Today, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) released its report of general aviation aircraft shipments and billings through the second quarter of 2021. Piston, turboprop, business jet and helicopter deliveries increased across all segments during the first six months of 2021 as compared to the same period of 2020. “Through the first six months of […]
State News
Veteran Air Traffic Controllers Rich Santa and Andrew LeBovidge Take Office as New NATCA President and Executive VP
For the first time since 2009, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has a new president leading the Union that represents nearly 20,000 highly skilled air traffic controllers, engineers, and other aviation safety-related professionals. Rich Santa, a veteran air traffic controller from Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZDC), who has served on NATCA’s […]
McClung Named Aviation Director for Iowa DOT
The Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT) has announced that Tim McClung has been named Aviation Director for the Iowa DOT’s Modal Transportation Bureau. He has been part of the Iowa DOT since 2003 and brings over 25 years of aviation and transportation professional experience that includes airport management, fixed-base operator, airport commissioner, commercial pilot […]
Beechcraft Denali Moves Closer to First Flight with Successful Ground Engine Runs
Textron Aviation announced it has successfully completed initial ground engine runs on the prototype Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop powered by GE Aviation’s new advanced Catalyst engine. The ground engine runs, which took place at Textron Aviation’s west campus in Wichita, Kansas, verified the functionality of the fuel system and engine, as well as the interface […]
Piper Aircraft Receives EASA Approval of Pilot 100i
Piper Aircraft, Inc. has been awarded approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the value priced, Pilot 100i. The Pilot 100i enters the trainer segment at a competitive price point of $298,900 IFR equipped and offers the same rugged durability and functionality as its stablemate, the Archer TX. “This milestone certification represents a […]
Mente Group Promotes Jim Lewis to Senior Managing Director
Mente Group has promoted 46-year aviation veteran Jim Lewis to Senior Managing Director. His experience ranges from early days as a freight and charter pilot and regional airline captain, to chief pilot, flight department manager, sales demonstration pilot, sales manager, director, and vice president. Before joining Mente Group in 2016, Lewis’ sales and marketing tenure […]
North Carolina Division of Aviation Signs on With Virginia FIX
The Virginia Department of Aviation has signed the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Aviation as the first state to collaborate, coordinate and disseminate information as a user of the Virginia Flight Information Exchange. NCDOT-Division of Aviation’s plan is to create and develop a FIX system for its state. “VA-FIX demonstrates great innovation and […]
Yuma Airport Awards Contract to Rehabilitate Apron Areas
Yuma International Airport has announced the award of a $2,492,820.50 construction contract to local Yuma contractor Cemex Construction Materials South, LLC to construct improvements necessary to rehabilitate several general aviation aircraft apron areas on the civilian side of the airport. Yuma International Airport awarded the project’s design and construction oversight contracts to Nicklaus Engineering, Inc., […]
First Vaccine Drone Delivery Program Demonstrated in Winston-Salem
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and its healthtech business enterprise operated through the Innovation Quarter, iQ Healthtech Labs, are taking COVID-19 vaccination efforts to new heights with drone deliveries – the first COVID-19 vaccine drone delivery program in the country. This new initiative – operated by UPS and its subsidiary, UPS Flight Forward– expands Atrium […]
Virginia Aviation Awards Banquet Held on National Aviation Day
The 47th Annual Virginia Aviation Conference was held at The Main in Norfolk, August 17-20, 2021. The conference provided an opportunity for DOAV staff, Airport Managers and Sponsors, and Virginia Aviation Board Members to discuss important issues dealing with Virginia’s airports and the air transportation system. National Aviation Day 2021 was August 19 and the […]




