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  2. <rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
  3. <channel>
  4. <title>Latest News</title>
  5. <link>https://nasao.org/news/</link>
  6. <description><![CDATA[ NASAO and industry news and articles.  ]]></description>
  7. <lastBuildDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2025 18:37:12 GMT</lastBuildDate>
  8. <pubDate>Wed, 9 Jul 2025 20:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
  9. <copyright>Copyright &#xA9; 2025 National Association of State Aviation Officials</copyright>
  10. <atom:link href="http://nasao.org/resource/rss/news.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"></atom:link>
  11. <item>
  12. <title>State Aviation Officials Congratulate Bryan Bedford on Confirmation to Lead the FAA</title>
  13. <link>https://nasao.org/news/705517/</link>
  14. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/705517/</guid>
  15. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />July 9, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (July 9, 2025)</strong> - The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) congratulates Bryan Bedford on his Senate confirmation to be the next Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). NASAO President and CEO, Greg Pecoraro, released the following statement on Bedford’s confirmation:</p><p style="text-align: left;">“NASAO congratulates Bryan Bedford on his Senate confirmation as the new FAA Administrator. Bedford’s strong background in aviation and in leading a large organization bodes well for his tenure, and NASAO looks forward to working with him to ensure that the United States continues to have the safest aviation system in the world, as well as to maintain the nation’s leadership in this critical industry.”</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###</p><p style="text-align: center;">NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /></p><div>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  16. <category>Press Releases</category>
  17. <pubDate>Wed, 9 Jul 2025 21:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
  18. </item>
  19. <item>
  20. <title>NASAO Announces 2025 Henry Ogrodzinski Scholarship Recipients</title>
  21. <link>https://nasao.org/news/705126/</link>
  22. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/705126/</guid>
  23. <description><![CDATA[<span id="docs-internal-guid-0b925e95-7fff-e720-2bc5-02b7ac135795"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">July 3, 2025</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Contact: Taylor Bryan</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">(202) 925-7345</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt 0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">WASHINGTON (July 3, 2025) -</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) Center for Aviation Research &amp; Education is pleased to announce the three recipients of the 2025 Henry Ogrodzinski (Henry O.) Scholarship:</span></p><ul style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" role="presentation"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; text-wrap-mode: wrap;">Christian Vargo (Liberty University)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;" role="presentation"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; text-wrap-mode: wrap;">Mackenzie Koenig (Western Michigan University)</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="list-style-type: disc; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;" aria-level="1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt;" role="presentation"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; text-wrap-mode: wrap;">Christopher (CJ) O'Neill (University of Colorado Boulder)</span></p></li></ul><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Established by the NASAO Center in 2014, this scholarship is awarded in memory of Henry Ogrodzinski, who led NASAO as its President and CEO from 1996 to 2013. Henry O. (as he was referred to by the industry) dedicated his life to higher education and academic achievement. The Henry O. Scholarship Program recognizes three college upperclassmen who are pursuing a career in the aviation or aerospace industry. Due to a rise in scholarship applications, this year the NASAO Center increased the award amount from $1,000 to $2,500.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“After careful consideration, we are thrilled to have selected these three individuals for the Henry O Scholarship,” said Hetty Carlson, Chair of the NASAO Aviation Education Committee and Colorado Division of Aeronautics Education Grants and Outreach Specialist. “We are amazed with the achievements these students have already made and will continue to make in the industry. Congratulations to the recipients!”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">“NASAO is excited to once again advance the future of aviation by awarding scholarships to these three outstanding students,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “Through the support and encouragement we can offer these students, we advance both our industry and honor the legacy of our long-time president, Henry O.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For more information on the scholarship and application process, please visit </span><a href="https://nasao.org/page/henry-ogrodzinski-scholarship" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">NASAO's website</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;text-align: center;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 8pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">###</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;text-align: center;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:8pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 12pt; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>]]></description>
  24. <category>Press Releases</category>
  25. <pubDate>Thu, 3 Jul 2025 15:59:00 GMT</pubDate>
  26. </item>
  27. <item>
  28. <title>NASAO Statement on the Advancement of Bryan Bedford’s Nomination to Lead the FAA </title>
  29. <link>https://nasao.org/news/704468/</link>
  30. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/704468/</guid>
  31. <description><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />June 25, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; background: white;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;">WASHINGTON (June 25, 2025)</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;"> — The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation voted to advance the nomination of Bryan Bedford to be Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The nomination will now move to the Senate floor for a vote by the full chamber.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; background: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;">“The safety and viability of the national aviation system depend on stable, consistent leadership at the FAA, which is only possible with a Senate-confirmed Administrator,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “State aviation agencies appreciate this action by the Senate Commerce Committee and look forward to timely consideration by the full Senate.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;"><br />###</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000; text-align: center; background: white;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; color: #053c5a;">NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</span></p>]]></description>
  32. <category>Press Releases</category>
  33. <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2025 16:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
  34. </item>
  35. <item>
  36. <title>NASAO Urges Swift Confirmation of Bryan Bedford as FAA Administrator</title>
  37. <link>https://nasao.org/news/703222/</link>
  38. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/703222/</guid>
  39. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />June 10, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (June 10, 2025)</strong> — The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) urges swift confirmation of Bryan Bedford as the next administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). His nomination will be considered by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation during a confirmation hearing scheduled for tomorrow, June 11.&nbsp;<br /><br />“Bedford’s extensive experience in airline operations and executive leadership makes him well-equipped to lead the Federal Aviation Administration,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “The FAA needs a confirmed administrator to driving meaningful and lasting change as the agency confronts ongoing challenges to efficiency, modernization, and safety oversight. NASAO urges the Senate to quickly confirm Bedford’s nomination as the next FAA Administrator.”<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  40. <category>Press Releases</category>
  41. <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2025 20:27:00 GMT</pubDate>
  42. </item>
  43. <item>
  44. <title>Two Americans Place in FAI International Aviation Art Contest</title>
  45. <link>https://nasao.org/news/701997/</link>
  46. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/701997/</guid>
  47. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />May 23, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /></p><div>&nbsp;</div><div><strong>WASHINGTON (May 23, 2025)</strong> – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) is proud to congratulate Lottie Schmutz (1st Place, ages 10-13) from Wyoming and Lalitha Kuchipudi (1st place, ages 14-17) from Virginia for placing in their respective categories at the <a href="https://www.fai.org/news/women-wings-fai-young-artists-contest-winners-2025" target="_blank">FAI International Young Artists Contest</a>. They are two of the nine artists who placed nationally through the coordinated efforts of the NASAO Center for Aviation Research &amp; Education and the <a href="https://naa.aero/" target="_blank">National Aeronautic Association (NAA)</a>.&nbsp;</div><p style="text-align: left;"><br />The 2025 theme “Women with Wings” encouraged students to create artwork inspired by the daring women who have defied society’s expectations, taking to the air and proving that the sky is a place for everyone. The FAI announced the 2025 International Young Artist Contest winners earlier this month, and participating countries included Bulgaria, China, France, India, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, Serbia and USA.&nbsp;<br /><br />The international art contest, presented by the FAI, is held annually with a theme that aims to inspire interest in aviation among youth by providing them with a space to express their ideas through art. The NAA is the National Aero Club (NAC) member of the FAI and delegates authority to NASAO, who oversees the event in partnership with the NAA. The contest has introduced air sports to children nationally for decades and continues to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and athletes through the participation of NASAO’s state members.&nbsp;<br /><br />The contest opens for submissions after the FAI announces the theme during the summer. Delegated state authorities first consider artwork, with the winning entries forwarded to Washington, D.C., for national award judging. The NAA and NASAO received over 140 art pieces this year from nearly half of the country’s states and territories.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />Congratulations to the 2025 U.S. National and International winners!&nbsp;<br /><br />View the <a href="https://nasao.org/news/696229/NASAO--NAA-Announces-2025-Aviation-Art-Contest-Winners.htm" target="_blank">2025 U.S. Winners and Entries&nbsp;</a><br />View the <a href="https://www.fai.org/news/women-wings-fai-young-artists-contest-winners-2025" target="_blank">2025 International Winning Entries</a>&nbsp;<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /></p><div>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  48. <category>Press Releases</category>
