State Aviation Journal – Page 2 – Your Best Source of State Aviation News

Lufthansa Celebrates 100 Years Since its First Flights in Berlin
It was a special date for Lufthansa and a special day for all the employees who have shaped the airline with the crane logo: Exactly 100 years ago on April 6, 1926 – Lufthansa (at that time: “Luft Hansa”) took to the skies on its first flights. On that day, two aircraft took off from […]
Lucid Bots Raises $20 Million to Accelerate the Buildout of America’s Leading Exterior Cleaning Platform
Lucid Bots has announced it has raised an oversubscribed $20 million Series B round co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners, with participation from Taylor Rhodes, WaterStone Impact Fund, and Front Porch Ventures, in addition to existing investors. The raise brings total funding to $34 million and will be used to scale the company’s […]
SAS Marks 80 Years with Anniversary Aircraft
SAS marks the start of its 80th year of operations with a specially painted Airbus A330-300, celebrating eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world. Throughout 2026, the airline will highlight its heritage and continued role in linking people, businesses and societies. The anniversary comes 80 years after SAS’s first intercontinental flight on September 17, […]
Textron Aviation Names Five 2026 Top Hawk Recipients as Program Enters Its Second Decade of Workforce Impact
Photo – Factory-new Cessna Skyhawks (Model 172) to take flight as Textron Aviation names five 2026 Top Hawk recipients—helping train the next generation of pilots Textron Aviation Inc., announced Brazos Valley Flight Services, Executive Air Taxi Corporation, Fairmont State University, Sterling Flight Training and Victors Aviation as its 2026 Top Hawk program recipients, continuing a […]

State News

The Lone Star Flight Museum to Host Houston Fleet Week Static Aircraft Display

The Lone Star Flight Museum is celebrating Fleet Week Houston by hosting the Fleet Week Navy Aircraft Display and offering free admission all weekend with generous support from ExxonMobil. The event will be held April 18 and 19, at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas. For the first time in Fleet Week history, Lone Star Flight Museum will host unique Navy, Coast Guard and Marine aircraft. The inaugural Fleet Week Houston will celebrate 250 years of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps with ships, aircraft, and over 1,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen visiting the city for memorable experiences and events. Featured aircraft include the F/A-18 Hornet, the T-45 Goshawk, the T-6B Texan II, the T-38 Talon, the TH-73A Thrasher, the T-54 Marlin II, and the CH-46 Sea Knight. The full aircraft roster is subject to change. Visitors will also enjoy the museum’s collection of aircraft, interactive exhibits, flight simulators, gift shop and Minuti Coffee. Check out the full Fleet Week Houston schedule Here. Parking is free. No outside food or drinks will be allowed. Security and bag check will be required of all visitors. Only clear bags 12x6x12 inches in size or smaller will be allowed into the museum for the duration of the aircraft display. No exceptions.
Oregon Airports to Receive More Than $27 Million in Federal Investment

