Dakota Transportation Hall of Honor for 2023. The purpose of the Transportation Hall of Honor is to recognize individuals who have made a lasting, valuable, or unique contribution to South Dakota’s air, highway, public transit, or rail transportation system. The Hall of Honor […]
Merlin Successfully Completes FAA-Contracted, Alaska-Based Flight Trials for Nation’s First Air Cargo Network Flown by a Non-Human Pilot
Merlin has announced it successfully completed 25 test flights in Alaska following a $1 million contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to demonstrate a highly automated flight control system in conjunction with a safety pilot. In partnership with the FAA-designated University of Alaska Fairbanks UAS Test Site and Everts Air Cargo, the test flights […]
Legislature Passes and Governor Signs AB58 Appropriating $2M In Nevada Fund for Aviation
The Nevada Aviation Association (NvAA) and its membership encouraged Nevada’s 82nd legislature to appropriate $2 Million for the Nevada Fund for Aviation (Fund). Assemblyman Bert Gurr, representing parts of Elko, Eureka, Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine Counties introduced legislation appropriating money for the Fund. The Fund helps rural counties meet local match requirements for Airport […]