  49. <pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2025 17:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
  50. </item>
  51. <item>
  52. <title>NASAO Joins Modern Skies Coalition Supporting USDOT Secretary’s ATC Modernization Plan</title>
  53. <link>https://nasao.org/news/700676/</link>
  54. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/700676/</guid>
  55. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />May 8, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (May 8, 2025)</strong> – Today, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), alongside over 50 other stakeholders in the
  56.    <a href="https://modernskies.com/" target="_blank">Modern Skies Coalition</a>, released the statement below supporting USDOT Secretary Duffy’s Air Traffic Control modernization plan:<br /><br />“We strongly support Secretary Duffy’s plan to rebuild
  57.    our nation’s air traffic control system. Recent issues—especially those at DCA and EWR—remind us of the urgent need for a sharp focus on the safety and efficiency of the National Airspace System (NAS) and the dire necessity to address antiquated technology
  58.    and the staffing shortage.<br /></p>
  59. <p style="text-align: left;">We are pleased that the Secretary has identified the priorities of what must be done to maintain safety and remain a leader in air navigation services. We applaud the Administration’s budget request of $4 billion for FAA’s technology and facilities account
  60.    (F&amp;E), which is higher than ever before. However, based on decades of Federal budgets not even keeping up with inflation, the system is in serious need of continued sufficient budget requests as well as an immediate robust infusion of resources.<br /><br />We applaud Chairman Graves’ critical first step in moving forward on $12.5 billion of funding. As the Modern Skies Coalition and Chairman Graves have indicated, this was a down payment to address these systemic, ongoing problems. Based on
  61.    our analysis, we believe a minimum of $18.5 billion in additional emergency funding should be appropriated over the next three years above the FAA’s annual F&amp;E budget. The staffing and technology challenges facing the NAS did not appear overnight and will require strong leadership
  62.    and oversight to hold FAA accountable to maximize the value and effectiveness of these investment resources and deliver a world class system.</p><p style="text-align: left;">We are deeply appreciative that Secretary Duffy has made our nation’s air traffic control
  63.    system a priority and look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to bring this vision to fruition.<br /><br />We must act now with strong purpose and commitment.”<br /><br /><a href="https://modernskies.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Modern-Skies-Coalition-Supports-Secretary-Duffys-ATC-Modernization-Plan-05.08.25.pdf" target="_blank">View</a><a href="https://modernskies.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Modern-Skies-Coalition-Supports-Secretary-Duffys-ATC-Modernization-Plan-05.08.25.pdf" target="_blank">&nbsp;the full Modern Skies Coalition Statement.</a><br /><br /></p>
  64. <p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to
  65.    encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  66. <category>Press Releases</category>
  67. <pubDate>Thu, 8 May 2025 21:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
  68. </item>
  69. <item>
  70. <title>NASAO Joins Coalition Supporting House ATC-Modernization Plan</title>
  71. <link>https://nasao.org/news/699838/</link>
  72. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/699838/</guid>
  73. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />April 29, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345</p>
  74. <p><strong>WASHINGTON (April 29, 2025)</strong> – Today, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), alongside over 50 other stakeholders in the Modern Skies coalition, released the statement below endorsing the House Committee
  75.    on Transportation and Infrastructure Air Traffic Control modernization provisions:</p>
  76. <p>“The Modern Skies Coalition strongly endorses the Air Traffic Control modernization proposal from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to fund critical investments in the air traffic control system’s technology, infrastructure and
  77.    workforce, ensuring the United States remains the gold standard of aviation safety.<br /></p>
  78. <p>As stakeholders from across the aviation industry, we have sounded the alarm for decades about the challenges created by aging technology and infrastructure, as well as the controller and technician staffing shortages. We appreciate the hard work of Chairman
  79.    Sam Graves and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to address these chronic problems which builds on their work in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization law. The Committee’s approach is a much needed downpayment on achieving these benefits
  80.    for the Americans who fly and ship goods every day. We look forward to working with policymakers to augment this legislation based on a comprehensive proposal from the Department of Transportation to increase investments in these key areas and implement
  81.    procurement reform that ensures performance and accountability.<br /></p>
  82. <p>We urge the House to pass these provisions and will continue our engagement with the Senate as they look to work on this effort as well, ensuring these critical issues are addressed and sent to the President for his signature.”&nbsp;</p>
  83. <p><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.org/resource/collection/C660E4EB-BED1-4DEE-8B68-7663A3E6FC2A/Modern_Skies_Coalition_House_T&amp;I_Endorsement-25.04.29.pdf" target="_blank">Read the full Modern Skies statement</a>.&nbsp;</p>
  84. <p style="text-align: center;">###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage
  85.    and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  86. <category>Press Releases</category>
  87. <pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:46:00 GMT</pubDate>
  88. </item>
  89. <item>
  90. <title>NASAO Announces Hayley Rollins as Manager of Meetings &amp; Administration </title>
  91. <link>https://nasao.org/news/699029/</link>
  92. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/699029/</guid>
  93. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />April 18, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (April 18, 2025)</strong> – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hayley Rollins as Manager of Meetings &amp; Administration. A graduate of George Mason University, Rollins brings a wealth of experience working in event management positions for organizations such as the United States Army and The U.S. Chamber of Commerce.&nbsp;<br /><br />“I’m thrilled to join the NASAO team and contribute to its mission by producing impactful and engaging event experiences for our members,” said Rollins. “I look forward to applying my expertise in event planning to aviation events and getting to know our members. I'm also excited to expand my knowledge of the aviation industry."<br /><br />Hayley can be contacted at <a href="mailto:hrollins@nasao.org">hrollins@nasao.org</a>.&nbsp;<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  94. <category>Press Releases</category>
  95. <pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2025 18:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
  96. </item>
  97. <item>
  98. <title>NASAO &amp; NAA Announces 2025 Aviation Art Contest Winners</title>
  99. <link>https://nasao.org/news/696229/</link>
  100. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/696229/</guid>
  101. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />March 18, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (March 18, 2025)</strong> – Today, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) and <a href="https://naa.aero/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">National Aeronautic Association (NAA)</span></a>, announced the winners of the 2025 U.S. Youth Aviation Art Contest. The judging was conducted by aviation and education professionals at the NAA offices in Reagan National Airport.<br /><br />This year, over 140 pieces of artwork were received from nearly half of the country’s states and territories. The annual contest is part of an international contest conducted by the <a href="https://www.fai.org/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)</span></a>. The FAI’s purpose is to inspire youth to create art that shares the importance of aviation. Contest submissions are grouped into three separate age categories for judging allowing students ranging from 6 to 17 years old to compete. The 2025 theme “Women with Wings” encouraged students to create artwork inspired by the daring women who have defied society’s expectations, taking to the air and proving that the sky is a place for everyone.<br /><br />“It’s exciting for those of us in the aviation industry to see the talent and effort these young people put into their entries,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “We hope their passion for art and aeronautics inspires them to always be aware of the role aviation plays in our lives. It may or may not lead them to careers in aviation, but this art will certainly capture the imagination of others who may decide to follow that path. Congratulations to our winners and everyone who entered the contest!”<br /><br />To qualify for the national contest, all artwork was first submitted to state-level competitions with the winning entries advancing for national consideration. Judging on the national level was based on artistic ability and portrayal of theme. The national winners have been submitted for the 2025 International Aviation Art Contest which will be judged in June by the FAI.<br /><br />“There are so many ways to inspire the next generation of aviation workforce,” said Amy Spowart, President and CEO, National Aeronautic Association. “Encouraging children to think of flight through the creation of art is a beautiful way for them to see themselves in air and space. We are grateful to the FAI for including the U.S. in their contest and NASAO for their decades long involvement.”</p><p style="text-align: left;">National contest prizes were sponsored by the AMCG Foundation,&nbsp; a non-profit organization geared to promote and provide opportunities and resources to individuals wishing to further their interest in aviation.