Many people — including those in aviation — rarely recognize how big a part of the ATC system contract air control towers represent.
News
Celebrating the general aviation boom
The Vintage Aircraft Association (VAA) is kicking off a year-long celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the post-war general aviation boom of 1946 — a transformative year that brought tens of thousands of aircraft into the skies and launched what many call the “Class of ’46.”
Epic Flight Academy opens flight school at KTCL
Epic Flight Academy held a grand opening of its ninth FAA Part 141 flight school on Aug. 30, 2025, at Tuscaloosa National Airport (KTCL) in Alabama.
Atlantic Aviation expands into Big Sky Country
Atlantic Aviation has expanded its nationwide FBO network to 106 locations with the addition of its first in Montana at Glacier Park International Airport (KGPI) in Kalispell.
Registration opens for Aviation Design Challenge
This annual competition, now in its 14th year, promotes careers in aviation in high schools through aviation-focused STEM education curriculum that incorporates flight simulation and aircraft design.
Expanding electrification across Michigan
Avflight, in partnership with electric aerospace company BETA Technologies, has installed electric aircraft charging infrastructure at four of its Michigan-based FBOs.
Canada urged to accept BasicMed
More than 90,000 pilots have qualified to fly under BasicMed privileges since the program’s inception in 2017, according to AOPA officials.
Whirly-Girls open 2026 scholarship season
The Whirly-Girls will award more than $550,000 in scholarships in 2026 for helicopter flight training, maintenance training, and educational scholarships.
Danger over the desert
In the latest video from AOPA’s Air Safety Institute, “Real Pilot Story: Danger over the Desert,” ferry pilot Kerry McCauley speaks about a mission he elected to abandon — the only time in his career he has chosen to do so — due to safety concerns with the aircraft.