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Dear NASAO Members,
While our fearless leader Greg Pecoraro is taking a much needed break, I’ll be reporting out this week!
This week, I had the pleasure of attending the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Symposium on Aviation Innovation and Research in the birthplace of aviation (and yours truly) - Dayton, OH. Little pockets of America’s aviation history are scattered across the city; the Wright Brothers home, their bicycle shop, the prairie where they conducted hundreds of test flights, are all here serving as a benchmark for just how far our industry has come in the last 122 years.
Listening in on these sessions, I often found myself wondering if Orville and Wilbur ever imagined that we would be gathering in their hometown, not just discussing their flying machine, but the incredibly complex aviation infrastructure that our members now work tirelessly to maintain and improve. I’m no engineer, but I am a Dayton-native and I can confidently say they would be pretty impressed by the game-changing research shared at the symposium.
While many NASAO members and partners participate in the broader TRB Annual Meeting, this conference was particularly relevant to our members as it focused entirely on aviation in a much more intimate setting. This provided attendees with the perfect opportunity to dive deep into the research that is shaping the future of aviation and make connections with those driving these advancements. When asked how his state benefits from participating in TRB, Jason Schronce (NC) shared, “TRB is a great platform to ask the right questions for additional research to bring AAM operations into full capabilities in the future. This Innovation Symposium was a great opportunity to share our state and regional AAM planning initiatives to make it a reality faster in front of researchers, consultants, and our peer state partners.”
Topics ranged from pavement preservation to personnel training to emerging technologies like advanced air mobility (AAM) or the use of AI in airport planning. In one session, Schronce (NC) and Clement Solomon (GA) gave a “reality check” of the state of AAM where they provided an overview of what it will take to make it more viable. This session embodied the core of the conference’s mission, underlining the importance of how we communicate this research not only within the industry, but with the public. When I caught up with Solomon following the session, he shared, “AAM should be seen as a ‘Modal choice’ paradigm that fits, augments, and supports the existing transportation system rather than being a technology solution. At this early phase, our primary focus should be to ‘move people’s minds before we move them from one place to another.’” Solomon’s message underscored that successful innovation requires more than advancing technology, it requires building understanding, trust, and acceptance among the people who will ultimately adopt and benefit from it.
Other attending states included Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Illinois state director and NASAO board chair Clayton Stambaugh, who gave an overview of NASAO’s AAM Multistate Collaborative. It was also great to catch up with our friends from Woolpert, Kimley-Horn, Applied Pavement Technologies, AECOM, Mead & Hunt, 1200.aero, Airport Monitoring Systems, Marr Arnold Planning, as well as the FAA and USDOT.
While I could write pages more about Dayton and the symposium, there are some important NASAO housekeeping items to cover! First, NASAO’s Annual Convention early bird registration deadline is next Monday, June 15 (click here to register before prices increase). You can also learn more about reserving a booth as well as the exciting changes we’re bringing to the Trade Show floor here. Booths are sold on a first come, first serve basis with priority given to sponsors. Next week, NASAO will be hosting a webinar for state members titled “Contemporary Issues in Air Cargo System Planning & Introduction to ACRP 03-80.” Please reach out to me if you didn’t receive the registration link! Last but not least, nominations for the NASAO Awards are due next Friday. These awards offer a prime opportunity for your state aviation agency and its employees to be acknowledged for their dedication and impact on the field, so we encourage you to review the guidelines and submit a nomination.
That’s all for this week! Regular programming with Greg Pecoraro will resume next Friday, but should you need anything in the meantime, Jessica, Hayley, and I would be more than happy to assist.
Blue Skies,
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Taylor Bryan
NASAO Manager of Marketing & Communications
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Aviation Issues in Congress
Week of June 15, 2026
U.S. Senate
The Senate is expected to convene for votes on June 15, 2026.