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter announced last week that more than 25 Oregon airports will receive a combined federal investment of more than $27 million to make their infrastructure safer and better. “Oregonians rely on federal investments like these to support small businesses, emergency responses, and safe travel in communities across our state,” Wyden said. “I’ll keep battling for continued federal support for all airports in Oregon to keep our state’s residents and products moving smoothly and securely from point A to point B.” “Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “Investing in critical airport improvements such as terminals, runways, and more strengthens infrastructure across our state. I’ll keep fighting to secure critical federal funds for improving the efficiency and reliability of Oregon’s airports, benefitting the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.” “These investments across Oregon will help improve safety, modernize equipment and make these airports work better for everyone,” said Rep. Hoyle. “Reliability is essential for the economic growth of our coastal community. This funding is a win for the region.” “Ensuring our airports have the resources and funding they need is vital to the safety of everyone at the airport,” said Rep. Salinas. “This federal grant funding will help make them safer, more reliable, and better equipped to continue serving our local community for years to come.” “Federal investments like this are vital to keeping Oregon’s communities connected and our economy moving,” said Rep. Bynum. “This funding will expand travel access, boost local businesses, and strengthen our region’s ability to compete and grow. I will continue fighting to ensure our airports have the resources to thrive and better serve Oregonians.” “The Hood River airport is an important gateway for communities across the Columbia Gorge—supporting emergency response, local businesses, and regional connectivity. This is an important investment, and I am determined to do all I can to keep needed federal dollars coming to my district and supporting the success of our communities,” said Rep. Dexter. The awards from the federal Department of Transportation for the Oregon airports are as follows: $6.24 million combined to Mahlon Sweet Field in Eugene to rebuild 21,177 square feet of terminal Concourse A, including interiors and restroom rehabilitation, construction including HVAC and mechanical; expand terminal Concourse A by 9,893 square feet, including HVAC and mechanical systems, including interiors and restroom rehabilitation. $3.45 million to Roberts Field in Redmond to expand the terminal by 131,283 square feet $3.18 million combined to Mulino State Airport to reseal 3,340 linear feet of hangar taxilane pavement; reseal 9,645 square yards of tiedown apron pavement and joints; reseal 3,425 linear feet of runway pavement and joints, expand an existing non-exclusive use hangar for aircraft storage by 10,500 square feet $2.67 million to the Grants Pass Airport for new guidance signs., new lighting on taxiway edge lighting, extends paved runway by 13,294 feet, install runway end identifier lights system and precision approach path indicator system, extend taxiway by 870 feet in length $2 million to Rogue Valley International Airport in Medford to rebuild 8,000 square yards of apron pavement; rehabilitate 30,000 square yards of apron pavement; update the pavement management plan and pavement survey and study $947,435 combined to Brookings Airport to rebuild runway lighting, install a new airport rotating beacon, rebuild the precision approach path indicator system, rebuild the runway end identifier lights system, acquire and install new wind cone navigational aids to provide pilots, rebuild the runway end identifier lights system $850,000 to Albany Municipal Airport to reseal 3,004 feet of runway, rebuild runway end identifier lights system $800,254 combined to Joseph State Airport to acquire and install a new automated weather observing system, reseal 5,210 feet of runway pavement and joints; reseal 6,990 feet of taxiway pavement and joints $760,000 to Southwest Oregon Regional Airport in North Bend to build runway safety area $687,235 combined to Condon State Pauling Field to update the existing airport layout plan, reseal 1,030 feet of taxiway pavement; reseal 5,000 square yards of agriculture aircraft apron/pavement; reseal 830 feet of taxilane pavement $600,000 to Corvallis Municipal Airport to reseal 7,200 linear feet of taxiway pavement $534,000 to Ashland Municipal Airport to reseal 3,331 linear feet of taxilane pavement and joints; rehabilitate 131 linear feet of taxilane pavement; reseal 3,791 linear feet of runway pavement and joints $500,000 to the Oregon Department of Aviation to update the regional airport system plan, the pavement management plan and pavement study $490,224 combined to Chiloquin State Airport to reseal 4,190 square yards of apron pavement and joints, reseal 3,910 feet of runway pavement and joints $465,789 combined to Roseburg Regional Airport to rehabilitate 27,555 square yards of apron pavement; rehabilitate 5,003 feet of paved runway $439,810 to Lebanon State Airport to reseal 2,140 feet of taxiway pavement and joints; reseal 2,750 feet of runway pavement and joints $389,504 to Burns Municipal Airport to build a new 1,600-square-foot snow removal equipment building $360,000 to Astoria Regional Airport to extend taxiways by 1,350 feet in length to reduce delays $326,774 to Gold Beach Municipal Airport to reseal 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement; reseal 3,200 feet of runway pavement $300,000 to Ontario Municipal Airport to build a new helipad $300,000 to Baker City Municipal Airport to rebuild 500 feet of airport access road $300,000 to Crook County for the Prineville Airport to rehabilitate 5,404 linear feet of paved runway $285,000 to Crater Lake/Klamath Regional Airport in Klamath Falls to rehabilitate 9,888 square yards of apron pavement $220,000 to Ken Jernstedt Airfield in Hood River to reseal 175 feet of taxiway pavement, rehabilitate a tiedown apron and reseal 1,200 feet of apron taxilane $171,760 to Grant County Regional Airport in John Day to build a new fuel farm by adding a 15,000-gallon AvGas fuel tank and a 15,000-gallon Jet A fuel tank and self-service pumps and READ MORE