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">View the winning entries <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/192582491@N03/albums/72177720324510528" target="_blank">here.</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>NASAO and NAA congratulate the 2025 U.S. Winners:&nbsp;</strong></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>JUNIOR CATEGORY&nbsp;</strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_1st_place_yang.png" style="width: 75%;" /><br /><strong>1st Place</strong>: Andrew Yang | Virginia, Age 9<strong><br />&nbsp;<br /><br />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_2nd_place_li.png" style="width: 75%;" /><br /></strong><strong><strong>2nd Place:</strong></strong> Jason Li | Arizona, Age 8</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_3rd_place_pranav.png" style="width: 75%;" /><br /></strong><strong>3rd Place: </strong>Pranav Vemireddy | Texas, Age 8</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span><br /><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_1st_place_sofia.png" style="width: 75%;" />&nbsp;<br />1st Place: </strong>Sofia Garcia-Vazquez | North Carolina, Age 13<br /><strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_2nd_place_aspen.png" style="width: 75%;" /><br /></strong><strong>2nd Place: </strong>Aspen Xing | Virginia, Age 12</p><p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_3rd_place_lottie.png" style="width: 75%;" /><strong><br />&nbsp;3rd Place: </strong>Lottie | Wyoming, Age 12<br /><strong></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">SENIOR CATEGORY&nbsp;</span></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;"></span><br /><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_1st_place_kim.png" style="width: 75%;" />&nbsp;<br />1st Place: </strong>Soyoon Kim | North Carolina, Age 14<br /><strong><br />&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_2nd_place_lalitha.png" style="width: 75%;" /><br />2nd Place: </strong>Lalitha | Virginia, Age 14<strong><br /></strong></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/2025_3rd_place_park.png" style="width: 75%;" /><br />3rd Place: </strong>Catherine Park | North Carolina, Age 16<span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  102. <category>Press Releases</category>
  103. <pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2025 20:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
  104. </item>
  105. <item>
  106. <title>Aviation Stakeholders Join Together to Call on Congress to Avert a Government Shutdown</title>
  107. <link>https://nasao.org/news/696081/</link>
  108. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/696081/</guid>
  109. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />March 14, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (March 14, 2025)</strong> – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) as part of a coalition of aviation stakeholders from industry and labor sent <a href="https://www.natca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aviation-Stakeholder-Letter_032025-2.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">a letter</span></a> to Congressional leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, calling on both parties to take immediate action to avoid a government shutdown.<br /><br />In the letter, the aviation stakeholders stressed the negative effects a government shutdown of any length would have on the National Airspace System (NAS).<br />&nbsp;<br />“Shutdowns are extremely detrimental to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by suspending air traffic controller hiring and training, delaying the implementation of safety initiatives, postponing maintenance, and repair work to critical air traffic equipment, suspending air carrier pilot check rides, delaying airworthy inspections for aircraft, deferring the analysis of voluntary safety reporting, and suspending work on modernization and infrastructure programs. During a shutdown, many FAA employees are furloughed, meaning that they cannot perform their duties that support aviation safety, aircraft certification and the integration of new entrants. The ensuing backlogs cause further delays in these critical FAA services long after funding resumes.<br /><br />“While air traffic controllers will continue to work without pay, many of the employees who support them are furloughed, and the programs that the FAA uses to review and address safety events are suspended. To remain the world leader in aviation, we must continue to strive to improve efficiency and further mitigate risk.”</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.natca.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Aviation-Stakeholder-Letter_032025-2.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">View the full letter here.</span></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  110. <category>Press Releases</category>
  111. <pubDate>Fri, 14 Mar 2025 16:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
  112. </item>
  113. <item>
  114. <title>General Aviation Provides Robust Contribution to U.S. Economy </title>
  115. <link>https://nasao.org/news/694318/</link>
  116. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/694318/</guid>
  117. <description><![CDATA[<span id="docs-internal-guid-af2e8fad-7fff-3ca6-b493-f3766ce74525"></span><div style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />Feb. 20, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (Feb. 20, 2025)</strong> – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), alongside seven other aviation groups, welcomed an updated study, released yesterday, detailing the robust contributions of general aviation to the U.S. economy. The update, conducted by PwC US Tax LLP, determined that general aviation supports a total 1,330,200 jobs and a total of $339.2 billion in total economic output in the U.S.<br /><br />The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Vertical Aviation International (VAI) sponsored the study. Leaders of the associations were encouraged by the study’s depiction of the significant contribution that the general aviation industry has on the U.S. economy.&nbsp;<br /><br />“While general aviation’s contribution to the nation’s economy and transportation system is often overlooked, this study outlines the critical role it plays in connecting communities and providing job opportunities,” said Greg Pecoraro, President and CEO of NASAO. “No matter where you live in America, general aviation and the airports that support it help move people, goods, and services that are an integral part of our lives. The vast majority of the nation’s airports were designed and built to support general aviation, and they continue to play an irreplaceable role in our aviation infrastructure.”<br /><br />“We are proud to report that despite challenges that have plagued the entire aerospace industry since the beginning of the pandemic, the segment of the U.S. economy affected by general aviation grew over 150,000 jobs and an additional $92 billion in annual economic impact since last reported in 2020,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO. “This growth takes place at a time when the importance of the societal benefits that general aviation brings to humankind around the globe cannot be overstated. From aerial firefighting, medical airlift, natural disaster response, law enforcement, agriculture protection, through drone vaccine delivery, general aviation is saving lives while our business aviation segment creates the corporate connectivity to allow companies the competitive advantage needed to create more jobs and promote economic growth. General aviation is the technology incubator for civil aviation – our evolution is spurring more sustainable propulsion systems, safety enhancing avionics capabilities, advanced material manufacturing, and improved maintenance, training and support. These amazing innovations all serve as a testament to the strength of our industry being propelled by the hardworking teams that are engineering building, maintaining, and servicing the aircraft of today and tomorrow.”<br /><br />“This third report in just over a decade is further evidence that general aviation is a catalyst for local economies, a lifeline for rural communities, and essential to the makeup of American commerce,” said Mike Adamson, AEA president and CEO. “The economic contributions of this industry are profound, and the possibilities for the future are promising. As an industry dedicated to powering safer, more efficient flight, we are creating more high-tech and high-wage careers, innovating technologies, providing essential services and inspiring the next generation.”<br /><br />“This report shows the growing impact of general aviation in every part of the U.S.,” said Darren Pleasance, AOPA President and CEO. “Since the last report in 2020, the number of people learning to fly has nearly doubled, proving once again that general aviation provides more value than ever to communities across the country. As an industry, we must do our part to continue to inspire and provide resources for future pilots, aircraft technicians, and others who want to work in this industry.”<br /><br />“Those of us who are involved in general aviation see its contributions, vitality, and importance every day, but this information showcases this remarkable segment of our nation’s economy for everyone,” said Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board for the Experimental Aircraft Association. “General aviation is not only about economic growth, it is also about supporting communities and individuals as a unique element of personal freedom in America.”<br /><br />“While general aviation’s contribution to the nation’s economy and transportation system is often overlooked, this study outlines the critical role it plays in connecting communities and providing job opportunities,” said Greg Pecoraro, President and CEO of NASAO. “No matter where you live in America, general aviation and the airports that support it help move people, goods, and services that are an integral part of our lives. The vast majority of the nation’s airports were designed and built to support general aviation, and they continue to play an irreplaceable role in our aviation infrastructure.”<br /><br />"This latest survey demonstrates the continued resiliency, growing innovation, and vast contributions of aeronautical service providers across the country. The professionals at FBOs, air charter operations, MROs, general aviation airports, flight training organizations, and advanced air mobility companies work tirelessly to ensure safe, efficient, and essential aviation services at all times and in any environment, while driving job creation and economic growth," stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.<br /><br />“This study powerfully demonstrates general aviation’s essential and growing role in creating jobs, supporting economic activity, connecting communities and helping companies of all sizes succeed, nationally and in every state,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO. "This authoritative report will be valuable in our industry’s work to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the sector’s size and central role in the nation’s economy and transportation system.”<br /><br />“As we saw with their critical role in the LA wildfires, helicopters are and will remain indispensable aircraft that protect communities and better people’s lives,” says James Viola, president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International (VAI), formerly known as Helicopter Association International (HAI). “Today’s helicopters and the burgeoning advanced air mobility (AAM) VTOL fleet will only continue to enhance vertical aviation’s contributions to society and the global economy.”<br /><br />To determine the total U.S. economic impact of general aviation, the study calculated the direct, indirect, induced and enabled economic impacts, based on the most recent data available from 2023.&nbsp;<br /><br />The PwC study is available for download <a href="https://gama.aero/wp-content/uploads/General-Aviations-Contribution-to-the-US-Economy_Final_021925.pdf" target="_blank">HERE</a>.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /><div>&nbsp;</div></div>]]></description>