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
No aviation issues scheduled for hearing or markup
Senate Committee on Appropriations
No aviation issues scheduled for hearing or markup
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Nomination Hearing:
- David Cummins, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration
- Brian Cavanaugh, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Management, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Cameron Hamilton, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 9:00 am ET
Watch Live>>>
U.S. House of Representatives
The House is expected to convene for votes on June 23, 2026.
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
No aviation issues scheduled for hearing or markup
House Committee on Appropriations
No aviation issues scheduled for hearing or markup
Aviation bills recently introduced
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H.R.9225, requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study to assess whether certain aircraft certified under part 23 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, may be used in operations conducted under part 121 of such title. Introduced by Tracey Mann (R-KS-01).
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H.R.2216, amends title 49, United States Code, to except from certain requirements relating to eligibility for essential air service Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands Introduced by Delegate Jim Moylan (R-GU-01).
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H.R.9170, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027. Introduced by Representative Steve Womack (R-AR-03).
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STATE MEMBER EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR | Contemporary Issues in Air Cargo System Planning & Introduction to ACRP 03-80
This educational webinar will provide participants with an overview of the current air cargo industry, its challenges and opportunities. The presenters comprise the research team for ACRP 03-80 (Air Cargo System Planning Guide) concerning the coordination of regional air cargo planning between local airport operators, MPOs, State DOTs and federal entities, as well as between the public and private sectors. The subject is particularly timely, as the need to modernize on-airport cargo facilities and their supporting infrastructure has been documented by a variety of trade associations and corroborated by the GAO.
Following an overview of the U.S. air cargo market, the presenters will lead a discussion of current and recent cargo planning efforts by State DOTs, and ideally some of the challenges experienced therein. Rather than resolving these challenges immediately, the researchers hope that the session provides the basis for subsequent meetings (remotely) with the individual states and their constituents.
If you are a State Member who did not receive the registration link, please reach out to tbryan@nasao.org.
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NASAO has a memorable convention planned, full of engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and unforgettable moments.
Lock in Early Bird rates before they expire on Monday, June 15!
| If you need assistance with registration or are a NASAO Member or Partner who did not receive an email with the registration code for discounted rates, please reach out to events@nasao.org | | | | | The NASAO Annual Convention & Trade Show hotel room blocks are officially OPEN! NASAO has rooms at three premier hotels - all conveniently located within a few miles of the venue. Learn more and book below! | | NASAO is excited to share the final trade show floor plan for the annual convention! To book or check availability, please reach out to events@nasao.org. | | | |
NASAO Accepting Award Nominations Through June 19
Here at NASAO, we believe excellent work should not go unrecognized! The NASAO Awards honor individual leaders, innovative state projects, and educational programs that make a significant impact in the field of aviation.
Please visit the NASAO Awards page to review eligibility requirements. All nominations must be submitted by a state member by Friday, June 19, at the Microsoft Form below.
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Join a NASAO Committee!
AIRPORTS COMMITTEE
Chair: Grayson Ardies, Executive Director, Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics
The Airports Committee monitors trends and issues impacting U.S. airports, studies and analyzes issues and solutions, and makes recommendations to the NASAO membership on policies, actions, partnerships that NASAO should make to improve the overall state of U.S. airports.
AVIATION EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Chair: Hetty Carlson, Aviation Education Grants and Outreach Specialist, Colorado Division of Aeronautics
The NASAO Aviation Education Committee is tasked with updating the current online training modules, assisting with creation of additional modules, continue the aviation education webinar series, and more.
BLOCK GRANT COMMITTEE (State Members only)
Chair: Dan Harmon, Director, Aviation Division, Texas Department of Transportation
The Block Grant Committee works towards increased flexibility in state administration of the program, acts as a forum for resolving common state issues, promotes the voluntary expansion of the state block grant program, and serves as a resource to share with existing block grant states and to educate new states entering the state block grant program.
CHANNELING STATES COMMITTEE (State Members only)
Co-Chairs: Marcus Dial, State Aviation Director, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Michael Buening, Chief Airport Engineer, Indiana Department of Transportation
The Channeling States Committee focuses on sharing information that will assist channeling states with successful implementation of their state’s channeling requirements and informing and making recommendations to the NASAO Board of Directors (Board), staff, and committees on issues impacting state channeling obligations.
