State Aviation Journal – Page 435 – Your Best Source of State Aviation News

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 […]
When Wireless Networks Falter, Drones Can Provide Backup Connectivity, According to Stevens Researchers
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a drone-based system designed to provide temporary wireless coverage during network outages or periods of high demand. The system, named AURA-GreeN, deploys a coordinated swarm of aerial vehicles that function as mobile cell towers, intelligently managing spectrum allocation, data routing and energy use in real time. As […]

State News

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.
Kim Brown Announced as New Deer Valley Airport Manager

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. Kim Brown “Faron’s dedication and leadership have been instrumental in supporting DVT’s growth as the busiest general aviation airport in the country,” said Assistant Aviation Director Sarah Demory. “The Aviation Department extends its sincere appreciation for his many years of service and contributions to the Phoenix airport system.” Brown’s selection comes after a nationwide competitive process that highlighted her extensive aviation and airport experience. For the past 18 years, she has held various leadership roles with the Facilities and Services and Operations divisions. Most recently, she served as a Facilities and Services Superintendent for the Support Services section at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. In that role, she oversaw Landside Maintenance, Fleet Maintenance and the Airport Sign Program. Prior to that, she was the Superintendent over Ground Transportation where she provided leadership for the contract management of the Airport’s rental car bus service, operation and maintenance of the PHX Sky Train® and the Airport’s contracted taxi services. Brown has a long history of aviation experience and strong ties to the Phoenix Deer Valley Airport community. Before joining the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, she worked for 10 years in various aviation roles including flight instructor, flight training program manager, and chief ground instructor. “Brown’s passion for Deer Valley and the community are evident,” said Demory. “She is committed to building productive partnerships with tenants, regulatory agencies, and industry stakeholders to ensure that Deer Valley will continue to grow as a premier hub for corporate aviation and flight training.” Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in professional aeronautics with a minor in aviation safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She holds multiple pilot ratings, including a flight instructor certificate and is a Certified Member (C.M) of the American Association of Airport Executives. Brown also serves on the Board of Directors as an Executive Member with the Arizona Airports Association (AzAA). “Returning to Deer Valley Airport after 18 years feels like coming full circle,” said Brown. “Every step I’ve taken throughout my career has led me back to the place where my passion for aviation truly took root. It is an honor to serve this community again, now as the Airport Manager, and to help guide DVT’s continued growth.”