  118. <category>Press Releases</category>
  119. <pubDate>Thu, 20 Feb 2025 21:09:00 GMT</pubDate>
  120. </item>
  121. <item>
  122. <title>State Aviation Officials Congratulate Sean Duffy on Confirmation as Transportation Secretary</title>
  123. <link>https://nasao.org/news/692251/</link>
  124. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/692251/</guid>
  125. <description><![CDATA[<span id="docs-internal-guid-87b798cb-7fff-8905-ede8-0061bdbdb257"></span><div>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />Jan. 28, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>WASHINGTON (Jan. 28, 2025) </strong>— The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) congratulated Sean Duffy on his Senate confirmation to be the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).&nbsp;<br /><br />“NASAO congratulates Sean Duffy on his confirmation as Secretary of Transportation,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “We look forward to working with him and other senior leaders at USDOT to enhance the world’s largest and safest aviation system. As he takes up his new duties, we hope he will prioritize filling the senior leadership roles at the FAA to provide the leadership and stability it needs.”<br /><br />Duffy joins USDOT from Fox Business Network where he was co-host of <em>The Bottom Line</em>. Previously, he served in the US House of Representatives, representing Wisconsin’s 7<sup><span style="font-size: 11px;">th</span></sup> Congressional District from 2011 to 2019.&nbsp;<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /><div>&nbsp;</div></div>]]></description>
  126. <category>Press Releases</category>
  127. <pubDate>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:53:00 GMT</pubDate>
  128. </item>
  129. <item>
  130. <title>NASAO and MDOT Expand Airport Partner Program with Addition of 200+ Airports</title>
  131. <link>https://nasao.org/news/690716/</link>
  132. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/690716/</guid>
  133. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />Jan. 9, 2025<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925–7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON, LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 9, 2025)</strong> - The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) is pleased to announce its partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to enroll 203 airports in NASAO’s Airport Partner program.<br /><br />“MDOT is proud to partner with NASAO in offering Michigan airports access to critical training and resources, at no cost,” said Bryan Budds, MDOT Office of Aeronautics director. “We expect the Airport Partner program, along with the other program benefits, to be well-received and appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with NASAO to continue providing current, relevant training for our airports.”<br /><br />“NASAO is pleased to work with Michigan and its other state aviation agency members, to provide this valuable resource for airports,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO president and CEO. “These airports are a critical part of our national transportation system, and the training and resources we can provide to their staff will help make them more efficient and better prepared to provide access to aviation.”<br /><br />Michigan is home to 215 licensed public use airports, 13,000 registered pilots, and 5,200 aircraft, moving 39 million passengers and 601 million pounds of air cargo annually. Michigan’s aviation industry generates approximately $22 billion in yearly economic impact.<br /><br />Since 2023, NASAO has offered membership to airports through its Airport Partner Program. Like other NASAO partnership programs, the Airport Partners program is open to U.S. airports looking to enhance engagement with state government aviation agencies, stay apprised of the most current aviation issues, and access exclusive NASAO member resources.&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Michigan Airport Partners</span></strong><br /><br />Abrams Municipal Airport (4D0)<br />Al Meyers Airport (3TE)<br />Albert J Lindberg Airport (5Y1)<br />Alkay Airport (51G)<br />Almena Airport (2C5)<br />Alpena County Regional Airport (APN)<br />Andrews University Airpark (C20)<br />Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB)<br />Antrim County Airport (ACB)<br />Arnold Field Airport (55G)<br />Atlanta Municipal Airport (Y93)<br />Avoca Airport (39G)<br />Baldwin Municipal Airport (7D3)<br />Battle Creek Executive Airport at Kellogg Field (BTL)<br />Bauer Field (60D)<br />Beaver Island Municipal Airport (SJX)<br />Belleville Airport (43G)<br />Betz Airport (44G)<br />Bishop International Airport (FNT)<br />Bois Blanc Island Airport (6Y1)<br />Boulder Canyon Airport (56C)<br />Boyne City Municipal Airport (N98)<br />Boyne Mountain Airport (BFA)<br />Branch County Memorial Airport (OEB)<br />Brighton Airport (45G)<br />Brooklyn Airport (6G8)<br />Brooks Field Airport (RMY)<br />Burgess Field (55D)<br />Buzzwick Airport (W87)<br />Cackleberry Airport (2E8)<br />Cain Field (38C)<br />Cal Brewer Memorial Airport (D15)<br />Calkins Field Airport (41C)<br />Calvin Campbell Municipal Airport (Y65)<br />Canadian Lakes Airport (0C5)<br />Canton Plymouth Mettetal Airport (1D2)<br />Capital Region International Airport (LAN)<br />Charlevoix Municipal Airport (CVX)<br />Cheboygan County Airport (SLH)<br />Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)<br />Clare County Airport (80D)<br />Clare Municipal Airport (48D)<br />Coleman A Young Municipal Airport (DET)<br />Cowley Field (96G)<br />Custer Airport (TTF)<br />Dalton Airport (3DA)<br />Delta County Airport (ESC)<br />Denton Farms Airport (99M)<br />Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)<br />Dowagiac Municipal Airport (C91)<br />Drummond Island Airport (DRM)<br />Dupont Lapeer Airport (D95)<br />Eagles Landing Airport (4Y9)<br />East Jordan City Airport (Y94)<br />Edward F Johnson Airport (M61)<br />Engler Field (E53)<br />Evart Municipal Airport (9C8)<br />Field of Dreams Airport (H80)<br />Fitch H Beach Airport (FPK)<br />Flugplatz Airport (7MI)<br />Flying A Ranch Airport (39Z)<br />Ford Airport (IMT)<br />Forest Hill Airport (3F5)<br />Frankfort Dow Memorial Field (FKS)<br />Fremont Municipal Airport (FFX)<br />Gavagan Field (48G)<br />Gaylord Regional Airport (GLR)<br />Gerald R Ford International Airport (GRR)<br />Gladwin Zettel Municipal Airport (GDW)<br />Glowacki Airport (97G)<br />Gogebic Iron County Airport (IWD)<br />Grand Haven Memorial Airpark (3GM)<br />Grand Marais Airport (Y98)<br />Gratiot Community Airport (AMN)<br />Green Lake Airport (Y88)<br />Greenville Municipal Airport (6D6)<br />Grindstone Air Harbor Airport (29C)<br />Gross Airport (52I)<br />Grosse Ile Municipal Airport (ONZ)<br />Hamp Airport (68R)<br />Hanley Field (5Y7)<br />Harbor Springs Airport (MGN)<br />Harrisville Airport (5Y0)<br />Hat Field (5N7)<br />Hillman Airport (Y95)<br />Hillsdale Municipal Airport (JYM)<br />Hiram Cure Airport (C43)<br />Hoffmans Black Mountain Aerodrome (2M7)<br />Home Acres Sky Ranch Airport (Y91)<br />Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX)<br />Houghton Lake State Airport (5Y2)<br />Howard Nixon Memorial Airport (50G)<br />Huron County Memorial Airport (BAX)<br />Ionia County Airport (Y70)<br />Iosco County Airport (6D9)<br />Iron County Airport (50D)<br />Jack Barstow Airport (IKW)<br />Jackson County Reynolds Field (JXN)<br />James Clements Municipal Airport (3CM)<br />Jerry Tyler Memorial Airport (3TR)<br />Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO)<br />Kalkaska City Airport (Y89)<br />Kirsch Municipal Airport (IRS)<br />Lake Ann Airway Estates Airport (4M0)<br />Lakes of the North Airport (4Y4)<br />Lakeview Airport Griffith Field (13C)<br />Lenawee County Airport (LCA)<br />Livingston County Spencer J Hardy Airport (OZW)<br />Lowell City Airport (24C)<br />Luce County Airport (ERY)<br />Mackinac County Airport (83D)<br />Mackinac Island Airport (MCD)<br />Mancelona Municipal Airport (D90)<br />Manistee County Blacker Airport (MBL)<br />Maple Grove Airport (65G)<br />Marine City Airport (76G)<br />Marlette Township Airport (77G)<br />Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (SAW)<br />Mason County Airport (LDM)<br />Mason Jewett Field (TEW)<br />MBS International Airport (MBS)<br />Mecosta Morton Airport (27C)<br />Menominee Regional Airport (MNM)<br />Merillat Airport (34G)<br />Milwrick Flying M Airport (3L7)<br />Moorestown Airpark (6Y0)<br />Mount Pleasant Municipal Airport (MOP)<br />Muskegon County Airport (MKG)<br />Napoleon Airport (3NP)<br />Newmans Airport (4N0)<br />North Fox Island Airstrip (6Y3)<br />Oakland County International Airport (PTK)<br />Oakland Southwest Airport (Y47)<br />Oakland Troy Airport (VLL)<br />Oceana County Airport (C04)<br />Ojibwa Airpark (D11)<br />Ontonagon County Schuster Field (OGM)<br />Oscoda County Dennis Kauffman Memorial Airport (51M)<br />Oscoda Wurtsmith Airport (OSC)<br />Ottawa Executive Airport (Z98)<br />Owosso Community Airport (RNP)<br />Padgham Field (35D)<br />Para Field (4Y8)<br />Paul C Miller Sparta Airport (8D4)<br />Pbeaaye Airport (Y30)<br />Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County (PLN)<br />Plainwell Municipal Airport (61D)<br />Presque Isle County Airport (PZQ)<br />Prices Airport (9G2)<br />Prickett Grooms Field (6Y9)<br />Ray Community Airport (57D)<br />Raymond L Kussmaul Jr Memorial Airport (7N4)<br />Richmond Field (69G)<br />Riverview Airport (08C)<br />Roben Hood Airport (RQB)<br />Robertson Field (M99)<br />Romeo State Airport (D98)<br />Roscommon Conservation Airport (3RC)<br />Roscommon County Blodgett Memorial Airport (HTL)<br />Saginaw County HW Browne Airport (HYX)<br />Sandusky City Airport (Y83)<br />Sault Ste Marie Chippewa County International Airport (CIU)<br />Sault Ste Marie Municipal Sanderson Field (ANJ)<br />Schiffer Acres Airport (3S5)<br />Schoolcraft County Airport (ISQ)<br />Sebewaing Airport (98G)<br />Shady Lane Airport (M99)<br />Shady Lawn Field (4M4)<br />Sharpes Strip (2E2)<br />Skyway Estates Airport (60G)<br />South Haven Area Regional Airport (LWA)<br />Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (BEH)<br />St Clair County International Airport (PHN)<br />St Helen Airport (6Y6)<br />Stambaugh Airport (Y73)<br />Sugar Springs Airport (5M6)<br />Tecumseh Mills Airport (0D2)<br />Thompsonville Airport (7Y2)<br />Three Rivers Municipal Dr Haines Airport (HAI)<br />Tkaczyk Field (0)<br />Toledo Suburban Airport (DUH)<br />Torchport Airport (59M)<br />Tripp Creek Airport (39T)<br />Tuscola Area Airport (CFS)<br />Two Hearted Airport (6Y5)<br />University Airpark (41G)<br />VanEffen Field (6Y4)<br />VanWagnen Airport (6H4)<br />Watervliet Municipal Airport (40C)<br />Welke Airport (6Y8)<br />Wells Field (35C)<br />Wend Valley Airport (49G)<br />West Branch Community Airport (Y31)<br />West Michigan Regional Airport (BIV)<br />Wexford County Airport (CAD)<br />White Cloud Airport (42C)<br />Wilderness Airpark (24M)<br />William B Bolton Airport (Y87)<br />Willow Run Airport (YIP)<br />William Tiny Zehnder Field (66G)<br />Wolf Lake Airport (26W)<br />Woodruff Lake Airport (53W)<br />Woolsey Memorial Airport (5D5)<br />Yale Airport (D20)&nbsp;<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  134. <category>Press Releases</category>
