State Aviation Journal – Page 482 – 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

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.
Chapman Freeborn appoints Latha Narayan as President APAC

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. Latha Narayan Narayan brings more than 20 years of global aviation experience, spanning commercial strategy, revenue management and transformation programs. She has held senior leadership roles at British Airways and Etihad Airways, driving commercial performance and managing complex, multi-market operations. Most recently, she worked as an independent aviation and cargo consultant, advising on strategic development, network optimization and digital transformation. She is recognized for her strong commercial acumen and ability to deliver measurable business outcomes. “Strengthening our leadership in Asia Pacific is a key priority as we continue to scale our global operations. Latha brings a unique combination of strategic insight and commercial expertise, along with a proven ability to lead transformation and deliver results across international markets. Her appointment positions us strongly for the next phase of growth in the region,” said Saska Gerasimova, Group CEO at Chapman Freeborn. Latha Narayan, President APAC at Chapman Freeborn, adds: “I am honored to step into this role and bring my experience to an organization recognized for its excellence, integrity, and leadership in aviation. In an industry evolving at an extraordinary pace, Chapman Freeborn’s legacy is built on the strength of its people, and I am truly excited to work alongside such a talented team. My focus will be on accelerating growth, deepening collaboration, and delivering best-in-class solutions across cargo, passenger, and business aviation in this next phase. I look forward to leading with purpose and impact, redefining what’s possible in this space.” Her appointment reflects Chapman Freeborn’s continued investment in Asia Pacific as a key strategic region and its commitment to strengthening leadership capabilities across its global network.

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

NCDOT Using Drones for Cleaner, Safer Herbicide Spraying

October 2, 2019October 2, 2019 Kim Stevens

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation and its Environmental Analysis Unit have teamed up to fight invasive plants with a new tool: drones. The area around Bodie Island Lighthouse was overrun with Phragmites, a type of aggressive, non-native marsh grass that pushes out all native species. NCDOT was responsible for combating the invasive […]

Southeast Council of Airshows Returns to Serve Aviation Community

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 Kim Stevens

Photo above – John Willhoff The Southeast Council of Airshows (SECAS), an organization dedicated to promoting the safe and professional production of air shows in the Southeast and throughout the air show community, announced its return to active duty as a non-profit corporation effective July 30th, 2019. Members of the new SECAS Board of Directors […]

AeroDefense Receives SAFETY Act Designation from Department of Homeland Security

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 Kim Stevens

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently named AeroDefense’s AirWarden™ Drone Defense technology the recipient of the Developmental Testing and Evaluation (DT&E) Designation under their SAFETY Act (Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002). US Congress created the SAFETY Act in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks to encourage the […]

Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Museum Strikes a Chord with Local Guitar Makers

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 Kim Stevens

What does a pilot, a lumber company and the jungles of Nicaragua have to do with a world-renowned guitar making school in Arizona? The answer is the creation of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery. More than 60 years ago, a pilot named John Roberts was scouring tropical forests for mahogany to begin a hardwood import […]

EAA, AMA Creating Hands-On ‘Build-and-Fly’ R/C Model Building, Flying Opportunities for Kids

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 Kim Stevens

Bringing hands-on aviation activities to young people is the goal as the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) unveil the new “Young Eagles Build and Fly” program to engage youth in hands-on building and flying of radio-control aircraft. The initiative provides EAA chapters the opportunity to purchase a specially designed SIG […]

U.S. DOT Announces 6th Allotment of Infrastructure Grants

October 1, 2019October 1, 2019 Kim Stevens

U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced that the Department will award $157 million in airport infrastructure grants to 34 airports in 19 states, plus the U.S. Virgin Islands. This is the sixth allotment of the total $3.18 billion in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. […]

Michigan’s W.K. Kellogg Airport Celebrates 95th Birthday

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Kim Stevens

W.K. Kellogg Airport celebrated its 95th birthday last week. On September 24, 1924, the Battle Creek, Michigan Area Chamber of Commerce signed a five-year lease of a farm, with an option to purchase, for an aviation field. Field grading began quickly, and the Battle Creek Airport officially opened Aug. 28, 1925. The Battle Creek Airport […]

Passenger Growth Elevates RDU from Medium to Large Airport Category

September 30, 2019September 30, 2019 Kim Stevens

Record-setting passenger growth elevated Raleigh-Durham International Airport from a medium to large airport in a 2019 J.D. Power study of North American airports. The North Carolina airport ranked fifth, in passenger satisfaction in its new category. “We are thrilled that passengers consider RDU one of the top five best large airports in North America,” said […]

AOPA’s Baker Testifies with Other Industry Groups, Tells Congress to Modernize not Privatize

September 27, 2019September 27, 2019 Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) President and CEO Mark Baker returned to Capitol Hill to express AOPA’s support for modernizing the nation’s air traffic control system without privatizing it. Baker told members of the Senate Aviation and Space subcommittee on Sept. 24 and the House Subcommittee on Aviation on Sept. 26 that private […]

FAA Updates DroneZone

September 27, 2019September 27, 2019 Kim Stevens

Upgrades to the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) DroneZone, now allows recreational flyers to request airspace authorizations in controlled airspace where the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is not available. Airspace authorizations can take up to 45 days to process and approve through the DroneZone. Recreational flyers may request to fly up to the […]

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