March Note from the VABA

As we conclude the 2025 legislative session, I want to take a moment to highlight the Virginia Aviation Business Association’s (VABA) key accomplishments and initiatives this year and share our goals for the remainder of the year.

2025 Legislative Session Accomplishments:

During the 2025 session, the VABA successfully advanced several critical initiatives that will continue to strengthen Virginia’s aviation and aerospace industries:

• Extension of Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Aircraft Components – Delegate Kerrie Delaney and Senator Bill DeSteph spearheaded the effort, with support from Delegates Milde and Runion, Senators Perry and Craig, and other key legislators. Their leadership helped the VABA secure HB 1729 and SB 942, providing a five-year extension of the sales and use tax exemption for aircraft components, including parts, engines, and avionics. This extension provides certainty for our industry, ensuring continued investment in Virginia’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities.
• Coordinated Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) Training Programs – The VABA strongly supported the creation of a unified AMT training program within the Virginia Community College System. This initiative, championed by key legislators, including Delegate Danny Marshall, ensures consistent training standards and expands access to aviation careers across the Commonwealth. The program was fully funded in the state budget, marking a significant step forward for workforce development in the aviation sector.
• Pathways Flight Academies – While the VABA did not secure funding for the expansion of the Pathways Flight Academy during this session, the association remains committed to pushing for this initiative in the future. The program would help reduce the cost of pilot training and provide a clear pathway to an Air Transport Pilot certificate, addressing a critical need for trained pilots.
• Aviation Noise Disclosure Legislation – The VABA successfully supported the passage of HB 1706, requiring property sellers to disclose proximity to public-use airports and associated aircraft noise. This legislation ensures greater transparency for homebuyers and reduces potential conflicts related to aviation noise.

Looking Ahead:

In the coming weeks, your VABA board will review a work plan for the remainder of 2025 to prepare for the 2026 legislative session. This plan will focus on advancing industry growth and solidifying Virginia's position as a national leader in aviation and aerospace. Key initiatives will include:



• Focus on Aerospace Education – The VABA will continue advocating for a greater emphasis on aerospace education in K-12 schools across Virginia. Engaging students will help spark interest in aviation and aerospace fields, which are critical to our state’s future workforce.
• Strengthening the Virginia Community College System Partnership – The VABA will continue to expand and grow our partnership with the Virginia Community College System to enhance aerospace programs across the Commonwealth. This collaboration will ensure Virginia’s workforce is well-prepared to meet the growing demands of the aerospace sector.
• Developing a Statewide Flight School Council – The VABA will work with Virginia’s flight schools to establish a statewide Flight School Council. This initiative will improve communication and coordination, positioning Virginia as a leader in pilot training and enhancing our state’s role in developing a highly skilled aviation workforce.
• Creation of the Virginia Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Coalition – The VABA, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, is working to establish the Virginia SAF Coalition. This coalition will serve as a platform for stakeholders to collaborate on the development and production of sustainable aviation fuels in Virginia, driving economic growth while supporting environmental goals.
• Collaboration with the Joint Committee on Tax Preferences – The VABA will continue its efforts with the Committee to help policymakers understand the positive economic impact of aviation and aerospace on Virginia. We will focus on identifying opportunities for growth, especially in the rapidly evolving field of Advanced Air Mobility, and ensuring the sustainability of aviation support services in the state.
• Advanced Air Mobility in Virginia - The VABA will focus on identifying opportunities to support the advancement and growth of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in Virginia, a rapidly emerging sector of the industry. Efforts will be directed toward supporting initiatives by the Virginia Department of Aviation and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation to ensure state policies remain agile and inclusive. This will help attract research, development, and testing while ultimately fostering manufacturing and long-term maintenance for the industry.
• Student engagement in aviation and aerospace - Under the leadership of the VABA Student Board Member, Tess Petersen, the VABA is establishing a Student Advisory Council to engage and empower students across the Commonwealth in aviation and aerospace. This Council will provide a platform for students to share their insights, learn and engage with Virginia’s aerospace industry. Through this initiative, the VABA aims to foster leadership development, strengthen community outreach, and cultivate the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals.

We are excited about the opportunities in the year ahead and look forward to working with all of you to ensure Virginia’s aviation and aerospace industries remain a key driver of economic growth and innovation.

Sincerely,

Jim Hopkins

Chairman, Virginia Aviation Business Association

The VABA Scholarship Application is Open

The annual Charles J. Colgan Scholarship, in the amount of $2,000, is awarded to a well deserving Virginia resident High School, Technical School Senior or College/University Undergraduate who is pursuing an aviation related career at an accredited institution located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The scholarship will be paid directly to the institution in the name of the awardee.

The application period is now open, and the deadline for 2025 submissions is Friday, May 1, 2025.

To be eligible, applicants must:

✅ Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in their last full year of study.

✅ Submit a typed, double-spaced essay (250-500 words) on one of the following topics:

• Why I Wish to Pursue a Career in Aviation
• Careers in aviation include, but are not limited to, pilots, aviation maintenance, aviation management, air traffic control, aerospace engineering, and aviation operations
• Why Aviation is Important to the Commonwealth of Virginia

✅ Provide two letters of recommendation, with at least one preferably from a professional in the aviation industry.

• If mailing, letters must be placed in sealed envelopes with the recommender’s signature across the back seal and included in the applicant’s submission package.
• If emailing, letters must be sent separately by the recommender to info@thevaba.org.

✅ Submit proof of acceptance into an aviation-related post-secondary education program or proof of good standing in an existing program located in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

✅ (Optional) Submit a typed, double-spaced statement (no more than 250 words) if you would like to provide additional information for the scholarship committee’s consideration.

​Scholarship Requirements:

To complete your application, follow these steps:

1️⃣ Complete the VABA Scholarship application form.

2️⃣ Obtain required signatures. Have your guidance counselor or another school official sign all required certifications.

3️⃣ Collect official documents. Email or mail an official copy of your current high school transcript and proof of acceptance or good standing in an accredited post-secondary institution.

How to Apply

Applicants may submit their application and materials by email or mail. Please follow one of the two submission methods below:

Option 1: Email Submission

All materials must be submitted electronically to:

📧 info@thevaba.org with the subject line: Colgan Scholarship 2025

• Attach all required documents, including your transcript, essay, and proof of acceptance.
• Your recommenders must send their letters separately from their own email addresses.

Option 2: Mail Submission

All application materials must be sent together in one envelope to:

VABA Scholarship (Attn: K. Hellebush)

c/o Virginia Aviation Business Association

1011 E. Main Street

Suite 400

Richmond, VA 23219

• Include your completed application form, transcript, essay, proof of acceptance, and recommendation letters.
• Recommendation letters must be in sealed envelopes with the recommender’s signature across the back seal.

Evaluation Criteria:

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic performance: 30%
• Essay quality: 30%
• Letters of recommendation: 20%
• Subjective evaluation: 20%

Please email Katie Hellebush with any questions.