By Katelyn Wade The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) closed out 2024 with significant achievements, advancing Oklahoma’s position as a leader in the aerospace and aviation industry. The December Commission meeting highlighted strategic investments, leadership transitions, and the celebration of successful events, setting the stage for an impactful 2025. Major Airport Infrastructure Investments […]
More Than $20 Million in Additional Grants Announced from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to Modernize Airports
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is awarding $20.5 million for 25 grants across 14 states and Puerto Rico to modernize airports under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, part of the $25 billion total included in the law over a period of five years for airport and […]
MassDOT Receives $1M to Optimize Drone Use for Infrastructure Projects
The Aeronautics Division of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has received $1 million in funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and authorized to accelerate innovation in highway transportation. This grant funding goes toward the second stage of a three-phase project, using Unmanned […]
Northern Plains UAS Test Site Partners with Tennessee DOT to Create Vantis-Like System
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) and the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) have announced a monumental partnership to develop a system like Vantis (North Dakota’s beyond-visual-line-of-sight system) in Tennessee, aimed at enhancing its UAS program over the next five years. NPUASTS provided a comprehensive proposal to assist in the planning, development, implementation, and […]
Aviation Businesses Finish Strong in 2024, Look for Continued Growth and Success in 2025
By Kim Stevens Photo above – Kinexis Consulting LLC, a New Jersey-based firm, established in 2016 performed well and met its goals in 2024. For three very diverse aviation businesses, 2024 had one thing in common – each performed well. “2024 has been a great year for us with a very strong 4th quarter,” […]
Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone Enables Drone Operational Zone
The Autonomy Institute has announced Ondas Holdings Inc. as a lead commercial partner within the Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone (IIEZ) on Texas State Highway 130 (SH130). The initial design will enable ten drone zones to support high-traffic regions between the Circuit of the Americas and Georgetown, Texas. These locations will support routine operations for inspections, […]
$20 Million Announced in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Modernize Airport Owned Air Traffic Control Towers
For a fourth year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $20 million being awarded to 20 airport-owned airport traffic control towers across the country, spanning 15 states. This funding will be used to upgrade existing or build new control towers across the country. The funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will go to smaller […]
Sacramento County Department of Airports Releases RFQ for New Rental Car Facility
The Sacramento County Department of Airports (SCDA), which operates Sacramento International Airport (SMF), has announced the release of a request for qualifications (RFQ) to identify a private developer to partner with the County and its stakeholders to deliver a new, state-of-the-art consolidated rental-car facility (ConRAC). The project will include construction of a multi-level facility south […]
James Hauslein Elected as New AOPA Chairman
The AOPA Board of Trustees has elected James N. “Jim” Hauslein as chairman. Hauslein joined the board in 2012 and has served on numerous committees and chaired the Finance and Investment Committee. Hauslein has been an AOPA member since 1987, well before he earned his private pilot certificate in 1996. He later went on to […]
Aeronautics Director to Take On New Challenge as Division Engineer for NCDOT
Rebecca Gallas, the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation Director, will be transitioning throughout December into her new role as Division Engineer for NCDOT Division 5. NCDOT’s Assistant Unit Head for Photogrammetry Nick Short, PE will serve as the interim Aviation Director. Moving up in NCDOT is a bittersweet transition for Gallas, whose […]
