State Aviation Journal – Your Best Source of State Aviation News

Gale Associates, Inc. to Lead Rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport Runway
Gale Associates, Inc., through its Airport Engineering & Planning Group, is providing engineering design and construction administration services for the rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport’s primary airfield infrastructure. Construction began on July 13, 2026, with the airport closed to fixed-wing aircraft for approximately three months while improvements are completed. The project includes reconstruction of Runway […]
Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Livery Aircraft Featuring “Aloha All Around the World”
Hawaiian Airlines recently unveiled a special aircraft livery celebrating its membership in the oneworld® alliance with a design that honors ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian language, with the phrase “Aloha a puni ka honua,” or “Aloha all around the world.” Hawaiian’s widebody Airbus A330 carrying the oneworld mark will continue to feature the airline’s iconic Pualani […]
CubCrafters Introduces the New Carbon Cub ULT
CubCrafters has announced the new Carbon Cub ULT, an innovative turboprop-powered evolution of the company’s popular Carbon Cub UL platform. Designed to combine the simplicity and efficiency of modern sport aviation with the smooth power and reliability of turbine technology, the Carbon Cub ULT represents a major step forward in lightweight backcountry aircraft design. The […]
GeoCue Welcomes Steel City Drones as New Distributor for TrueView and LP360 Solutions
GeoCue has announced Steel City Drones as a new distributor of GeoCue TrueView LiDAR systems and LP360 software. Founded in 2011, Steel City Drones has spent the last 15 years serving customers across the drone industry, including public safety, construction, surveying, energy and utilities, agriculture and inspection markets. The company supports customers throughout the continental […]

State News

Gale Associates, Inc. to Lead Rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport Runway

Gale Associates, Inc., through its Airport Engineering & Planning Group, is providing engineering design and construction administration services for the rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport’s primary airfield infrastructure. Construction began on July 13, 2026, with the airport closed to fixed-wing aircraft for approximately three months while improvements are completed. The project includes reconstruction of Runway 14-32, Taxiway A, and the connecting stub taxiways, along with Taxiways B, C, D edge lighting to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pavement design standards. Additional improvements include upgrades to the airport’s drainage system, installation of new airfield electrical infrastructure, guidance signs, runway and taxiway lighting, navigational aids, a new electrical vault, pavement markings, and site restoration. Overhead View of the Airport Administration Building and the East and Main Aprons, Mansfield MA. Although fixed-wing operations will be temporarily suspended during construction, Boston MedFlight will continue operating from the airport, ensuring uninterrupted emergency medical transport services for communities throughout Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The rehabilitation marks the first reconstruction of the airport’s primary runway since 1993. In a unique connection to the airport’s history, Gale Airport Development Professional Dave Dinneen served as Mansfield Municipal Airport Manager during the previous reconstruction project and is now contributing to the airport’s latest modernization effort. Located approximately two miles southeast of downtown Mansfield, Mansfield Municipal Airport serves the region’s general aviation community and is home to a flight school, aircraft maintenance facilities, hangar developments, Boston MedFlight, and airport management operations. “This project represents an important investment in the long-term safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of Mansfield Municipal Airport,” said Matthew Caron, AICP, Director of Aviation. “We are proud to support the Town of Mansfield and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division, and the Federal Aviation Administration in delivering infrastructure improvements that will benefit airport users and the surrounding communities for years to come.” The project is being completed under Gale Associates’ on-call engineering services agreement with the Town of Mansfield. The project will be funded through the Federal Aviation Administration, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division, and the Town of Mansfield.
Marcy Meyer Retires from Nebraska Aeronautics After Impressive 35 Year Career

By Kim Stevens When Marcy Meyer arrived in Kearney, NE three decades ago, she knew nothing about aviation, let alone navaids. “I was looking for a job in a new community with good benefits and pay,” recalls Marcy. Last week, after a successful and productive thirty-five-year career in aviation, Marcy retired from the Nebraska Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics, as Manager of the Navigational Aids Division. Marcy Meyer Looking back, Marcy said she never expected to experience the career she had. “Absolutely not,” exclaimed Marcy. “Initially I anticipated it would be just a job and the need to learn the ‘government’ system. I didn’t know any airport identifiers in Nebraska other than LNK/OMA.” Highlights of her career included the installation of the first eight AWOS sites in the Cornhusker State and the additional AWOS sites that have followed. Also noteworthy, was dealing with a tornado that struck the Wayne, NE airport and destroyed both the AWOS and NDB in 2013. Perhaps the biggest challenge for Marcy has been the rapidly advancing technology: i.e. drone deliveries, Advanced Air Mobility & continual computerization changes. “The limited applicant pool in the labor force for our specialized needs has also been a challenge.” Marcy shared that working with her counterparts in other states has been extremely beneficial. “They have been an amazing resource – everything from sharing information, helping to locate a hard-to-find part, sharing ‘frustrations’ and sharing how we meet our challenges.” When asked if Nebraska has a good future in regard to aviation, Marcy responded, “Nebraska definitely does. The Division will continue to support improvements at our public use airports, even the very small ones, and not just their infrastructure but in the areas of approaches, navaids, the need for community outreach.” Perhaps most of all, Marcy said she will miss the fine folks in aviation across the state. “We are our own family in many ways; those relationships have made this job very fulfilling. I can honestly say, I have developed a positive relationship with every airport in Nebraska, well, except for one… and that is only one person at that airport, the others are fine folks.”