  135. <pubDate>Thu, 9 Jan 2025 18:20:00 GMT</pubDate>
  136. </item>
  137. <item>
  138. <title>NASAO Remembers GA Airport Leader and Advocate, Robert Olislagers</title>
  139. <link>https://nasao.org/news/683786/</link>
  140. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/683786/</guid>
  141. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />Oct. 4, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925–7345<br /><br /><strong>WASHINGTON (Oct. 4, 2024) - </strong>The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) mourns the passing of Robert Olislagers who led Centennial Airport (APA) near DENVER for over two decades and championed general aviation (GA) issues, recently serving as senior coordinator of the Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emissions (EAGLE) initiative.&nbsp;<br /><br />"Once in a career, you come across that one incredible person. Someone who is all at once a friend, a mentor, a leader, and an inspiration,” said David Ulane, A.A.E., FRAeS, Colorado aeronautics director and former NASAO chair. “Someone who provides unequaled counsel, guidance and advice. For me, that person throughout my career was Robert Olislagers, longtime CEO of Centennial Airport, and Past Chair of our Colorado Aeronautical Board. I'll miss Robert terribly, and I'll never forget all he has done for me and our entire aviation industry."<br /><br />“I had the opportunity to work with Robert Olislagers over many years while he led Centennial Airport and later with the EAGLE Initiative,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO president and CEO. “He was a passionate, creative, and incredibly effective leader in our industry who will be greatly missed.”<br /><br />In 2003, Olislagers authored Public Law 108-7, Sec. 321 which restored federal funding to Centennial Airport after years without it. Under his leadership, the airport’s yearly economic impact rose from $815 million in 2008 to $2.1 billion in 2020.<br /><br />Olislagers was an active member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), served on the Colorado Aeronautical Board and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) Board, and received the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Silk Scarf Award. His impact is memorialized in the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame where he was inducted in 2021.<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">###&nbsp;<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  142. <category>Press Releases</category>
  143. <pubDate>Fri, 4 Oct 2024 18:28:00 GMT</pubDate>
  144. </item>
  145. <item>
  146. <title>NASAO Concludes Successful 93rd Annual Convention, Announces 2024 Award Winners</title>
  147. <link>https://nasao.org/news/682054/</link>
  148. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/682054/</guid>
  149. <description><![CDATA[<span id="docs-internal-guid-842e6f31-7fff-c07b-e5b2-604060830324"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Sept. 13, 2024</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Contact: Taylor Bryan</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">(202) 925-7345</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">WASHINGTON (Sept. 13, 2024) </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">– This week, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) concluded its 2024 Annual Convention and Trade Show in PITTSBURGH held from September 7-11, 2024. With more than 380 attendees registered and representation from 39 states and territories, NASAO leadership dubbed the event a success.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-842e6f31-7fff-c07b-e5b2-604060830324"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">“NASAO’s 93rd annual meeting once again provided the opportunity for state aviation leaders to discuss critical policy issues as well as access information on new developments in airport infrastructure, workforce development, and emerging aeronautical technologies,” said Greg Pecoraro, the association’s president and CEO. “It also brought state officials together with their partners at the FAA to exchange ideas on solving common problems and identifying opportunities to improve processes and information sharing vital to the maintenance and improvement of America’s airports.”</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-842e6f31-7fff-c07b-e5b2-604060830324"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">“It was an honor for PennDOT to host the 93</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><span style="font-size: 0.6em; vertical-align: super;">rd</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;"> NASAO Annual Convention &amp; Trade Show in Pittsburgh,” stated PennDOT Bureau of Aviation Director Anthony McCloskey, P.E. “With the convention theme ‘Preserve Today for a Better Tomorrow,’ attendees had the opportunity to hear about a range of topics varying from how states are handling pavement preservation to states’ visions for planning the next mode of transportation for goods and people – Advanced Air Mobility. All NASAO award winners epitomized some element of preservation or aviation’s emerging technology. I personally want to thank my Bureau of Aviation staff who were the backbone of the convention supporting all facets of the entire program.”&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The five-day event </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">included trade show floor demonstrations and exhibits, keynote speakers featuring Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis and Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Mike Carroll, panel sessions, and networking opportunities</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The convention also included two sessions where the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Multi-state Collaborative, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">a group of nearly 30 state government agencies focused on aviation or economic development with support from NASAO, presented and discussed their draft consensus papers on the role of the states in AAM, policy harmonization, minimum infrastructure plans and service levels, and leveraging GA infrastructure. The Collaborative is working toward finalizing a series of consensus papers that will help harmonize state efforts while acknowledging states’ unique needs so that the industry can expect consistency across the states and ensure that policies and infrastructure complement federal policy</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Additionally, NASAO state members </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">elected their</span><a href="https://nasao.org/news/681855/NASAO-Announces-2024---2025-Board-Members.htm" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">2024-2025 NASAO Board of Directors</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;"> with Martin Blake, multimodal division director at the Indiana Department of Transportation, starting his tenure as NASAO Board Chair on Sept. 11 for 2024-2025.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images2/09-13-24_state_member_photo.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-size: 14px;" face="Arial, sans-serif" color="#000000"><em>State aviation directors at the 2024 NASAO Annual Convention &amp; Trade Show. (Photo by NASAO/Daniel Stanley)&nbsp;</em></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">2024 NASAO Awards</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">During the convention, NASAO leadership named the recipients of the 2024 NASAO Awards, which honors state and individual contributions to aviation. The 2024 NASAO Award winners are:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://nasao.org/page/kenneth-rowe-ambassador-of-aviation-award" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">Kenneth A. Rowe Ambassador of Aviation Award</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">: Michael Trout, A.A.E</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">, Executive Administrator, Michigan Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Throughout Mike Trout’s 13-year career, the state benefited from his expertise and counsel on the aeronautics program to the governor’s office, the Legislature, the MAC, MDOT’s executive </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">team, airports, and community leaders. He was pivotal in implementing policies related to emerging aviation technologies in coordination with other state agencies and economic </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">development agencies to ensure safe integration of new technologies into the Michigan </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">aviation system. He advocated for internal growth and hiring a great aeronautics team who </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">will continue a safe aviation system that benefits the state of Michigan.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://nasao.org/page/most-innovative-state-program-award" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">Most Innovative State Program Award</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">: Office of Intermodal, Georgia Department of Transportation’s Airport Obstruction Identification Program</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The Georgia Department of Transportation developed the “Airport Obstruction Identification Program” on a statewide basis to assist airport owners as they improve safety standards required for public-use airports. This Program has advanced the data collection needed to identify obstructions to arrival and departure corridors, allowing airports to take action and meet required federal and state safety standards. This Program is part of the Georgia Airport Inspection and Licensing requirements under state statute and federal grant assurances to </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">maintain clear approach and departure paths to runway ends.