Dear Fellow Greater Miami Aviation Association members, contributors, and scholarship recipients;

2025 has been a record breaking year in many aspects of this storied association. Completing our 98th year as a civic organization in Miami is a huge accomplishment. Over the next two years we will prepare ourselves for the 100th anniversary of this historic institution.

The principal mission of the GMAA is to award scholarships to individuals that are seeking careers in aviation within our community. To that end we awarded almost $100,000 worth of scholarships, a type rating, and ATP–CTP course this year. We also raised an additional $100,000 for an aviation finance scholarship in partnership with the University of Miami and the Carlyle Aviation Partners courtesy of Robert Korn and William Hoffman. This is on top of the ongoing commitments to increase the scholarship funds by $100,000 thanks to David and Kevin Vail, founders of Aero Accessories.

Along this path we have had wonderful luncheons, a women’s aviation panel, airline speakers, a presentation in Pembroke Pines with the Broward County Aviation department, and another about Miami-Dade Aviation Department future plans. Two excellent golf tournaments, our first board member’s planning retreat, and many more things to come.

I hope your 2025 was as productive and filled with accomplishments. We’re looking forward to a 2026 re-energize with more opportunities for our scholarship recipients, networking events for our members, and streamline services from the GMAA. We wish you all a happy holiday, blue skies.

Sincerely, 

Wayman Eddy Luy

GMAA Third Vice President

Homestead Executive Jet Center Announces Grand Opening of New 13,600 sq. ft. Hangar at X51

The Homestead Executive Jet Center at Homestead General Aviation Airport (X51) is proud to announce the grand opening on February 1st, 2026 of its newest facility—a 13,600-square-foot, state-of-the-art aircraft hangar now available for storage.

Designed with South Florida’s unique operational needs in mind, this modern shared hangar offers enhanced hurricane-resistant construction, advanced safety features, and ample space to accommodate a wide range of general aviation aircraft. The new facility reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of aviation in the Greater Miami region by providing high-quality, secure storage options for pilots, aircraft owners, and flight operations.

Located just minutes from the Florida Keys and Miami’s southern corridor, Homestead Executive Jet Center continues to expand as a convenient and efficient hub for both private and business aviation. With this new hangar, tenants will benefit from:

·         Premium shared storage within a newly constructed, weather-hardened structure

·         Exceptional accessibility at a pilot-friendly airfield with low congestion

·         Professional on-site support from our dedicated operations and maintenance teams

We are now accepting applications for placement in the new hangar and encourage interested aircraft owners to secure space early.

For inquiries or to apply, please contact the Homestead Executive Jet Center team at annie@hejc.miami. We will be happy to schedule a tour and meet our entire FBO team.

We look forward to welcoming you to our growing aviation community at X51 on February 1st, 2026.

By Rebekah Knaster, 
Becks and the Jets LLC

Across the aviation industry, data has become central to nearly every operation. From maintenance planning to flight optimization. The same shift is happening in marketing, where analytics now play an important role in how organizations understand and communicate with their audiences.

Email engagement, website activity, and social media insights offer valuable indicators of what information resonates within the aviation community. These metrics go beyond surface level numbers. They provide clues about the topics stakeholders find meaningful, the formats they prefer, and the messages that earn their attention.

As more aviation businesses adopt digital tools, the ability to interpret these signals becomes increasingly important. Small insights, such as which subject line performs best or which type of LinkedIn post generates the most engagement, can help guide future communication strategies. Over time, these patterns support clearer decision making and more effective outreach.

Analytics can also highlight emerging interests in the industry. Consistent engagement with themes like sustainability, workforce challenges, or AOG (Answer Engine Optimization) support may point to areas where organizations can expand their messaging or services. In this way, data becomes a resource not only for marketing, but for understanding broader trends affecting the local aviation community.

In an environment where attention is limited and competition is high, treating analytics as a tool for learning, not just reporting, can help strengthen relationships, improve communication, and support long-term growth.