National News

CAN Appoints Aviation Pioneer Joan Sullivan Garrett to Board of Directors

Corporate Angel Network (CAN) has announced the appointment of Joan Sullivan Garrett to its Board of Directors. A pioneering entrepreneur and aviation medical innovator, Garrett is the Founder and Chairman of MedAire, a global leader in integrated medical, travel, and safety services for aviation and maritime industries. Since founding MedAire in 1985, she has been instrumental in developing real-time, ground-based medical support systems for in-flight emergencies—helping establish industry standards that continue to save lives worldwide. Joan Sullivan Garrett Garrett’s work has shaped how the aviation industry approaches passenger and crew health, with MedAire now supporting hundreds of airlines and thousands of aircraft globally. A widely recognized authority in aviation medicine and remote care, she has advised government agencies, testified before Congress, and contributed extensively to advancing health and safety protocols across the industry. “Joan is a true trailblazer whose career has been defined by innovation and a deep commitment to protecting and saving lives,” said Jean Rosanvallon, Chairman of the Corporate Angel Network Board of Directors. “Her unique perspective at the intersection of aviation and healthcare aligns seamlessly with CAN’s mission. We are excited to welcome her insight and leadership as we continue expanding access to life-saving treatment for cancer patients.” Garrett’s distinguished career includes service on numerous aviation and nonprofit boards, as well as numerous awards and honors, including the National Aeronautic Association Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, NBAA’s Meritorious Service to Aviation Award and inductions into the International Air and Space Hall of Fame, National Aviation Hall of Fame and Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Her longstanding dedication to improving safety, care, and access within aviation brings a powerful dimension to CAN’s work. “I am honored to join the Board of Corporate Angel Network and support its extraordinary mission,” said Garrett. “The ability to remove barriers to care—especially for patients facing serious illness—is both impactful and deeply meaningful. CAN’s work exemplifies how aviation can be used as a force for good, and I look forward to contributing to its continued growth and reach.” Garrett will be joining other CAN Board members, including: Michael Amalfitano, Embraer Executive Jets; W.W. (Bill) Boisture, Jr., AE Industrial Partners; Derek DeCross, Signature Aviation; Scott Donnelly, Textron; Dan Drohan, Solairus; Elise Eberwein, formerly American Airlines; Jennifer Leach English, AIN Publications; Patrick Gallagher, NetJets Aviation; Matthew Greene, Safe Flight Instrument; Jeannine Haas, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation; Dawne Hickton, Cumberland Additive; David Hurley, ALOFT Aero Architects; Ève Laurier, Bombardier; Wilson Leach, Aviation International News; Jean Rosanvallon (Chairman), formerly Dassault Falcon Jet; and Dr. Bret Schipper, Hartford HealthCare.
Lucid Bots Raises $20 Million to Accelerate the Buildout of America’s Leading Exterior Cleaning Platform