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><a href="https://nasao.org/page/state-aviation-distinguished-service-award" style="text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #1155cc;">State Aviation Distinguished Service Award</span></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">: Linn Smith</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">, Airspace and Emerging Aviation Systems Manager, Michigan Department of Transportation</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Linn Smith has served as the manager of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Office of Aeronautics Airspace and Emerging Aviation Unit since its inception in late 2021. This new unit was created to promote and advance the demand for integrating emerging aviation technology within Michigan’s vast transportation network. Prior to this highly innovative and forward moving leadership position, he led the Aviation Planning, Environmental and Airspace Unit as a Supervisor for over five years and was a Planning and Zoning Specialist for over 18 years. Smith has over 33 years of service at MDOT.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Chair’s Award: Brian Olsen</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">, Aeronautics Administrator, Wyoming Department of Transportation</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Outgoing NASAO Board Chair Kyle Wanner awarded Brian Olsen for his outstanding contribution to the association and support of the Board Chair through his leadership as chair of NASAO’s Legislative Affairs Committee and Small Community Air Service Working Group. His advice to the NASAO Executive Committee on national policies and commitment to building consensus among his peers helped the organization to build a strong policy agenda, of which many of NASAO’s policy priorities were included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">President’s Award: Debra Sanning</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">, Deputy Regional Administrator for Central Region, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">NASAO President and CEO Pecoraro awarded Debra Sanning the President’s Award for her commitment to enhancing the relationship between the states and the FAA. Pecoraro noted that NASAO’s relationship with the FAA is the strongest it has been in years and that “no one has done more to facilitate and improve that relationship than Sanning.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">Future NASAO Conventions</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">The 2025 NASAO Annual Convention and Trade Show will be hosted in Anchorage, Alaska from September 21-24, 2025, at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; background-color: #ffffff; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">followed by Grand Forks, North Dakota in 2026.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">###</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.3800027272727273;text-align: center;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;">NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</span></p><div><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; color: #000000;"><br /></span></div>]]></description>
  150. <category>Press Releases</category>
  151. <pubDate>Fri, 13 Sep 2024 18:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
  152. </item>
  153. <item>
  154. <title>NASAO Announces 2024 - 2025 Board Members</title>
  155. <link>https://nasao.org/news/681855/</link>
  156. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/681855/</guid>
  157. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />Sept. 11, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>PITTSBURGH&nbsp;(Sept. 11, 2024)</strong> - Yesterday, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) announced members of the 2024 - 2025 Board of Directors at the 93<sup><span style="font-size: 10px;">rd</span></sup> Annual Convention &amp; Trade Show hosted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The NASAO Board of Directors – comprised of NASAO’s Executive Committee and Regional Directors – will be led by Martin Blake, Indiana. Blake is the third Indiana state director to serve in this position since NASAO was founded in 1931.&nbsp;<br /><br />“I am deeply honored to serve as the NASAO Chair for the upcoming year.&nbsp; For nearly 100 years, NASAO has been the heart, soul, and voice of state aviation officials,” stated Blake. “I am eager to lead and advocate for the interests of the members within the state aviation community. As the aviation industry continues to evolve and grow, NASAO will help state agencies work through challenging times and celebrate amazing successes. I look forward to working closely with our outstanding staff, our state aviation leaders, and our valued business partners to address industry challenges, explore innovative solutions, and seize opportunities that will enhance our nation's air transportation system.”<br /><br />"This past year has been marked by significant milestones for NASAO," said Kyle Wanner, Immediate Past Chair. "We successfully advocated for the passage of long-term FAA reauthorization, launched the State Aviation Databook, implemented the Affiliate Airport Program, and enhanced our support for state aviation organizations nationwide. Engagement within the association has reached new heights, with increased committee participation, innovative on-going state initiatives, and record conference attendance. It has been an honor to serve as Chair of this outstanding organization, and I am eager to see NASAO’s continued success under the leadership of our dedicated staff and incoming board members."<br /></p><p><img src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images_news/09-11-24-press-release.jpg" alt="NASAO Board" style="width: 100%;" /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: 14px;">From left to right: Frank Farmer, AL (NASAO Treasurer), Clayton Stambaugh, IL (NASAO Vice Chair), Kyle Wanner, ND (Immediate Past Chair), Martin Blake, IN (NASAO Chair), Becca Gallas, P.E., NC (NASAO Secretary), and Greg Pecoraro (NASAO President &amp; CEO).</span></em></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /><strong>Members of the 2024 - 2025 NASAO Executive Committee include:</strong><br />- <strong>Martin Blake</strong>, IN - NASAO Chair<br />- <strong>Clayton Stambaugh</strong>, IL - NASAO Vice Chair<br />- <strong>Frank Farmer</strong>, AL - NASAO Treasurer<br />- <strong>Becca Gallas</strong>, P.E., NC - NASAO Secretary<br />- <strong>Kyle Wanner</strong>, ND - NASAO Immediate Past Chair<br /><br /><strong>Members of the 2024 - 2025 NASAO Regional Directors include:</strong><br />- <strong>Tim McClung</strong>, IA – Central Region<br />- <strong>Greg Campbell</strong>, VA – Eastern Region<br />- <strong>Bryan Budds</strong>, MI - Great Lakes Region<br />- <strong>Alan Lambert</strong>, ME – New England Region<br />- <strong>Kenji Sugahara</strong>, OR – Northwest Mountain Region<br />- <strong>John Paul Saalwaechter</strong>, TN – Southern Region<br />- <strong>Dan Moran</strong>, NM – Southwest Region<br />- <strong>Natasha Ashby</strong>, NV – Western-Pacific Region<br /><br />The 2024 - 2025 NASAO Board of Directors was announced during a general session on Tuesday afternoon. The ushering in of the new board was commemorated by the passing of the gavel from NASAO Immediate Past Chair Kyle Wanner (ND) to Chair Martin Blake (IN).<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">###<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  158. <category>Press Releases</category>
  159. <pubDate>Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:32:00 GMT</pubDate>
  160. </item>
  161. <item>
  162. <title>Collaborative Effort of States Moves Toward Consensus on Key Issues for Safe and Sustainable AAM </title>
  163. <link>https://nasao.org/news/680426/</link>
  164. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/680426/</guid>
  165. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />August 22, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (August 22, 2024) </strong>– Twenty-seven states and the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) held the third meeting of the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Multi-state Collaborative in The Dalles, Oregon. Hosted by the Oregon Department of Aviation and Washington State Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, the Collaborative’s meeting featured growing participation from additional states and the private sector. The AAM Multi-state Collaborative is working toward consensus on key AAM policy issues and how state government can support the roll-out of AAM services as a complement to Federal Aviation Administration efforts and a foundation for industry development.&nbsp;<br /></p><p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/images2/08-22-24-press-release.jpg" style="width: 100%;" /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em>Photo courtesy of Kenji Sugahara</em></span></p><p>The AAM Multi-state Collaborative, consisting of state government agencies focused on aviation or economic development from 27 states across the country with support from NASAO, serves as a forum for states to discuss the role of the states, state-level policies, and infrastructure needed to support AAM operations. The Collaborative is working toward finalizing a series of consensus topic papers that will help harmonize state efforts, while acknowledging states’ unique needs, so that the industry can expect consistency across the states and ensure that policies and infrastructure complement federal policy.</p><p>This meeting focused on continuing to exchange lessons learned among the states and working the first key consensus topic papers focused on clarifying the role and scope of the states, the harmonization of policy across the states, a shared approach to physical and digital infrastructure, and how we leverage our existing general aviation assets. It also provided states with the opportunity to engage with and seek input from industry leaders in drone delivery and air mobility, who provided invaluable input to assure that the state consensus includes concepts that support the viable development of the industry. The attending members agreed to present the final draft consensus topic papers at the <a href="https://nasao2024.com/" target="_blank">NASAO Annual Convention &amp; Trade Show</a> in Pittsburgh, PA, from September 7 – 11, 2024, to receive final input before publishing the initial topics in the fall.<br /><br />“<em>In partnership with the FAA, states will play a critical role in successfully integrating AAM operations into the nation’s aviation system</em>,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “<em>The AAM Multi-state Collaborative is important to that effort, and the work being done by these states and their partners is impressive in its depth and foresight.</em>”<br /><br />Greg Campbell, director of the Virginia Department of Aviation, said, “<em>The AAM Multi-state Collaborative has made significant progress since its inception last year.&nbsp; As we work towards our goal of harmonizing state efforts and developing working plans to engage with the FAA and industry, we’ve identified seven key areas on which to focus. These include the role of the states, lessons learned, basic principles to approach AAM, policy harmonization, physical and digital infrastructure, extending and leveraging current infrastructure, and approaches to sustainable funding. We are now at a point where we are beginning to find consensus on these issues, which is critical to developing seamless AAM operations across the country.