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

IAMA Holds 55th Annual Conference on the Liberty University Campus

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 students opportunities to get valuable information to use in guiding their future aviation careers. Kerrick Tweedy, CEO of IAMA. All photos by Scotty Malta. According to Kerrick Tweedy, CEO of IAMA, “This year is the largest conference we’ve ever had, so bringing that many people together is amazing.” “We know that being good stewards of what we have but also working well together is very important. It’s really good to be with Liberty and other programs that have a heart for missions and the Gospel and to get in front of students and faculty. It’s very powerful to be here.” He further noted that the last time the conference was at Liberty University was in 2018. The three-day conference included presentations by many people and organizations such as: Jon Egeler from Mission Safety International (MSI); Jeremy Boddington from Mercy Air; Chuck Daily for Jungle Aviation and Relay Services (JAARS) and FlightSpan; along with several presentations by Liberty University School of Aeronautics staff as well as several panel discussions and introductions of first-time attendees/businesses. Samuel Spear, CEO of Reach Aviation intrigued the conference attendees by giving a sneak peak at an aircraft they are developing specifically for mission aviation among other potential users… more on that in time. Dr. Steven Brinly Dr. Steven Brinly, School of Aeronautics Dean, provided an update on the university aeronautics program and said the conference was a huge benefit for the students who attended (during the Spring Break). He was excited and pleased with the opportunities, networking and collaboration on issues facing the missions aviation community. One of the main benefits to Liberty hosting this event, according to Brinly was the opportunity provided to the students, faculty and staff to engage in this realm of aviation they normally don’t have a chance to. Anyone that has attended aviation business conferences over the years has undoubtedly heard many presentations regarding the “next generation” of workers. Dr. Erlacher was very engaging and intuitive in her presentation “A Clear Patchway: Making Next Steps Intuitive for the Next Generation” … namely Gen Z. Her presentation was one of the best on this topic. John and Martha King John and Martha King, pioneers in aviation education during the last 50 years discussed the importance of prioritizing aviation safety and in this case, specifically relating to missions aviation work. The Kings were captivating and very informative in their presentation (key parts of which are presented below with their permission). A final note on the Kings. They have offered scholarships and training resources in their collaboration with the Liberty School of Aeronautics who use the Kings’ curriculum in parts of its program. The final event of the conference was a dinner hosted at the Liberty School of Aeronautics Maintenance Technician Program hangar adjacent to the Lynchburg Regional Airport. Edward Graham, Chief Operating Officer, Samaritan’s Purse gave the keynote address during the dinner. He talked of some of the missions the Samaritan’s Purse aircraft and operations have done around the world responding to disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. Edward Graham, COO of Samaritan’s Purse. Photos by Scotty Malta. He briefly mentioned the last US-registered and flying DC-8 aircraft, a real workhorse, that they retired from flying due to its age. The last mission of the aircraft culminated recently in a landing at the Lynchburg Regional Airport and being gifted to Liberty University. Plans are underway to create a missions aviation museum centered on and in the DC-8 (more on that in a future article). Graham’s address related some of his experiences and lessons learned while serving as a US Army Ranger. He talked of times flying with his father, Samaritan’s Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham who asked Edward to join him. Leaving the military after 16 years was difficult since he had become comfortable there in his role. He talked of the story of the Apostle Peter stepping out of the boat (his comfort zone) in the middle of a storm to meet Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14:22-33). Graham challenged those assembled, “If you want to be part of a miracle, you got to get out of the boat. So, what is your boat?” He encouraged people not to be afraid of discomfort but to look ahead for “what’s next” in their area, ministry or department. Graham concluded with, “One of the great assets and capabilities that the Lord has given ministry, is aviation. It can cover and span the world quickly. It can bring hope to a dying world. It can bring relief to places that no one else wants to go. You represent organizations that have been flying to places no one’s even heard of, and I’m thankful for it.” The 2027 56th Annual IAMA Conference will be hosted by Samaritan’s Purse in Greensboro, NC… Dates TBD. For more information on IAMA, click on iama.team.
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, 1946, when a route from Stockholm to New York brought Scandinavia closer to the world. Today, SAS links Scandinavia with destinations across Europe, North America and Asia, using Copenhagen as its primary international gateway. To mark the milestone, SAS has introduced a dedicated livery on one of its Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The aircraft is part of the airline’s long-haul fleet, which includes eight Airbus A330-300s, each with 266 seats, complemented by the state-of-the-art Airbus A350, serving SAS’s intercontinental network. The livery features SAS blue across the entire aircraft for the first time, building on one of the airline’s most recognizable design elements. The Scandinavian flag has been reinterpreted as a reference to the classic 1980s livery, alongside a new anniversary symbol inspired by the aircraft’s engines and fuselage. “For 80 years, Scandinavian Airlines has driven innovation and brought Scandinavia closer to the world through safe and reliable operations,” says Anko van der Werff, President & CEO of SAS. “From our first transatlantic flight to today’s global network, that purpose remains unchanged. This aircraft is a symbol of our heritage, and of the role we play every day for our customers and the societies we serve.” Its first flight is scheduled between Copenhagen and New York, echoing the historic route that defined SAS’s early international expansion.

Unmanned Systems

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
When Wireless Networks Falter, Drones Can Provide Backup Connectivity, According to Stevens Researchers

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a drone-based system designed to provide temporary wireless coverage during network outages or periods of high demand. The system, named AURA-GreeN, deploys a coordinated swarm of aerial vehicles that function as mobile cell towers, intelligently managing spectrum allocation, data routing and energy use in real time. As READ MORE

Aviation Education

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
Innovation Soars at State Capitol as Leaders Celebrate Oklahoma’s $44 Billion Aerospace Economy