Lucid Bots has announced it has raised an oversubscribed $20 million Series B round co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners, with participation from Taylor Rhodes, WaterStone Impact Fund, and Front Porch Ventures, in addition to existing investors. The raise brings total funding to $34 million and will be used to scale the company’s commercial operations, expand its domestic manufacturing capacity in Charlotte, and accelerate the rollout of its RaaS offering Lucid Refresh — the company’s full-service subscription platform for exterior cleaning operators. “We’re on an ambitious journey to give software a body to do physically productive work that the world needs and become the USA’s leading supplier of modular drones and robots,” said Andrew Ashur, Founder and CEO of Lucid Bots. “This capital allows us to meet the massive market demand we’re seeing today while expanding our product offerings and accelerating our manufacturing and autonomy goals. The next 18 months will be transformative for our product roadmap and the industry at large.” Watch Video Launch of Lucid Refresh Lucid Bots builds the robots, software, and support infrastructure that professional cleaning operators deploy on their jobs. Where a cleaning company traditionally needs to choose between turning down high-value exterior work or taking on the capital, training, and operational burden of robotics themselves, Lucid Refresh gives them a third option: access to a complete autonomous cleaning capability, including the Sherpa cleaning drone, the newly launched Lavo AI autonomous pressure washing robot, Lucid Command fleet management software, operator training, job intelligence, and an equipment loaner guarantee, as a single ongoing subscription. The operator brings the contract, and Lucid delivers everything needed to fulfill it. “Our customers are running cleaning businesses,” said Vic Pellicano, President and Chief Platform Officer of Lucid Bots. “They don’t need a robot — they need a way to take on jobs they couldn’t do before, execute them better than the competition, and do it without betting their company on a capital purchase. That’s what we built. It’s less like buying equipment and more like adding a robotics division to your business that you can deploy on any job, any time.” A Platform Built on Operator Success Lucid Bots’ operator network has generated more than $75 million in exterior cleaning revenue using Lucid systems — a figure that reflects the core thesis behind the company’s model: that Lucid wins when its operators win. The Sherpa drone platform reduces job completion time by 2–5x, and operators report payback periods of less than two months. With approaching 1,000 robots now in active operator hands, and 93% of new business originating from inbound interest, the company generated as much revenue in 2025 as it did in its first seven years combined. The company’s customer base spans independent operators to enterprise-scale accounts including Disney, Sunbelt Rentals, and commercial facilities managers across the country. The Data Advantage No Competitor Can Close The Series B accelerates Lucid’s two flagship product lines. The Sherpa drone continues to expand its autonomous capabilities, and Lucid Bots recently launched Lavo AI, a fully autonomous pressure washing robot designed for unattended operation, complete with its own mobile app and proprietary cloud data layer. What makes both platforms genuinely different is not the hardware. It is the data behind them. Lucid Bots’ systems have now logged hundreds of thousands of hours of real-world exterior cleaning across building types, surface materials, weather conditions, and job configurations that no competitor can replicate. That operational dataset trains the AI systems embedded in every Lucid robot and improves with every job completed. The result is cleaning performance that compounds over time: Lucid robots clean more precisely, adapt more intelligently to job conditions, and produce more consistent results than any service relying on human judgment or a thinner data foundation ever could. Every new deployment makes the system smarter. Every hour logged extends a lead that started years ago and widens by the day. Both platforms are manufactured at the company’s 25,000-square-foot facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, a domestic manufacturing footprint that provides compliance advantages under federal mandates for US-built robotic systems and positions Lucid to serve the growing number of commercial and government customers who require it. “At Cubit Capital, we invest in companies with courageous leadership confronting meaningful societal challenges, and Lucid Bots represents exactly that,” said Philip Carson, Partner at Cubit Capital. “The labor crisis in industrial work is real, and Lucid has achieved genuine innovation with technology that empowers workers and creates safer workplaces. Their traction speaks for itself, and we’re excited to support a team that’s striving for redemptive outcomes by empowering workers rather than replacing them.” “What excites us about Lucid Bots is that this isn’t a single-product company. It’s a platform defining a new category,” said Lister Delgado, Managing Partner at Idea Fund Partners. “By building AI systems trained on more real-world cleaning data than anyone else in the industry, they’re creating a compounding advantage that will be difficult to replicate. When you pair that with US-based manufacturing and strong unit economics, Lucid is poised to become a defining leader in the next generation of industrial automation.” “The Lucid Sherpa drone has elevated our business to new heights opening doors and differentiating ourselves from the competition,” said Ryan Godwin, Owner of Godwin Facility Services. “We wouldn’t be where we are today without adding the Lucid Sherpa to our business.” Lucid Bots is a member of the NVIDIA Inception Program and is actively developing its AI and autonomy capabilities in partnership with NVIDIA.