</em>”<br /><br />Kenji Sugahara, director of the Oregon Department of Aviation, said, “<em>From eight states at the end of November 2023, to 18 states in February, to 27 states in July, the AAM Multi-state Collaborative shows the importance of and excitement surrounding state-level cooperation on advanced air mobility. Participants in this year’s FAA Drone/AAM Symposium also recognized the important role that states will play in the development of this future technology. We are proud to be part of this effort to move this new form of aviation forward.</em>”&nbsp;<br /><br />Ann Richart, Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation director, said, “<em>AAM has the potential to not only transform the way we fly but provide additional transportation solutions to some of our most remote and underserved communities, as well as across the region.&nbsp; We were excited to co-host the Collaborative’s third meeting because the conversations happening today amongst the states, airports, OEMs and others will have profound impacts on how quickly we will be able to adopt these new technologies across the country and take advantage of the economic benefits.</em>”<br /><br />Founding members of the AAM Multi-state Collaborative include NASAO, Alaska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Virginia; with Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia joining earlier this year. Previous meetings were hosted by the Virginia Department of Aviation, JobsOhio (Ohio’s Economic Development Corporation), and NASAO.<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">###<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. NASAO represents state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  166. <category>Press Releases</category>
  167. <pubDate>Thu, 22 Aug 2024 16:54:00 GMT</pubDate>
  168. </item>
  169. <item>
  170. <title>NASAO Announces 2024 Henry Ogrodzinski Scholarship Recipients</title>
  171. <link>https://nasao.org/news/677023/</link>
  172. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/677023/</guid>
  173. <description><![CDATA[<span id="docs-internal-guid-e903ea7d-7fff-3fd9-a991-85222cc2f7ec"></span><p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />July 10, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925–7345<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (July 10, 2024)</strong> – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) announced today the three recipients of the 2024 Henry Ogrodzinski (Henry O.) Scholarship:<br /></p><ul><li>Julia Cagasan (Liberty University)</li><li>Christine Larson (Southern Utah University)</li><li>Tatum Navrkal (University of Nebraska at Omaha)</li></ul><p>Established by NASAO in 2014, this scholarship is awarded in memory of Henry Ogrodzinski, who led NASAO as its President and CEO from 1996 to 2013. Henry O. (as he was referred to by the industry) dedicated his life to higher education and academic achievement. The Henry O. Scholarship Program awards $1,000 to three college upperclassmen who are pursuing a career in the aviation or aerospace industry.<br />&nbsp;<br />“From more than 40 applicants, we are pleased to have selected these individuals for the Henry O. Scholarship,” said Mike McHugh Chair of NASAO’s Aviation Education Committee and Aviation Education Coordinator of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. “We hope to continue Henry’s legacy while aiding these students in pursuing their dreams. Congratulations to the recipients!”&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />“NASAO is excited to once again advance the future of aviation by awarding scholarships to these three outstanding students,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “Through the support and encouragement we can offer these students, we advance both our industry and honor the legacy of our long-time president, Henry O.”<br />&nbsp;<br />For more information on the scholarship and application process, please visit <a href="https://nasao.org/page/henry-ogrodzinski-scholarship" target="_blank">NASAO's website</a>.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in developing and promoting a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  174. <category>Press Releases</category>
  175. <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jul 2024 14:15:00 GMT</pubDate>
  176. </item>
  177. <item>
  178. <title>NASAO Remembers Former Senator Jim Inhofe</title>
  179. <link>https://nasao.org/news/677007/</link>
  180. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/677007/</guid>
  181. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />July 9, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925–7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington D.C. (July 9, 2024)</strong> - The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) mourns the passing of former Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK). For nearly three decades, Inhofe served as a U.S. senator to Oklahoma before retiring in 2023. A pilot himself, Inhofe was a dedicated public servant who championed legislation supporting the general aviation community.&nbsp;<br /><br />“Senator Jim Inhofe was a passionate aviator, as well as a dedicated public servant,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President &amp; CEO. “Guided by his passion and experience, his many legislative accomplishments in this field helped shape the nation’s aviation policy for decades. He was a true champion for aviation in the Senate and we will always remember his tremendous impact on our industry. NASAO and its members send their deepest sympathies to Senator Inhofe’s family and friends.”<br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">###<br />&nbsp;<br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in developing and promoting a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  182. <category>Press Releases</category>
  183. <pubDate>Tue, 9 Jul 2024 22:42:00 GMT</pubDate>
  184. </item>
  185. <item>
  186. <title>Three Americans Place in International Aviation Art Contest</title>
  187. <link>https://nasao.org/news/673855/</link>
  188. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/673855/</guid>
  189. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE&nbsp;<br />May 30, 2024&nbsp;<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan&nbsp;<br />(202) 925-7345&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (May 30, 2024) -</strong> The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) is proud to congratulate Eric Shen (2nd place, ages 6-9) and Iris Xie (3rd place, ages 10-13) from Virginia, and Jihyeon (Elly) Han (1st place, ages 14-17) from Kansas for placing in their respective categories at the International Young Artists Contest. They are three of the nine artists placed nationally through the coordinated efforts of the NASAO Center for Aviation Research &amp; Education and the <a href="https://naa.aero/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">National Aeronautic Association (NAA)</span></a>.&nbsp;</p><p style="text-align: left;">The 2024 theme, “Air Sports for a Peaceful World,” encouraged students to create artwork demonstrating how air sports can unite people of different backgrounds, form friendships, and make the world a better place. The FAI announced the 2024 International Young Artist Contest winners earlier this week, and participating countries included China, Egypt, France, India, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Qatar, Oman, Poland, Pakistan, Serbia, Thailand, and the USA.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />The international art contest, presented by the FAI, is held annually with a theme that aims to inspire interest in aviation among youth by providing them with a space to express their ideas through art. The NAA is the National Aero Club (NAC) member of the FAI and delegates authority to NASAO, who oversees the event in partnership with the NAA. The contest has introduced air sports to children nationally for decades and continues to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and athletes through the participation of NASAO’s state members.&nbsp;<br /><br />The contest opens for submissions after the FAI announces the theme during the summer. Delegated state authorities first consider artwork, with the winning entries forwarded to Washington, D.C., for national award judging. The NAA and NASAO received over 150 art pieces this year from nearly half of the country’s states and territories.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />Congratulations to the 2024 U.S. National and International winners!&nbsp;<br /><br />View the <a href="https://nasao.org/news/667398/NASAO-Announces-2024-U.S.-Youth-Aviation-Art-Contest-Winners.htm" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 U.S. winners and entries</span></a>&nbsp;<br />View the <a href="https://www.fai.org/young-artists-contest-winners/155483/2024" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2024 international winning entries&nbsp;</span></a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;<br />###&nbsp;<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in developing and promoting a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.&nbsp;</p>]]></description>
  190. <category>Press Releases</category>
  191. <pubDate>Thu, 30 May 2024 17:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
  192. </item>
  193. <item>
  194. <title>NASAO and FAA Sign MOU to Enhance Partnership on the State Block Grant Program</title>
  195. <link>https://nasao.org/news/673651/</link>
  196. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/673651/</guid>
  197. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />May 28, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2024) -</strong> The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) signed a <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.org/resource/collection/C660E4EB-BED1-4DEE-8B68-7663A3E6FC2A/ARA-240214-001__NASAO_FAA_MOU_SBG_Final_-__Signed_4-16-24_AOA__1_.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)</span></a> with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to continue to work in partnership to enhance the administration of the state block grants under the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The MOU signed by FAA Administrator, Michael Whitaker, and NASAO Board Chair, Kyle Wanner, went into effect on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.<br /><br />“I am pleased to join with Administrator Whitaker in renewing this cooperative agreement between the FAA and NASAO on the State Block Grant Program” said Kyle Wanner, Chair of NASAO’s Board of Directors. “NASAO has important ongoing responsibilities assisting the states as they participate in the program, and the FAA’s acknowledgement of this role is a critical piece of our overall partnership with the agency.”<br /><br />“Since the original pilot program was authorized by Congress in 1987, the FAA’s State Block Grant Program has grown to give ten participating states the responsibility for administering Federal AIP grants to nonprimary commercial service, reliever, and general aviation airports” said Gregory Pecoraro, NASAO’s President and CEO. “In close cooperation with the FAA, these states use their familiarity with local aviation conditions to successfully administer the program, which includes performing much of the FAA’s oversight role at these airports.”<br /><br />NASAO has a longstanding partnership with the FAA in managing the nation’s aviation system. In a testament to the continuing success of this partnership, several MOUs on a variety of subjects have been originated or renewed since the initial MOU was signed in 1996.<br /><br />This recently signed MOU seeks to address key issues through continued collaboration on federal and state levels. The MOU outlined key objectives, action goals, and the overall process and structure to work towards the stated goals.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /># # #<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Our mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.</p>]]></description>
