Left to right: Nicholas Sabo, Keith Meurlin, Carley Walker, and Bud Oakey |
Upcoming Aerospace Holidays:
August 19: National Aviation Day
Post a picture of your favorite aviation or aerospace memory with the hashtag #VABANationalAviationDay to connect!
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Virginia Aviation Awards Recognizes Key Leaders in the Industry
~Honoring those who understood the challenges in aviation and sought to further the industry~
Chantilly, VA – The Virginia Aviation Awards were presented at the Virginia Aviation Conference on Wednesday, August 7. Nominations were sought from across the Commonwealth by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV), with awards presented by Greg Campbell, Director of DOAV, in four categories: Director’s Award, Airport Manager of the Year, Person of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year’s Director’s Award was presented to Keith Meurlin. Keith is widely known for his work with Dulles Airport and the Washington Airports Task Force, but his impact on Virginia aviation goes far beyond these roles. His willingness to share his extensive knowledge and dedicate his time has made him an invaluable mentor, especially to those managing smaller airports throughout the Commonwealth. Keith has consistently advocated for the success of all Virginia airports, believing that their collective strength is essential for Dulles’ success. His quiet yet powerful leadership made him a deserving recipient of this year’s Director’s Award.
The Virginia Airport Manager of the Year was awarded to Nicholas Sabo, Executive Director at Winchester Regional Airport. Among 65 nominees, Nick stood out for his visionary leadership. This past year, he broke ground on the "Terminal of the Future," a project reflecting his commitment to Advanced Air Mobility. Nick has also worked tirelessly to engage the broader Northern Virginia community, helping them discover what the aviation community already knows: airports are for everyone. Winchester Regional Airport’s continued growth is a testament to Nick’s leadership.
Carley Walker was recognized as Person of the Year for her dedication to aerospace education. Carley has been instrumental in arranging 275 life-changing flights for students and established the Winchester Regional Aviation Foundation to promote aviation education in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. She also spearheaded a consortium of career and technical educators from five counties to launch the annual Aerospace Day career fair at Winchester Regional Airport. Carley serves on the Winchester Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors and is a senior member of the Civil Air Patrol.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bud Oakey, President of the VABA. Bud has played a critical role in organizing Aerospace Day and the industry’s annual Legislative Reception, elevating the profile of the aviation and aerospace sectors. His efforts to reestablish the Virginia General Assembly Aviation and Aerospace Caucus (V-GAAC) have been crucial in educating lawmakers on industry issues. Bud’s work in advocating for legislation to develop the next generation of aerospace leaders, and his efforts to reduce taxes on aviation parts and supplies further solidify his legacy.
Congratulations to all award recipients! We're incredibly proud of and thankful for the work you do. The Commonwealth of Virginia is lucky to have you.
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Transforming Norfolk and the Hampton Roads Region
When Mark Perryman joined the Norfolk Airport Authority, he committed to growing the Norfolk International Airport as well as the Hampton Roads Region.
As a proven transformational leader and consensus builder, Perryman has partnered with the Hampton Roads Alliance, Hampton Roads Workforce Council, chambers of commerce, convention centers, visitor bureaus, and the seventeen cities and counties of Hampton Roads to revitalize the Norfolk Airport Authority. His mission is to enhance the region's appeal and improve accessibility to its growing array of air travel destinations.
Collectively, the Norfolk Airport Authority aims to serve as the unifying element of the Hampton Roads community by investing in the airport. “Jet fuel flows through my veins naturally,” Perryman said. Currently, the Norfolk Regional Airport is undergoing a nearly $1 billion development program focused on improving and streamlining the holistic flight experience for customers. Upgraded facilities will enhance the journey, featuring state-of-the-art systems for everything from baggage handling to Wi-Fi.
Norfolk's construction program, which began with an expansion on June 10, 2024, includes the addition of three new gates, expanded restrooms, and additional boarding area space in Concourse A. The program will also modernize the Federal Inspection Service facility where U.S. Customs and Border Protection will process arriving international flights. Over the next few years, the airport will combine its two security checkpoints into one streamlined area to improve passenger flow between concourses. Additional projects include the construction of an onside consolidated rental car facility, a state-of-the-art departures terminal, and an onsite hotel. Ongoing runway improvements and will conclude later this year.