International News

Tennessee Valley Authority Selects Tecnam P2012 SMP to Safeguard Power Grid for 10 Million People

Tecnam is proud to announce that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is successfully operating the Tecnam P2012 “Sentinel” Special Mission Platform (SMP) to protect and maintain its vast electricity grid. Equipped with cutting-edge Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and high-resolution multispectral cameras, the P2012 SMP is transforming how TVA evaluates threats to transmission lines across its network. LiDAR system – Credit : Megan Plotka The primary threat to the region’s power system—the backbone that allows local utility companies to provide electricity—comes from large trees and vegetation. To mitigate these risks, especially ahead of severe weather seasons, TVA utilizes the P2012 SMP to conduct an annual survey of its infrastructure. The advanced onboard systems create precise 3-D models of the earth’s surface and comprehensive topographical maps. The aerial program, fully implemented in 2025 following five years of research, has yielded staggering efficiency gains. While traditional ground crews can survey up to five miles of transmission corridors a day, a two-pilot crew in the P2012 SMP surveys approximately 450 miles a day—a 90-fold increase in productivity. Flying at 120 mph, the P2012 SMP captures data at an astonishing rate of three and a half acres per second. The system’s resolution is so powerful that it can zoom in on a single leaf, giving TVA unparalleled situational awareness to identify vegetation growing into the right-of-way before it causes an outage. Out of the TVA’s 16,500 miles of transmission lines, more than 5,000 miles are part of this critical vegetation management cycle. Pilot and operator at the console – Credit: Megan Plotka Francesco Sferra, Tecnam P2012 – Special Mission Platforms Sales & Business Development Manager, commented on the success of the program: “The P2012 SMP was engineered exactly for this kind of demanding, high-endurance aerial work. Seeing the TVA utilize the aircraft’s exceptional payload capacity, stability, and twin-engine reliability to seamlessly integrate complex LiDAR and camera systems is a true testament to the platform’s versatility. We are incredibly proud that Tecnam aircraft are playing a vital role in keeping the lights on for 10 million people while significantly enhancing the safety and efficiency of TVA’s operations.” The program not only protects critical infrastructure like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes from outages, but it also significantly reduces maintenance costs, allowing TVA to reinvest in infrastructure for fast-growing regions. “We’re able to inspect much faster, much safer, with a great level of detail,” added Will Sanders, TVA Right of Way Program Manager. “We really support our people so that they’re able to get out there and make decisions on what is a real threat.”
Aviation MRO Under Siege: How the Industry Is Defending Against Rising Cyber Threats

Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly important issue for both individuals and businesses. It is estimated that, on average, global organizations face nearly two thousand cyberattacks each week. Last year, the costs to businesses totaled $10.5 trillion, and this figure is projected to reach $15.63 trillion by 2029. Cyberattacks impact nearly every industry, including aviation. According to Thales’ report, the number of such threats increased by 600% between 2024 and 2025. With ransomware attackers targeting aircraft MRO as a primary focus, companies are stepping up and investing heavily in their cybersecurity tools. Attempts to investigate and control the IT infrastructure of aircraft MRO companies are on the rise. Unsurprisingly, the global aviation cybersecurity market grew to $11.3B in 2025 and is projected to reach $29.4B by 2034, with an annual growth rate of 11.2%. Aviation maintenance organizations are especially appealing to malicious actors due to the high level of operational decision-making and process complexity. By breaking into their security systems, attackers threaten to stop critical processes and disrupt the entire operations chain. The frequency of such attacks is further driven by AI-based social engineering, as reported AI-enabled cyber attacks increased by 47% worldwide in 2025. Lina Vaskelė “In aviation MRO, all systems are deeply interconnected. Various maintenance records, airworthiness data, supply chains, and operational schedules all influence each other. A single cyberattack doesn’t just target a single isolated point; it can spread throughout the entire infrastructure. If one part of the system fails, the risk quickly spreads to related processes and can cause consequences far beyond the initial target of the attack,” says Lina Vaskelė, Chief Risk and Security Officer at FL Technics, a global independent aircraft MRO service provider. The road to unified cybersecurity policy The international aircraft MRO community is working to establish consistent minimum standards across the industry. This is a crucial step for an industry that has historically had wide variation in cybersecurity maturity and has never implemented a unified cybersecurity policy. In 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking outlining required cybersecurity measures for aircraft, engines, and propellers. Similar initiatives are being undertaken in Europe as well. In February, the EASA directive Part-IS took effect, requiring organizations not only to have documented policies but also to demonstrate their effective implementation and readiness for oversight. There are also international efforts. The governing body of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recently updated its Cybersecurity Action Plan, which urges member states to incorporate cyber risk management into their safety oversight frameworks. “Such a unified regulatory step was unavoidable. As digitalization progresses, the impact of IT systems on aviation MRO safety is becoming too significant to be viewed solely as a technological concern. The industry has had to recognize that the line between the digital and physical realms, between software vulnerabilities and flight safety risks, has effectively vanished,” says Ms. Vaskelė She notes that the most common cyber risks come from gaps in identity management systems, insecure external digital tools, and the human factor. In recent years, FL Technics has invested in various security measures, focusing mainly on strengthening protections, deploying advanced detection and monitoring systems, and enhancing access control and incident management. The main aim is to create multi-layered protection where human vigilance and technological controls work together as an integrated, complementary system. “Employee training is undoubtedly the most important aspect. You can have the most advanced security tools, multi-layered protection, and state-of-the-art detection systems, but the truth is that the final decision always rests with a human. That is why personal awareness remains the very first and most crucial line of cyber defense,” says Ms. Vaskelė.

Unmanned Systems

DSLR Pros Joins GeoCue Distribution Network

GeoCue has welcomed DSLR Pros to its growing distribution network, expanding nationwide access to TrueView 3D Imaging Sensors and LP360 point cloud processing software for geospatial professionals across the United States. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, DSLR Pros has spent more than a decade pioneering commercial drone technology and tailored solutions for customers in geospatial, READ MORE
Lucid Bots Raises $20 Million to Accelerate the Buildout of America’s Leading Exterior Cleaning Platform

Lucid Bots has announced it has raised an oversubscribed $20 million Series B round co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners, with participation from Taylor Rhodes, WaterStone Impact Fund, and Front Porch Ventures, in addition to existing investors. The raise brings total funding to $34 million and will be used to scale the company’s READ MORE

Aviation Education

The Lone Star Flight Museum to Host Houston Fleet Week Static Aircraft Display

The Lone Star Flight Museum is celebrating Fleet Week Houston by hosting the Fleet Week Navy Aircraft Display and offering free admission all weekend with generous support from ExxonMobil. The event will be held April 18 and 19, at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas. For the first time in Fleet Week history, Lone Star Flight READ MORE
CAP’s New Jersey Wing Assists U.S. Air Force with Critical Blood Processing Mission

Members of Civil Air Patrol’s New Jersey Wing recently mobilized to assist the U.S. Air Force in processing blood products destined for deployed service members. This effort expands the reach of Operation Pulse Lift, CAP’s ongoing humanitarian blood collection mission, and supports the need for blood for U.S. forces overseas. Civil Air Patrol’s Maj Megan READ MORE

Q&A with State Aviation Journal – What Airport Leaders Should Know about Evolving Baggage Safety Risks: Expert

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

As baggage operations grow more complex and integrated with overall airport performance, safety in these environments is becoming a more visible concern to airport leaders. Tara Riggs, who brings over a decade of experience in baggage handling operations, has spent much of her career working inside these pressure-cooker environments. Now leading A-SAFE’s airport safety efforts, […]