Rebekah Knaster is the founder of Becks and the Jets LLC, a marketing agency specializing in aviation and aerospace brands.

Thank you to our Sponsor

US Air Tool Company LLC Achieves ISO 9001 Certification Through American Global Standards (AGS), Reinforcing Commitment to Quality and Operational Excellence

US Air Tool Company LLC, a leading provider of industrial tools and fastener solutions, is proud to announce that it has achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification, accredited by American Global Standards (AGS). This globally recognized standard affirms the company's commitment to quality management, customer satisfaction, and continuous operational improvement.

The certification, awarded following a rigorous audit by AGS, validates US Air Tool's implementation of an effective quality management system that meets the high standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

This certification is a significant milestone and a testament to the discipline and commitment of the team at USATCO. Being ISO 9001 certified by AGS reflects USATCO's dedication to building a culture of quality and accountability—both internally and in every customer interaction. It also supports our long-term growth strategy in key markets, including aerospace, defense, and industrial manufacturing.

ISO 9001 certification reinforces US Air Tool's ability to deliver consistent quality, strengthen internal processes, and enhance the overall customer experience. It further demonstrates the company's commitment to excellence, reliability, and continuous improvement.

US Air Tool Company LLC is a trusted distributor and technical resource for aerospace-grade hand tools, temporary fasteners, and installation systems. With decades of industry experience and partnerships with premier manufacturers, the company supports a broad base of OEMs, MROs, and supply chain partners throughout North America.

Regards, Patrick Crippen 

Director – Business Development and Sales 

Cell: 940-205-3056

Patrick.crippen@usatco.com

December 9, 2025

Dear Committee Members of the Greater Miami Aviation Association:

I am writing to sincerely thank you for awarding me the 2025 Greater Miami Aviation Association Scholarship. I am truly honored and thankful to have been chosen as a recipient.

This scholarship not only eases the financial burden of pursuing my aviation studies, but it also motivates me to work harder toward my goals of becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot and earning a Broward College offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Aerospace Sciences. Your generosity has made it possible for me to focus more on my education and training and less on financial stress.

I appreciate the dedication of the Board members to work to provide the scholarships as well as dedicate their time to the scholarships. Being a part of the scholarship luncheon presentation and listening to the presenters helps me to see that there are many truly generous people in the aviation. It was kind and heartwarming to hear how much the scholarship committee enjoys conducting the scholarship interviews.  

I am truly inspired by your commitment to supporting students like me, and I have made it my goal to pay forward by contributing to the scholarship. While I am still in school my contribution will be small, however, I will make up for it by committing my time and money in the future. 

Thank you again for your kindness, generosity, and belief in me.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Tyler Thomas

2025 GMAA Scholarship Recipient

Hangar 5 Foundation, Inc. (“H5F”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in July 2024 to address the lack of comprehensive public resources showcasing Florida’s rich aviation history. Since our founding, we have worked diligently to make this history more accessible to today’s audiences.

We engage the public through daily aviation-related posts on Facebook, designed to both entertain and educate our growing community. Our website, http://www.hangar5foundation.org/, is an evolving resource for researchers and anyone interested in the fascinating story of aviation in Florida.

H5F is also proud to be the applicant for a pending National Register of Historic Places listing, which will establish a Pan Am Historic District at Miami International Airport (MIA). This district includes the five remaining former Pan Am buildings on MIA’s north field along NW 36th Street, constructed between 1929 and 1980. It represents the largest surviving group of Pan Am buildings in the world, embodying not only the history of Pan Am and MIA, but also the broader story of 20th-century aviation and Miami’s pivotal role in it.

We invite our esteemed GMAA colleagues to visit our website, connect with us on Facebook, and support our mission to preserve and foster appreciation for the aviation heritage that makes us all proud.

For more information, please contact:

Deborah Stander

President, Hangar 5 Foundation, Inc.

Email: webmaster@hangar5foundation.org

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“We welcome you with gratitude for becoming a member of our association. Your Support fuels our mission and we are honored to have you as part of our community"