The Norfolk Airport Authority encourages passengers to sign up for the Parking Perks program, which is free to join and offers year-round reserved parking options. By making reservations in advance, customers can secure their parking spot with ease. A quick QR scan at the gate guarantees entry, even if lots are sold out for others. The program also offers discounts on long-term garage parking and the chance to earn rewards, including a $10 voucher. All paid reservations are refundable in the event of airline cancellations. Additionally, a new business valet service is on the horizon.
These enhancements are essential to support the airport’s rapid passenger growth. Over the past two years, Norfolk has seen double-digit increases, with 4.1 million and 4.5 million passengers respectively. This year is on track to be another record-breaker, with an anticipated 5 million passengers passing through the airport.
The rapid growth in Norfolk's airline passengers can be explained by a few key factors. First, the airport is aligning with global trends of increased flight volume, reflecting the broader rise in air travel demand. Secondly, the unique and dynamic passenger base plays a significant role, with individuals supporting or serving in the U.S. military accounting for 26% of Norfolk's airport users in 2023. Lastly, the overall expansion of global and regional air carriers, including the introduction of additional low-cost carrier routes, has further fueled this growth. Notably, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake contributed 31% of Norfolk's leisure passenger traffic last year, with 13% of visitors headed to Norfolk and 11% traveling to North Carolina."
Like global air travel demand, the sky is the limit for the industry. However, this growth is tempered by constraints in aircraft deliveries and a shortage of skilled labor. As national demand for pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers rises, the nearby Aviation Institute of Maintenance continues to boast a 100% job placement rate for new graduates. The Norfolk Airport Authority's strategic growth plan centers on one key element: people. Committed to enhancing the experience of staff, passengers, and customers, the Authority prioritizes diversity through initiatives like the Sunflower Lanyard program, which supports individuals with hidden disabilities.
The Authority is equally focused on maintaining safe and comfortable facilities, ensuring a welcoming environment for all. Volunteer ambassadors are the fabric of the community, participating in twenty-four events this year alone. They are actively building a talent pipeline by educating the community, establishing a College Internship Program, and engaging in leadership exchanges.
The Norfolk Airport Authority's monumental developments have been achieved through collaboration. Mark Perryman and his team work closely with Bud Oakey and the VABA to secure strong legislative representation and maintain a presence in the business aviation community.
During the recent legislative session, Perryman and his team were actively involved in discussions on real estate disclosure legislation, witnessing the unity of business, commercial, and general aviation sectors to influence the outcome. They also participated in Legislative Day, educating Senate and House of Delegates decision-makers.
As the year draws to a close, Perryman and the Norfolk Airport Authority remain committed to advancing their modernization efforts at Norfolk International Airport amid expanding air travel. They look forward to partnering with the VABA during the 2025 legislative session to ensure effective representation and advocacy on legislative decisions that impact the industry.
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DOAV Debuts Redesigned Website
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The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) has completed a redesign of its agency website and recently unveiled its new look at the Virginia Airport Operators Council spring workshop in Staunton. The new website was constructed by John Saul, DOAV’s information technology manager, using WordPress, a free content management system.
The redesigned site features more dynamic features than were available on the previous website. These dynamic features should enhance the visitor experience and make the website easier to use. In addition to a number of new features, by bringing the development and management of the website completely in-house, the Agency will be saving money each year.
If you are interested in seeing and using the new agency website, go to doav.virginia.gov
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Getting to Know Delegate Delaney
Chair of 2024 Virginia General Assembly Aviation and Aerospace Caucus
Delegate Delaney first became fascinated with aviation in her youth. In 1993, she was lucky enough to receive an opportunity to fly with an instructor. During that same weekend, a squadron of United States Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol Cadets was completing an orientation training flight. Watching those cadets train was pivotal; soon after Delaney joined the Civil Air Patrol. Before she could even drive, she was learning to fly. She continued to take lessons and took her first solo flight in 1995. Delegate Delaney explains, “the confidence I gained in learning to fly - the experience was humbling and inspiring at the same time.” Learning to fly before and concurrent with driving was critical to her personal development as she prepared to leave for college. While she was unable to complete her pilot’s license before she left for school, she never gave up on the dream.
After graduating college, establishing herself, and starting a family, the mindset ‘set a goal and put your mind to it’ resurfaced. Alongside her passion for policy and desire to serve, Delaney’s audacity to believe she could win an election and represent her district grew —an audacity she credits to her experience of learning to fly. She was elected to the House of Delegates in 2017.