Iowa DOT Aviation Director Tim McClung Announces Retirement Date

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

Photo – Tim and Debbie McClung are retiring together in June – and along with Tommy are excited to start a new chapter in their life. By Kim Stevens Tim McClung has announced his upcoming retirement as Aviation Director for the Iowa DOT, concluding a career that spans more than 30 years in aviation. During […]

$7.3 Million in FY26 Airport Improvement Program Grants Announced in New Jersey

April 13, 2026April 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

The New Jersey Governor’s Office announced the awarding of 11 FY26 Airport Improvement Program grants to 11 airports totaling more than $6.5 million in state funds, and an additional $800,000 in FAA matching grant funds to support airport safety and improvement projects. These grants, which leverage state funding and airport contributions, will support approximately $7.3 […]

IAMA Holds 55th Annual Conference on the Liberty University Campus

April 12, 2026April 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

By Scotty Malta Liberty University, specifically the School of Aeronautics in Lynchburg, VA played host to the 55th annual conference of the International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA), March 17-19. More than 200 missionary aviation professionals representing more than 60 organizations gathered to share information and learn from one another, fellowship and give Liberty aviation […]

CAN Appoints Aviation Pioneer Joan Sullivan Garrett to Board of Directors

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Kim Stevens

Corporate Angel Network (CAN) has announced the appointment of Joan Sullivan Garrett to its Board of Directors. A pioneering entrepreneur and aviation medical innovator, Garrett is the Founder and Chairman of MedAire, a global leader in integrated medical, travel, and safety services for aviation and maritime industries. Since founding MedAire in 1985, she has been […]

Lucid Bots Raises $20 Million to Accelerate the Buildout of America’s Leading Exterior Cleaning Platform

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Kim Stevens

Lucid Bots has announced it has raised an oversubscribed $20 million Series B round co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners, with participation from Taylor Rhodes, WaterStone Impact Fund, and Front Porch Ventures, in addition to existing investors. The raise brings total funding to $34 million and will be used to scale the company’s […]

SAS Marks 80 Years with Anniversary Aircraft

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Kim Stevens

SAS marks the start of its 80th year of operations with a specially painted Airbus A330-300, celebrating eight decades of connecting Scandinavia with the world. Throughout 2026, the airline will highlight its heritage and continued role in linking people, businesses and societies. The anniversary comes 80 years after SAS’s first intercontinental flight on September 17, […]

Chapman Freeborn appoints Latha Narayan as President APAC

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Kim Stevens

Chapman Freeborn has appointed Latha Narayan as President APAC, effective 1 April. In this role, Narayan will lead the company’s strategic and commercial development across the Asia Pacific region, focusing on scaling operations, enhancing performance, and strengthening alignment across cargo, passenger and business aviation services. Narayan brings more than 20 years of global aviation experience, […]

Janine Iannarelli, Founder and President of Par Avion Ltd., Re-elected Chair of the European Business Aviation Association’s Associate Member Advisory Council

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Kim Stevens

Janine K. Iannarelli, founder and president of Par Avion Ltd., was re-elected in Brussels, Belgium, as chair of the European Business Aviation Association’s (EBAA) Associate Member Advisory Council (AMAC) during the organization’s recent annual general assembly. This year marks a transitional year for EBAA with a revision to the Articles of Association that includes migrating […]

Kim Brown Announced as New Deer Valley Airport Manager

April 6, 2026April 6, 2026 Kim Stevens

The City of Phoenix Aviation Department has announced the appointment of Kim Brown as the new Airport Manager for Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), following the retirement of longtime Airport Manager Ed Faron, who concluded nearly 24 years of distinguished service to the department on Monday, March 30. “Faron’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental […]

Lufthansa Celebrates 100 Years Since its First Flights in Berlin

Lucid Bots Raises $20 Million to Accelerate the Buildout of America’s Leading Exterior Cleaning Platform

SAS Marks 80 Years with Anniversary Aircraft

Textron Aviation Names Five 2026 Top Hawk Recipients as Program Enters Its Second Decade of Workforce Impact