Photo – The crowd of aerospace industry stakeholders, military members, educators and students filled the second-floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol for the 2026 AERO Oklahoma Day. The event brought together more than 1,000 attendees to advocate for the state’s $44 billion aerospace and defense industry. The second floor rotunda of the Oklahoma State READ MORE

State Aviation Officials Among AAAE Leaders Tapped for 2020-2021

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020 Kim Stevens

Kelly Campbell, A.A.E., Executive Director of Aviation at the Lubbock Preston Smith International Airport took office today as Chair of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for 2020-2021. Founded in 1928, AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization representing individuals who work at public-use commercial and general aviation airports. Other key appointments to the […]

Mecaer America Teams with Bell for U.S. Army Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Program

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020 Kim Stevens

Mecaer America, Inc. (MAI) located in Montreal, Canada has announced its selection by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, as the Team Invictus partner responsible for the Landing Gear System. MAI is developing and will manufacture a fully retractable, tail dragger landing gear system which provides landing, take-off, taxiing and ground maneuvering capabilities to […]

GAMA Welcomes FuelsEurope’s Pathway to Climate Neutrality

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020 Kim Stevens

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) welcomes FuelsEurope’s recently unveiled pathway to climate neutrality by 2050 by EU refiners. GAMA has been advocating for such efforts to broaden the availability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).Â “The availability of SAF is a challenge to its widespread use. It is encouraging to see FuelsEurope put forth a […]

Flying Musicians Announce 2020 Solo Scholarship Recipients

June 26, 2020June 26, 2020 Kim Stevens

The Flying Musicians Association (FMA) is proud to announce, even during these uncertain times, that they have awarded two FMA Solo scholarship recipients: Jacob Burdette from Ohio and Jake Myers from Pennsylvania. In awarding two scholarships this year, FMA now boasts a total of 13. There were 39 outstanding nominees from across the United States […]

NCDOT Division of Aviation Photographs Seagrass for Research

June 25, 2020June 25, 2020 Kim Stevens

A multi-flight project photographing the seagrass meadows below the surface of the water along the Outer Banks was completed recently by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division of Aviation. The project was initiated and funded by the Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership. The team took photos along the coast from Kitty Hawk to Jacksonville […]

COVID-19 Uncertainty Forces Cancellation of Rochester, NY, Fly-In

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has canceled its September 11-12, 2020, fly-in in Rochester, New York, as a result of ongoing issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “As we have anticipated the reopening of most activities following the early COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, our AOPA events team has worked hard to maintain the viability of […]

AsBAA Appoints Anthony Lam as Director of Marketing and External Affairs

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 Kim Stevens

AsBAA, Asia’s representative body for the business and general aviation industry, announced that it has appointed Anthony Lam as Director of Marketing and External Affairs, a key new role with the leadership team of the association. Anthony will be taking over all responsibilities formerly handled by the external agency. Zhendong Wu, Chairman of AsBAA said, […]

NATA Applauds Provision in House Infrastructure Package Supporting Sustainable Jet Fuel Programs

June 23, 2020June 23, 2020 Kim Stevens

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) applauded the inclusion of language in H.R. 2, “The Moving Forward Act,” which supports the industry’s goal to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuels in business aviation. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 annually through 2025, to be appropriated from the general fund of the Treasury to be used exclusively […]

NBAA Challenges FAA’s Dismissal of Additional Comment Time for New Pilot-Reporting Proposal, Sounds Call to Action

June 22, 2020June 22, 2020 Kim Stevens

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) called upon the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to rethink its questionable decision to deny requests from NBAA and others in the industry for additional time to comment on new, onerous pilot-reporting requirements. The FAA’s new data-gathering criteria, outlined in a 200-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), introduce sweeping new […]

NBAA-Supported Workforce Legislation Included in Major Infrastructure Bill

June 22, 2020June 22, 2020 Kim Stevens

NBAA welcomed action last week by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to advance the Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act, and applauded the inclusion of an amendment promoting diversity and workforce development in business aviation, and all transportation sectors vital to the nation’s economy. Transportation has […]

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

When Wireless Networks Falter, Drones Can Provide Backup Connectivity, According to Stevens Researchers