As her children have grown older, she reflected on her unfulfilled goals and saw an opportunity to reinvest in her passions. Flying and getting her pilot’s license quickly rose to the top of the list. She has resumed lessons at Leesburg Airport, where she had the chance to fly across much of Northern and Central Virginia. Now, she is in the final stretch of realizing her childhood dream of earning her pilot's license.
It is an incredibly complicated task to balance work, family, children, weather, and legislative responsibilities. But despite the complexities and challenges, Delegate Delaney is able to do them all, and looks forward to returning to the air.
She is also thrilled to be leading the Virginia General Assembly Aviation & Aerospace (VGAAC) Caucus along with Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears, Senator Bill DeSteph (R-8, Virginia Beach), Delegate Paul Milde (R-64, Stafford), and Senator Russet Perry (D-31, Leesburg). The VGAAC met weekly during the 2024 General Assembly Session, receiving briefings from a number of speakers and tracking numerous bills impacting the aerospace industry.
This year’s real estate disclosure bill sparked some debate regarding the disclosure of noise ordinances near airports, highlighting the need for further discussion with stakeholders. Delaney, with a particular interest as both a soon-to-be pilot and a current lawmaker, is especially invested in this issue, given that Dulles Airport is in her backyard. By better articulating goals, concerns, and objectives of each party, a consensus can be reached, creating a solution that avoids unintended consequences.
As co-chair of VGAAC and current Chair of House Transportation, Delegate Delaney is eager to bring together aviation, aerospace, and space to the scope of the Transportation Committee. While the Transportation Committee has traditionally focused on roads, highways, trains, tunnels, and bridges, Delaney recognizes the unique value of integrating aerospace infrastructure into industry conversations. Virginia's leadership in aviation and aerospace has positioned the Commonwealth at the forefront of industry innovation and research. With Delegate Delaney's dual role on the Transportation Committee and the VGAAC, she is well-positioned to facilitate better communication and advocacy across the broader transportation community. By hearing directly from industry leaders, she can spotlight Virginia’s aviation and aerospace assets, while also promoting and enhancing economic development opportunities across all levels of aerospace.
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Sustainable Aviation Fuel Information Act Introduced
On August 9, U.S. Congressmen Mike Flood (R-NE) and Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) introduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Information Act. This bipartisan bill directs the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to include SAF in its regular fuel reports, aiding industry stakeholders in tracking production and identifying investment opportunities.
Congressman Flood highlighted Nebraska's leadership in biofuels, stating that the bill is a "commonsense" move to support the growing bioeconomy. Congressman Carter emphasized the importance of SAF in reducing aviation-related greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the nation’s cleaner transportation goals.
The bill has gained support from a diverse coalition, including the Renewable Fuels Association, National Corn Growers Association, and Growth Energy, who underscore the importance of transparency and data for scaling SAF production.
With backing from multiple industry leaders and bipartisan co-sponsors, the SAF Information Act represents a significant step towards advancing sustainable aviation in the United States.
Read the full article here.
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Virginia Aviation Board Awards Nearly $9.6m to VA Airports.
The Virginia Aviation Board recently met and awarded nearly $9.6 million for 28 projects at 19 airports across the Commonwealth. The list of airports and the projects funded are attached.
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VSGC:
News You Can Use
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium (VSGC) partners with NASA, industry, and institutions to provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education, promote STEM research, and prepare a diverse STEM workforce. We provide FREE scholarships, fellowships, STEM courses and programs, internships with NASA and industry, NASA summer academies, educator professional development, and STEM research.
The Virginia Space Grant Consortium has worked with the Virginia Aviation Business Association for many years, and we look forward to growing our partnership and providing more information and program updates.
We’re excited to share our Aviation Pathways Portal! The VSGC, working with the Virginia Aviation Business Association and Virginia’s aviation sector, has long envisioned a single information portal to promote these high-paying jobs and pathways right here in Virginia. The Commonwealth is home to many aviation career opportunities and resources, but it can be a challenge to find relevant and current information. Under a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Workforce Development grant, VSGC established the portal focusing on pilot and aviation maintenance careers. We hope to expand to include other aviation careers. To increase awareness of Virginia’s aviation programs, resources, and opportunities for parents, students, counselors, and the public, the portal includes:
- career guidance
- videos on professional pilot and aviation maintenance careers
- academic and training pathway infographics
- academic and training opportunities, including opportunities for high school students
- financial aid
- state, national, and international aviation groups
We will keep the portal updated with the most current and relevant information. Please share any resources you would like to see added at vsgc@odu.edu.And please help us share this exciting new Virginia aviation resource!
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