  198. <category>Press Releases</category>
  199. <pubDate>Tue, 28 May 2024 19:57:00 GMT</pubDate>
  200. </item>
  201. <item>
  202. <title>State Aviation Officials Commend Final Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill</title>
  203. <link>https://nasao.org/news/672585/</link>
  204. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/672585/</guid>
  205. <description><![CDATA[<p>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />May 15, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (May 15, 2024)</strong> - The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) today welcomed final passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization bill (<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3935" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">H.R. 3935</span></a>), reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and associated programs through fiscal year 2028. The bill now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.&nbsp;<br /><br />“This bipartisan, bicameral bill provides much-needed long-term certainty that state aviation agencies and airports need to address our aging airport infrastructure,” said Gregory Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “The bill advances many of NASAO’s priorities, including increasing investments in our nation’s public-use airports, funding for small community air service programs, improving the reliability of automated weather systems, establishing a grant program to increase infrastructure project efficiencies for state, tribal, and local governments, and enhancing the State Block Grant Program. It also takes some important first steps in preparing for the future of aviation. We are grateful to the House and Senate Committee leadership for all their hard work in reaching an agreement on a final bill and getting it across the finish line. State aviation agencies look forward to working with the Administration and others to start implementing the bill.”<br /><br />View the <a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20240513/FAA.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">full bill text</span></a>.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Our mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /></p><div>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  206. <category>Press Releases</category>
  207. <pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2024 16:43:00 GMT</pubDate>
  208. </item>
  209. <item>
  210. <title>State Aviation Officials Applaud Senate Passage of FAA Reauthorization Bill</title>
  211. <link>https://nasao.org/news/672241/</link>
  212. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/672241/</guid>
  213. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />May 10, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2024)</strong> – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) President and CEO, Greg Pecoraro, issued the following statement regarding U.S. Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization bill:&nbsp;<br /><br />“NASAO applauds the U.S. Senate for passing this bipartisan, bicameral FAA Reauthorization bill. This comprehensive bill ensures that we continue to make much needed investments in our aging aviation infrastructure, but also plan for the future and take advantage of exciting new aeronautical technologies that will keep the United States at the forefront of global aviation. We thank Committee Chair Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member Ted Cruz, Subcommittee Chair Tammy Duckworth, and Subcommittee Ranking Member, Jerry Moran, and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for their leadership and commitment on getting this bill through the Senate. We look forward to seeing the House take up and pass the bill quickly on their return next week.”<br /><br />Earlier this week, NASAO sent a <a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/nasao.org/resource/collection/C660E4EB-BED1-4DEE-8B68-7663A3E6FC2A/NASAO_Letter_of_Support_for_FAA_Reauth_Bill_May2024.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">letter in support</span></a> of the bipartisan, bicameral FAA reauthorization bill and urging Congress to pass it quickly before the current authorization expired.&nbsp;<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /></p><div>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  214. <category>Press Releases</category>
  215. <pubDate>Fri, 10 May 2024 16:35:00 GMT</pubDate>
  216. </item>
  217. <item>
  218. <title>State Aviation Officials Commend Bipartisan Agreement on FAA Reauthorization</title>
  219. <link>https://nasao.org/news/671413/</link>
  220. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/671413/</guid>
  221. <description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />April 30, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (April 30, 2024)</strong> - The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) commends the bipartisan, bicameral compromise FAA reauthorization bill, which the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committees released yesterday. This bill would authorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and associated programs through fiscal year 2028.&nbsp;<br /><br />“State aviation officials are pleased to see a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on a FAA reauthorization bill,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO President and CEO. “We are particularly pleased to see NASAO-backed provisions included in the compromise bill, including increasing investments in the nation’s public-use airports, funding for the Essential Air Service and the Small Community Air Service Development programs, recognizing the need to improve the reliability of automated weather systems, establishing a grant program for state, tribal, and local governments to purchase and use drones to increase infrastructure project efficiencies, and supporting the State Block Grant Program.<br /><br />We commend the House and Senate Committee leadership and their staff for finding a way forward on this critical legislation. We urge Congress to pass this bill quickly before the current authorization expires on May 10<sup>th</sup>.”&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />The bill text can be viewed <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/070A7E5D-A95A-42D8-99D2-60DEA347EE32" target="_blank">here</a> and a section-by-section summary can be viewed <a href="https://www.commerce.senate.gov/services/files/E4B4E5F6-AA83-4F9E-B21C-0F03F95F5FE0" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br />###<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<br /></p><div>&nbsp;</div>]]></description>
  222. <category>Press Releases</category>
  223. <pubDate>Tue, 30 Apr 2024 23:50:00 GMT</pubDate>
  224. </item>
  225. <item>
  226. <title>NASAO Announces 2024 U.S. Youth Aviation Art Contest Winners</title>
  227. <link>https://nasao.org/news/667398/</link>
  228. <guid>https://nasao.org/news/667398/</guid>
  229. <description><![CDATA[<span id="docs-internal-guid-c653b86c-7fff-7cf4-fe8f-4e3a8d5c0472"></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br />March 14, 2024<br />Contact: Taylor Bryan<br />(202) 925-7345<br /><br /><strong>Washington, D.C. (March 14, 2024)</strong> – Today, the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), in partnership with <a href="https://naa.aero/" target="_blank">National Aeronautic Association (NAA)</a>, announced the winners of the 2024 U.S. Youth Aviation Art Contest. The judging was conducted by representatives from: Aircraft Owners &amp; Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation; Equus Flight Academy/US Alt. Delegate to the FAI Education Commission; NAA; NASAO; Signature Flight Support; and the National Air &amp; Space Museum.<br /><br />This year, NASAO received over 150 pieces of artwork depicting peace in air sports from nearly half of the country’s states and territories. The annual contest is part of a larger <a href="https://www.fai.org/yac" target="_blank">international effort</a> to inspire youth to illustrate the importance of aviation through art. Contest submissions were grouped into three separate age categories for judging allowing students ranging from 6 to 17 years old to compete. The 2024 theme was “Air Sports for a Peaceful World” which encouraged students to create artwork demonstrating how air sports can bring people of different backgrounds together, forming friendships and making the world a better place.<br /><br />To qualify for the national contest, all artwork was first submitted to state-level competitions with the winning entries advancing for national consideration. Judging on the national level was based on artistic ability and portrayal of theme. The national winners have been submitted for the 2024 International Aviation Art Contest which will be judged in June by the <a href="https://www.fai.org/" target="_blank">Fédération Aéronautique Internationale</a>.&nbsp;<br /><br />View the winning entries <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/192582491@N03/albums/72177720315394124/" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>NASAO congratulates the 2024 U.S. Winners:</strong><br /><br /><strong>Junior Category:</strong><br />1st Place: Jasmine Lee | North Carolina, Age 9<br />2nd Place: Jeremy Zhao | New York, Age 8<br />3rd Place: Eric Shen | Virginia, Age 8<br /><br /><strong>Intermediate Category:</strong><br />1st Place: Sophia Qu | Washington, Age 13<br />2nd Place: Iris Xie | Virginia, Age 13<br />3rd Place: Stephanie Fu | Texas, Age 13<br /><br /><strong>Senior Category:</strong><br />1st Place: Isabel Chang | North Carolina, Age 17<br />2nd Place: Jihyeon (Elly) Han | Kansas, Age 14<br />3rd Place: Yeji Na | North Carolina, Age 17<br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />###<br /><br />NASAO is the nationally recognized voice for the public interest in aviation on behalf of the states and territories. We represent state government aviation agencies in all 50 states, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Its mission is to encourage and foster cooperation throughout the public sector in the development and promotion of a national aviation system that safely and effectively serves the needs of citizens, commerce, and communities throughout the United States.<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>]]></description>
  230. <category>Press Releases</category>
  231. <pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2024 15:22:00 GMT</pubDate>
  232. </item>
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