Auburn University is reaching for the stars again with the announcement of the hiring of Derek Tournear, former director of the Space Development Agency (SDA), as its inaugural director of space innovation. The position, which will be located in Auburn’s Washington D.C.-based office, will report to Jonathan Pettus, executive director of Auburn’s Applied Research Institute […]
State News
ALDOT Aeronautics Bureau Carefully Coordinates Process to Grow Alabama Airports
Photo above – The Aeronautics Bureau’s meeting with consultants on August 13, 2025. The ALDOT Aeronautics bureau grant program does more than distribute funds, it carefully coordinates a process that helps Alabama’s airports grow and meet the needs of their local communities. At the heart of this effort is the annual airport funding cycle. Developed […]
UTEP Engineers Seek to Translate the Mysteries of Bird Flight into Aircraft
Have you ever wondered how birds can soar gracefully through the air for long periods without flapping their wings? The answer lies in temperature, wind patterns and the way air moves up and down in the atmosphere. A coalition that includes researchers from The University of Texas at El Paso are using these insights from […]
Senator Collins Announces More Than $14 Million for Airport Improvements Across Maine
U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that multiple Maine airports will receive a total of $14,262,173 to support important infrastructure improvements. The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program and the Airport Improvement Program (AIP), made possible by the Infrastructure Investment […]
“Yellow Rose” Stops at Centennial
The “Yellow Rose”, the christened name of the vintage B-25J Mitchell WWII bomber, is once again touring the American skies. The bomber is completely restored to its wartime capabilities and is operated by the Commemorative Air Force Central Texas Wing. Photographer Griffey Bostock took advantage of the aircraft’s recent stop at Centennial Airport in Englewood, […]
N.M. Delegation Welcomes Over $21 Million to Improve New Mexico’s Airports
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $21,239,759 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for upgrades at airports across New Mexico. These grants are funded by Congress through the FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant Program and the […]
McFarland Johnson Welcomes Gavin Fahnestock as Regional Planning Manager – Aviation
McFarland Johnson (MJ) has announced that Gavin Fahnestock has joined McFarland Johnson as Regional Planning Manager in its Aviation Division. Mr. Fahnestock is based in Melbourne, Florida and will focus on MJ’s growing airport and aviation consulting practice in the Southeastern United States. As a Regional Planning Manager, Mr. Fahnestock will lead a diverse team […]
AIR Expands eVTOL Flight Operations in Florida Following FAA Airworthiness Certificate Issuance
AIR has announced that its latest US-based eVTOL prototype has successfully received FAA Experimental Airworthiness Certification, a key step in the company’s mission to bring electric aviation to everyday life. This certification accelerates AIR’s flight testing at its facility near West Palm Beach, Florida, marking a significant milestone in the company’s expansion to the US. […]
The Oregon Department of Aviation Celebrates Completion of Major Cape Blanco State Airport Runway and Electrical Improvement Project
State and local officials joined the Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) for a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 21st to celebrate the completion of the extensive Runway and Electrical Improvement Project at Cape Blanco State Airport (5S6). This critical infrastructure upgrade significantly enhances safety, operational efficiency, and the long-term viability of this vital coastal aviation […]
Blackwell-Tonkawa Municipal Airport Completes Significant Improvements to Runway
The Blackwell-Tonkawa Municipal Airport’s Runway 17/35 has been widened and rehabilitated with a pavement overlay. The upgrades were necessary to improve safety, upgrade pavement conditions and meet federal standards. The new runway width is required to accommodate the number of larger aircraft with wider wingspans that utilize the airport located in north central Oklahoma, particularly […]




