The City of Kissimmee has secured a $10 million federal grant through the FAA Contract Tower Program to build a new air traffic control tower at Kissimmee Gateway Airport (KISM), replacing the airport’s aging facility built in 1997.
FAA
Four Down, 608 to Go
The FAA’s new Modern Skies tracker reveals critical delays in the radar upgrade project.
NTSB Recommends FAA Update Runway Condition Assessment Matrix
Following investigations into 11 runway overrun accidents, the NTSB has issued three safety recommendations to the FAA to update its runway condition assessment matrix for heavy rainfall.
FAA Administrator Says ADS-B Should Not Be a Fee Collection Tool
At least a dozen states are considering legislation to prevent ADS-B from being used to collect fees. Montana and Florida have already passed bans. But aviation advocates say a nationwide ban is needed.
Oklahoma Greenlights $520 Million Airport Construction Program
The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission has approved a $520 million, five-year Airport Construction Program running through 2031. Funding 176 total infrastructure developments—including terminal upgrades, runway extensions, and new hangars—the pro-growth initiative aims to enhance safety, boost local economies, and expand the state’s global aerospace footprint.
Oshkosh NOTAM Released
The 2026 NOTAM is required reading for any pilot flying to Oshkosh for AirVenture.
FAA To Invest $26 Million to Bolster Aviation Workforce
Available grants include Aircraft Pilots Workforce Development Grants, which fund efforts to educate and recruit students to become aircraft pilots or drone operators, and Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grants, which support initiatives focused on educating and recruiting future aviation mechanics and maintenance technicians.
What Inspired the Wright Brothers?
Toy airplanes are often a child’s first introduction to aviation, but did you know that a toy helicopter is what inspired the Wright brothers?
FAA Invests $16.5 Million to Boost Runway Safety with Vehicle Transponders
To bolster runway safety, the FAA is investing $16.5 million to equip 1,900 airport vehicles with transponders. This initiative, accelerated by a recent ground collision at LaGuardia, aims to give air traffic controllers full visibility of all airfield surface traffic.