National News

BRINC Raises $125M to Place 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

BRINC today announced a $125 million financing round led by Motorola Solutions, with participation from Index Ventures and Dylan Field, Figma’s CEO and founder. The investment brings BRINC’s total capital raised to over a quarter billion dollars and will fuel the company’s mission to deploy 911 response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations across the United States. BRINC Skybeam Spotlight in action. The capital will be used to expand BRINC’s domestic manufacturing capability, bring new products to market, and scale go-to-market operations. By the end of the year, BRINC will move into a new facility three times the size of its current factory, expanding its production capacity to meet surging demand from public safety agencies. “Every second matters in an emergency,” says Blake Resnick, Founder & CEO of BRINC. “Our 911 response drones put eyes on scene before first responders arrive, giving dispatchers and officers the situational awareness they need to act decisively and keep people safe. This investment enables our organization to build more products, expand our manufacturing capacity, and put a drone on the roof of every police and fire station in America.” Guardian’s Industry Leading Camera. The round comes at a moment of significant commercial momentum. BRINC more than tripled revenue in 2025 and quintupled monthly production capacity. This year, the company has signed nearly four times as many 911 response drone contracts as it did over the same period in 2025, with agencies including the Los Angeles Fire Department, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and hundreds of others across the country. BRINC builds drones for every mission. Lemur 2 is the most capable indoor drone. Responder leads the market in time on scene. Guardian is the 911 response drone built to replace helicopters. And because BRINC has deep, exclusive integrations with Motorola Solutions, every product in the fleet is just a button-press away. Agencies looking to learn more can reach out to their local BRINC representative or get in touch at brincdrones.com/contact.
National Aeronautic Association Names Kathryn Hughes as Recipient of the 2026 Stinson Award

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced that Col. (Ret.) Kathryn Hughes, MD, MPH, DAvMed, USAF, has been named the recipient of the NAA Stinson Award. Kathryn Hughes The Stinson Award honors the legacy of sisters Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, pioneering aviators of the early 20th century. Among the first women to earn pilot’s licenses, they founded the Stinson School of Flying and made significant contributions to early aviation, exhibition flying, and military flight training. The NAA Stinson Award recognizes a living U.S. citizen, group, or organization that has made a lasting impact on advancing women in aerospace through mentorship, advocacy, or pioneering efforts that have expanded opportunities for women in the field. “It takes immense tenacity to be a pioneer, and it takes a rare, fearless individuality to forge a path entirely your own,” said Amy Marino Spowart, President and CEO, NAA. “Kathy has never been afraid to step away from the crowd and do what others simply wouldn’t. She reflects the very essence of the Stinson sisters’ daring spirit and excellence. From the flight deck to her clinic, Kathy shines brightly on her own terms, and her true gift is empowering other women to find the confidence to do the exact same.” Dr. Hughes attended the United States Air Force Academy and, during her 26 years in service, logged over 3,000 military flying hours in multiple aircraft, including the T-38, RC-135, A-10, and Royal Air Force Hawk. While still serving as a pilot, she completed medical school and became the first female Pilot-Physician in the U.S. Air Force. She specialized in acceleration protection and life support equipment testing and evaluation. Her combined aviation and medical expertise enables her to advance human factors research, human systems integration, and enhanced pilot safety. After retiring from the military in 2016, Dr. Hughes has worked as a physician specializing in occupational and aviation medicine and is an FAA Senior Aviation Medical Examiner. She is a consultant for Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, the leading manufacturer of ejection and crashworthy seats that have saved over 7,800 lives worldwide. She serves in leadership roles in the Aerospace Medical Association and its Foundation Board. She remains an active general aviation pilot, manages her local airport, and volunteers with numerous organizations, including the Ninety-Nines, mentoring fellow women aviators. “It is a profound honor to have been selected for the prestigious NAA Stinson Award. I have long admired the audacity of Katherine and Marjorie Stinson and what they dared to accomplish,” said Hughes. “Throughout my own career in aviation and aerospace medicine, my goal has been to turn my opportunities into open doors for others. This recognition strengthens my commitment to mentoring and advocating for the next generation of those who strive for careers in aerospace.” Details about the Stinson Award presentation will be announced soon. For more information about the award or to view previous recipients, please visit naa.aero.