EMERGING AERONAUTICS AND AIRSPACE COMMITTEE
Chair: Kenji Sugahara, Director, Oregon Department of Aviation
The Emerging Aeronautics and Airspace Committee provides advice and recommendations to the NASAO Board, staff, and Legislative Affairs Committee on policies and initiatives pertaining to emerging aeronautics technology, including but not limited to UAS, AAM, and the nation’s NextGen air transportation system.
LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (State Members only)
Chair: Colette W. Edmisten, A.A.E., Aviation Program Manager, Georgia Department of Transportation
The Legislative Affairs Committee monitors aviation and aerospace policy and regulatory issues and trends for the purpose of providing advice and counsel to the NASAO Executive Committee, Board, and staff on any such issues.
NASAO/AASHTO STANDING COMMITTEE ON AVIATION (State Members only)
Vice Chair: Tony McCloskey, P.E., Director, Bureau of Aviation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
The NASAO/AASHTO Standing Committee on Aviation reviews aviation policy and makes recommendations to both AASHTO's and NASAO’s Board of Directors. The committee also identifies and reports on federal regulatory mandates of national concern and operates as a forum to exchange information regarding aviation issues.
| | You can find more information about the committees on the NASAO website above | | |
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PRESS RELEASE | Mesotech Commissions Airport Weather Advisor® AWOS-IIIPT at Auburn Municipal Airport in Washington
Mesotech International, Inc. has installed and commissioned an Airport Weather Advisor® AWOS-IIIPT Automated Weather Observing System at Auburn Municipal Airport - Dick Scobee Field (S50), a busy general aviation regional-reliever airport serving Washington’s Puget Sound region.
The new FAA-commissioned AWOS-IIIPT provides pilots, airport personnel, and the aviation community with continuous, real-time weather observations, including wind, temperature, visibility, cloud conditions, precipitation, and thunderstorm reporting. At an airport with significant daily aircraft activity, flight training, business aviation, medevac, law enforcement, charter, helicopter, and recreational operations, reliable local weather information is a critical component of safe and efficient flight operations...
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BLOG POST | Airports as Economic Engines: Managing a High-Value Public Asset
Silent Falcon’s February publication with State Aviation Journal brought meaningful attention. Their leadership team felt responsible sharing the following information with NASAO members.
Airports generate hundreds of billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic activity annually in the United States, supporting millions of jobs and serving as critical gateways for commerce, tourism, emergency response, and national security. For states and local communities, an airport is often the single largest economic asset they own.
Each airport plays a unique role based on its location, airspace, and surrounding economy. When managed well, an airport attracts investment, supports jobs, and generates long-term revenue. When managed poorly, it becomes a financial drag on already constrained municipal and state budgets.
The difference between those outcomes comes down to how safely, efficiently, and continuously the airport is managed—and how effectively leadership uses data to improve performance over time...
| Industry News & Announcements | | |
Join the 20th Electric Aircraft Symposium in Oshkosh in July
The 20th Annual Electric Aircraft Symposium (EAS) — hosted by the Vertical Flight Society Federal City Chapter — is being held on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus on July 18 and 19, the two days preceding the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh airshow.
The event will feature 12 in-depth sessions with 45 speakers encompassing a broad range of topics covering various electric categories — light sport, training, general and regional aircraft, as well as helicopters and vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — using battery-, hybrid- and hydrogen-electric propulsion approaches, plus sessions on infrastructure, regulations and more.
Registration and other details are available on the event website www.eas2026.org.
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FAA Accepting Aviation Workforce Development Grants Through June 22nd
The FAA is currently accepting applications for the Round 4 – 2025 Aviation Workforce Development Grants for Aircraft Pilots and Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers. Please refer to the current Notice of Funding Opportunity for instructions on how to complete the application package. The FAA intends to only accept electronic applications. Potential applicants are encouraged to create accounts on grants.gov and can review samples of forms on that website.
