By Katelyn Wade The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) closed out 2024 with significant achievements, advancing Oklahoma’s position as a leader in the aerospace and aviation industry. The December Commission meeting highlighted strategic investments, leadership transitions, and the celebration of successful events, setting the stage for an impactful 2025. Major Airport Infrastructure Investments […]
State News
MassDOT Receives $1M to Optimize Drone Use for Infrastructure Projects
The Aeronautics Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has received $1 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and authorized to accelerate innovation in highway transportation. This grant funding goes toward the second stage of a three-phase project, using Unmanned […]
Northern Plains UAS Test Site Partners with Tennessee DOT to Create Vantis-Like System
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) have announced a monumental partnership to develop a system like Vantis (North Dakota’s beyond-visual-line-of-sight system) in Tennessee, aimed at enhancing its UAS program over the next five years. NPUASTS provided a comprehensive proposal to assist in the planning, development, implementation, and […]
Aviation Businesses Finish Strong in 2024, Look for Continued Growth and Success in 2025
By Kim Stevens Photo above – Kinexis Consulting LLC, a New Jersey-based firm, established in 2016 performed well and met its goals in 2024. For three very diverse aviation businesses, 2024 had one thing in common – each performed well. “2024 has been a great year for us with a very strong 4th quarter,” […]
Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone Enables Drone Operational Zone
The Autonomy Institute has announced Ondas Holdings Inc. as a lead commercial partner within the Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone (IIEZ) on Texas State Highway 130 (SH130). The initial design will enable ten drone zones to support high-traffic regions between the Circuit of the Americas and Georgetown, Texas. These locations will support routine operations for inspections, […]
Sacramento County Department of Airports Releases RFQ for New Rental Car Facility
The Sacramento County Department of Airports (SCDA), which operates Sacramento International Airport (SMF), has announced the release of a request for qualifications (RFQ) to identify a private developer to partner with the County and its stakeholders to deliver a new, state-of-the-art consolidated rental-car facility (ConRAC). The project will include construction of a multi-level facility south […]
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 […]
8th Annual Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day Luncheon; The Women behind Oklahoma’s Largest Aviation Event
On Friday, December 6th, 2024, more than 1,300 people gathered on the northeast corner of Tulsa International Airport to celebrate the 8th Annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day Luncheon, honoring the trailblazing women who shaped Oklahoma’s early days in aviation and celebrating the success of today’s most influential aviation leaders from across the […]
IADA Foundation Awards Scholarships and Grants to 25 Future BizAv Leaders
The International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) Foundation has awarded 25 grants and scholarships to boost the industry’s next generation of business aviation leaders. The learning opportunities for these future aviation industry leaders represented approximately $100,000 from the foundation. Fourteen young resale professionals involved in IADA’s NextGen initiative were awarded grants for various resale industry opportunities. […]