International News

Lufthansa’s First Airbus A350-1000 Arrives with Special Livery

In just a few weeks, Lufthansa’s special anniversary fleet will welcome another addition: The very first A350-1000 that Lufthansa Airlines will take delivery of from Airbus was painted at the Toulouse plant in blue, featuring a white XXL crane and the lettering “1926 | 2026” and “100” – using a total of 432 liters of blue paint and 246 liters of white paint. The Airbus A350-1000 is scheduled to be transferred from Toulouse to Munich this fall. Until then, several test flights, further work on the aircraft’s interior, and the final acceptance inspection are still pending. The A350-1000 will bear the registration number D-AIFA and the name “Deutschland.” An official naming ceremony is scheduled to take place at a later date. What makes this first A350-1000 special is that it will be the 700th aircraft that Airbus has delivered to the Lufthansa Group. With a length of 73.80 meters, the Airbus A350-1000 is exactly seven meters longer than its smaller brother, the Airbus A350-900. This long-haul aircraft can accommodate a total of 300 passengers across four travel classes: First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class. Fifteen aircraft of this type have been ordered and will be delivered by 2030. The new A350-1000 is the seventh aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet to feature a special livery commemorating the airline’s 100th anniversary. Already in service on long-haul routes are an Airbus A350-900, an Airbus A380, a Boeing 787-9, and a Boeing 747-8, as well as two short- and medium-haul Airbus A320neo aircraft featuring this special design. The special livery is attracting a great deal of attention and enthusiasm from passengers and plane spotters worldwide.
FL Technics Indonesia Opens Aircraft Painting Facility in Bali and Welcomes First Customer

FL Technics Indonesia, the FAA Part-145 certified MRO provider, has opened a new aircraft painting facility at its Denpasar, Bali facility. The painting booth marks a significant expansion of the company’s full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Southeast Asia. On 30 June 2026, just days after the painting facility launched, FL Technics Indonesia welcomed its first customer, Skyway Airlines, a Philippine air cargo carrier operating Boeing 737-400F freighter aircraft. The project involved repainting the airline’s third aircraft, which was later ferried to Clark International Airport in the Philippines for its inaugural ceremony on 3 July 2026. “The addition of a dedicated painting booth in Bali is part of our commitment to building a truly full-service MRO capability in the region,” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of FL Technics Indonesia. “We are pleased to welcome our valued customers, Skyway Airlines, as the first to utilize this facility. Several more painting projects have been secured over the next couple of months, and we also received significant further demand as more operators across Southeast Asia are looking for this capability.” The new painting facility adds to FL Technics Indonesia’s existing MRO capabilities across its dual-station network. Currently, the company’s two facilities at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta and I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali hold more than 20 approvals from the civil aviation authority, supported by a team of more than 700 aviation experts. Built to the highest industry standards, the Bali painting booth is equipped to handle complex livery projects with precision, efficiency, and full regulatory compliance. The Bali facility’s location is particularly well-suited to serve carriers operating across Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian region, reducing the need for extended ferry flights or overseas maintenance programs. The launch of the painting booth comes at a time of growing demand for MRO services across Southeast Asia. Extended aircraft delivery backlogs have increased the strategic importance of lifecycle extension and fleet maintenance services, including livery repaints to support rebranding, wet-lease transitions, and return-to-service programs. For cargo operators, maintaining aircraft closer to base reduces operational downtime and associated ferry flight costs.

Unmanned Systems

BRINC Raises $125M to Place 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

BRINC today announced a $125 million financing round led by Motorola Solutions, with participation from Index Ventures and Dylan Field, Figma’s CEO and founder. The investment brings BRINC’s total capital raised to over a quarter billion dollars and will fuel the company’s mission to deploy 911 response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations READ MORE
Oregon Department of Aviation Releases New Drone Training and Testing Template for Oregon Public Agencies

The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has released a new training and testing companion to its public agency drone policy template, giving Oregon public bodies a clearer path for training, evaluating, and documenting the people who fly drones for public work. The earlier ODAV template helped agencies answer an important question: What rules should guide READ MORE

Aviation Education

AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016. The new curriculum, which is made possible by a donation from Gregory READ MORE
Aims Aircraft Maintenance Student Receives $10,000 Centennial Airport Foundation Scholarship

