Virginia, like the rest of the world, is at a pivotal point in global politics. We are greatly impacted by how we position ourselves to stay competitive and adapt to constant and never-ending change. As we navigate Virginia’s dynamic landscape of aviation, aerospace, and advanced air mobility (AAM), it is crucial to keep our focus sharp and our efforts aligned. With your help, the Virginia Aviation Business Association (VABA) is committed to tackling the challenges ahead with strategic initiatives that ensure Virginia remains a national leader in these sectors. 

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) represents a cornerstone of our environmental and economic strategy. All industry elements, working together is essential in fostering collaboration and ultimately solutions that are Virginia based. By developing and producing SAF, we can achieve industry goals for reducing emissions, while contributing to global environmental goals. This initiative also stimulates economic growth by attracting new businesses and research opportunities to Virginia. 

As in most industries, the aviation industry faces a critical workforce gap, exacerbated by impending retirements, fewer births than deaths, population relocations and a need for young people with skills in emerging technologies not properly being developed within our school systems. The VABA is working with stakeholders to address this challenge head-on by advocating for greater emphasis on aerospace education in K-12 schools and more targeted programs within our community college system. Engaging students early sparks interest in aviation and aerospace fields, ensuring a robust future workforce.  

There are many growth areas in aviation and aerospace sectors. AAM represents a quickly emerging area of industry with immense potential. The VABA is dedicated to supporting efforts by the Virginia Department of Aviation and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation to ensure agile and inclusive public policy. This includes continued growth in efforts for attracting research, development, testing, and manufacturing in the AAM sector. 

As we look ahead, the VABA remains committed to advancing our industry’s growth and ensuring that Virginia continues to be a national leader in aviation, aerospace, and AAM. Together, we can keep the ball centered and ensure that Virginia’s aviation and aerospace industries remain key drivers of economic growth and innovation. 

Bud Oakey

President of the VABA

The Virginia Airport Operators Council (VAOC) is a 501c(6) organization that advocates for the interests of the 65 public-use airports in Virginia. VAOC membership includes airport managers, consultants, and businesses. Its Board of Directors is an all-volunteer team. Despite the low overhead, the VAOC punches above its weight class when it comes to delivering results for the Commonwealth.

The VAOC is nothing if not active. We work closely with the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) and Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) on system planning, capital needs, and aviation forecasts. VAOC events are relevant to the industry by serving as a clearinghouse of fresh ideas, regulatory updates, and best practices. The premiere VAOC event is the annual state conference, which proudly celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and returns again to Roanoke this August 13-15. Our efforts are amplified through strategic partnerships with peer organizations such as the Virginia Aviation Business Association (VABA) and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). Legislative engagement is a raison d'etre, as evidenced by a recent member survey that yielded "Legislative Affairs" as the top priority of the VAOC. Recent wins in the General Assembly related to real estate disclosures, derelict aircraft, and improvements to the Commonwealth Aviation Fund bear witness to this vision. Collectively, the work of VAOC promotes a vibrant airport system that fosters economic development, bolsters the state economy, grows aerospace workforce, and facilitates critical aviation services that enhance the lives of Virginians - even those who never leave the ground. 

Despite inherent competition that is a byproduct of an interconnected airport system, you would never know it by observing a regular meeting or attending an event. The spirit of VAOC is a shared passion among its members - especially airport managers - for supporting the broad spectrum of aeronautical missions that occur at Virginia airports on a daily basis. Although I manage the Winchester Regional Airport, I am happy to admit this editorial was written while wearing airplane socks from my good friends at Richmond Executive.

The bottom line is the same message we report to the General Assembly each year: the VAOC exists to be a resource. I invite you to learn more about our organization and ways you can support the important work we do to benefit aviation in Virginia.

Learn more about the VOAC.

Written by Nick Sabo, A.A.E.

VAOC President

Executive Director, Winchester Regional Airport Authority

Meet Our New Board Members

Ron Gatewood is a hero. He doesn’t think of himself as one, but he definitely is one of the those Americans who sacrificed a lot to keep us safe when most of us were whooping it up during the 60’s through 90’s and we thought nothing about what these men and women were doing for us, (unless it affected our families) especially during Vietnam, with his 960 combat missions, when he and his crew members saved many lives during their rescues. If I could write more on his military prowess (and after), I would. You would see why he is a true American hero. 

Coming from a blue-collar family outside Indianapolis, Indiana, he finished Purdue University and joined USMC in 1964. He served as a Naval aviator, retiring as a Colonel in 1991. Following his final assignment at the Pentagon, Ron settled in Warrenton, Virginia, with his wife, Linda and four children, and has remained a resident of Fauquier County for the last 40+ years. 

After his retirement from the military, Ron established several aviation-related businesses, including SkyWorld Aviation, Tracey Corporation and Midland Development Corporation and managed the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (W66). He was instrumental in transforming the small country airport into a robust aviation hub. 

Through his entrepreneurial spirit, keen business sense, and vision, Ron used SkyWorld Aviation to provide services in aviation maintenance and management. 

Through Tracey Corporation, Ron was able to manage the day-to-day operations, airport infrastructure, and fixed-based operations (such as selling fuel and maintaining the County-owned hangars at W66). 

Early on, Ron also realized the need for a flight school at W66, helping to prepare local student pilots seeking to earn their Private Pilot, Instrument and Multi-Engine certifications. In 1999, Ron founded Midland Development Corporation, which greatly expanded W66’s hangar facilities by building three sets of T hangars. The availability of these hangars attracted additional aircraft owners. He was also instrumental in securing the funding to upgrade Warrenton-Fauquier Airport, making it an IFR-rated airfield with a 5,000-foot runway, and leading to its redesignation from W66 to KHWY. 

Ron has demonstrated an unmatched spirit of service to the local aviation community in Fauquier County. He has volunteered his time and pilot skills through AirServ International, a Virginia-based global disaster relief organization. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Aviation Business Association and is a long-time member of the Board of Directors of EarthWalk Communications, Inc., in Manassas. He has been the standard bearer for the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society for the Warrenton Chapter. 

Ron was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2018. He is a well-deserved inductee and works diligently as a member of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society Board of Directors. 

For more information about the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society visit their site.