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50 for 50: Air and Space Artifacts from Every State and Territory
Leading up to the United States 250th anniversary, the National Air & Space Museum will be spotlighting one artifact from each U.S. state and territory. “Each state has their own connection to an artifact from our collection,” wrote NASM. “Perhaps it was built there, or the mission was operated from a center there, or a famous pilot who flew it hailed from that state.”
A new state is added every day - check out the interactive map to see if yours has been featured yet!
| | Kansas: Amelia Earhart’s Lockheed Vega | Image Courtesy of the National Air & Space Museum | | |
Latest from USDOT/FAA
Updated List of AIP Buy American Waivers Issued on 06/09/2026
The update lists equipment that is frequently used on Airport Improvement Program-funded projects that has been issued a Nationwide Waiver. Sponsors do not need to request waivers for equipment on this Buy American Conformance List. View the updated list here and view project specific waivers here.
Recently Added AIP Program Guidance Letter (PGL) (06/09/2026)
The FAA recently added the following PGL, “PGL 26-04, Incentive Payments for Early Completion of Certain Projects.” See also the Optional Checklist for Incentive Payment for Early Completion. View the PGL here.
FAA’s Latest Resources for Airport Projects (06/08/2026)
Advisory Circulars
Airport Improvement Program
Airports Engineering
Buy American Program
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Part 139 Airport Certification and SMS
Passenger Facility Charge Program
NOTICES
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, Rebuilding, and Alteration
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public to make comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew information collection. The Information to be collected is necessary to insure the safety of the flying public. Documentation of maintenance repair actions record who, what, when, where and how of the task performed. All maintenance actions as well as documentation are required by Title 14 CFR part 43. This...
FR Document 2026-11138
Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval renew an information collection. The collection involves information applicants must provide on an application for an FAA medical certificate. The information to be collected will be used to evaluate an applicant's medical fitness. The information to be collected will be used to and/or is necessary because individuals are...
FR Document 2026-11205
FINAL RULES
Rescinding Portions of Department of Transportation's Title VI Regulations To Conform More Closely With the Statutory Text and To Implement Executive Order 14281
SUMMARY: By this rule, the U.S. Department of Transportation amends its regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VI”) to eliminate disparate-impact liability. These amendments align the Department's regulations with Title VI's original public meaning, avoid constitutional concerns, reduce compliance costs, and serve the public interest. In addition, these revisions implement changes directed in Executive Order 14281. These revisions also align with changes made by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to its Title VI Regulations at 28 CFR part 42, effective December 10, 2025.
FR Document 2026-11790
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Get Your Conference on our Calendar!
Let NASAO know about your State Aviation Conference!
Submit events for NASAO's calendar here.
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Maryland Regional Aviation Conference
June 10-11, 2026
Ocean City, MD
LEARN MORE
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2026 NASAO Annual Convention & Trade Show
September 13-16, 2026
Grand Forks, ND
LEARN MORE
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46th Annual Pennsylvania Aviation Conference
October 7-9, 2026
Reading, PA
LEARN MORE
| | Are you hiring? State Members, Airport Partners, and Business Partners can share job postings free of charge in the NASAO Brief. Please send the job title, location, closing date, and a link to the job posting to info@nasao.org. | | |
Advanced Air Mobility Specialist *NEW*
UDOT Division of Aeronautics
Salt Lake City, UT
LEARN MORE
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Pilot *CLOSING SOON*
NC Division of Aviation
Wake County, NC
LEARN MORE
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Stay up to date with the latest state aviation news by subscribing to the NASAO Brief! Released at 2:00PM ET every Friday, the Brief includes news from NASAO members, the latest from Capitol Hill, and more!
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Share Your News With NASAO. If you have a message or a news item that you would like to share with our members, please email info@nasao.org. All items wished to be included in the NASAO Brief should be emailed by COB on Wednesdays. Due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit all materials submitted. | | National Association of State Aviation Officials | www.nasao.org |
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