Since the program’s introduction in 2019, more than 730 scholarships have been provided to young people. The current pilot certificate completion rate for Ray Scholars is 81%, with approximately 240 more scholars currently in flight training, according to EAA officials.
Briefings
The popularity of plane spotting
LA Flights, a YouTube channel dedicated to plane spotting, reached a milestone in July 2023: 200,000 active subscribers.
Wanted: Another school ready for takeoff
The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire has opened its search for another high school to start a student plane-building program.
New foundation supports volunteer pilot organizations
The foundation raises money from aviation and non-aviation companies and individuals to provide funding for volunteer pilot organizations towards hiring the staff to facilitate expansion and volunteer pilot recruitment, as well as purchase the software and administrative systems required to optimize community coordination and mission management, according to Jay Taffet, founder of the Charitable Aviation Foundation.
Improvements planned at 5Y7
The Recreational Aviation Foundation will help pay for a restroom, shower, kitchenette, and space to accommodate storage, and charging of electric bicycles so visitors can tour the town and access the National Park Service Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior.
Textron Aviation expands interior manufacturing facility
Textron Aviation is adding 16,000 square feet to its Interior Manufacturing Facility in Wichita “to support growing demand for unique and custom Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft interiors,” according to company officials.
Prime Appearance expands with acquisitions
The acquisitions add operations for Prime Appearance at Charlotte/Douglas International Airport (KCLT) in North Carolina, New Castle Airport (KILG) in Delaware, New York Stewart International Airport (KSWF), Morristown Municipal Airport (KMMU) and Trenton Mercer Airport (KTTN) in New Jersey, while adding mobile support at Francis S Gabreski Airport (KFOK) in Westhampton Beach, New York.
Date, location set for 2024 FlightSimExpo
The fifth annual FlightSimExpo will be held June 21-23, 2024, in Las Vegas.
FAA extends Remote ID enforcement date for drone pilots
Drone pilots who are unable to comply with the FAA’s broadcast requirement of the Remote ID Rule now have until March 16, 2024, to equip their aircraft. The original deadline was Sept. 16, 2023.