Aims Community College Aircraft Maintenance student Kira Davis-Weber was honored with the prestigious $ 10,000 Centennial Airport Foundation Scholarship, showcasing her dedication and potential in aviation maintenance. The Centennial Airport Foundation awards annual scholarships to students pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, the quality of their application and READ MORE

Lufthansa’s First Airbus A350-1000 Arrives with Special Livery

July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 Kim Stevens

In just a few weeks, Lufthansa’s special anniversary fleet will welcome another addition: The very first A350-1000 that Lufthansa Airlines will take delivery of from Airbus was painted at the Toulouse plant in blue, featuring a white XXL crane and the lettering “1926 | 2026” and “100” – using a total of 432 liters of […]

Gale Associates, Inc. to Lead Rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport Runway

July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 Kim Stevens

Gale Associates, Inc., through its Airport Engineering & Planning Group, is providing engineering design and construction administration services for the rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport’s primary airfield infrastructure. Construction began on July 13, 2026, with the airport closed to fixed-wing aircraft for approximately three months while improvements are completed. The project includes reconstruction of Runway […]

BRINC Raises $125M to Place 911 Response Drone on Every Police and Fire Station Roof

July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 Kim Stevens

BRINC today announced a $125 million financing round led by Motorola Solutions, with participation from Index Ventures and Dylan Field, Figma’s CEO and founder. The investment brings BRINC’s total capital raised to over a quarter billion dollars and will fuel the company’s mission to deploy 911 response drones at the 80,000 police and fire stations […]

Marcy Meyer Retires from Nebraska Aeronautics After Impressive 35 Year Career

July 14, 2026July 14, 2026 Kim Stevens

By Kim Stevens When Marcy Meyer arrived in Kearney, NE three decades ago, she knew nothing about aviation, let alone navaids. “I was looking for a job in a new community with good benefits and pay,” recalls Marcy. Last week, after a successful and productive thirty-five-year career in aviation, Marcy retired from the Nebraska Department […]

FL Technics Indonesia Opens Aircraft Painting Facility in Bali and Welcomes First Customer

July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

FL Technics Indonesia, the FAA Part-145 certified MRO provider, has opened a new aircraft painting facility at its Denpasar, Bali facility. The painting booth marks a significant expansion of the company’s full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities in Southeast Asia. On 30 June 2026, just days after the painting facility launched, FL Technics Indonesia […]

Zilvinas Lapinskas Appointed CEO of Avia Solutions Group to Lead the Next Phase of Global Expansion

July 13, 2026July 13, 2026 Kim Stevens

Avia Solutions Group has appointed Zilvinas Lapinskas as Chief Executive Officer to lead the next phase of global expansion, effective July 7. Lapinskas brings extensive international aviation experience and a proven track record of scaling operations in complex, highly regulated markets, to the role. As CEO of FL Technics Group, he transformed the business from […]

Oregon Department of Aviation Releases New Drone Training and Testing Template for Oregon Public Agencies

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODAV) has released a new training and testing companion to its public agency drone policy template, giving Oregon public bodies a clearer path for training, evaluating, and documenting the people who fly drones for public work. The earlier ODAV template helped agencies answer an important question: What rules should guide […]

National Aeronautic Association Names Kathryn Hughes as Recipient of the 2026 Stinson Award

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced that Col. (Ret.) Kathryn Hughes, MD, MPH, DAvMed, USAF, has been named the recipient of the NAA Stinson Award. The Stinson Award honors the legacy of sisters Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, pioneering aviators of the early 20th century. Among the first women to earn pilot’s licenses, they founded […]

Hawai‘i Airports Demonstrate Strong Carbon Management and Progress Toward 2045 Net Zero Emissions Target

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced that its five largest airports have reached Level 3 under the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program. This milestone reinforces the department’s commitment to sustainability in aviation across the state. Level 3 accreditation recognizes airports worldwide that have successfully mapped airport-wide carbon emissions, established a net-zero target, reduced emissions […]

AOPA Foundation to Expand High School Aviation Education with Maintenance and Manufacturing Curriculum

July 12, 2026July 12, 2026 Kim Stevens

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation announced today that it will add a maintenance and manufacturing pathway to its High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the free, nationally recognized program that has reached more than 130,000 students since it launched in 2016. The new curriculum, which is made possible by a donation from Gregory […]

Gale Associates, Inc. to Lead Rehabilitation of Mansfield Municipal Airport Runway

Hawaiian Airlines Unveils Livery Aircraft Featuring “Aloha All Around the World”

CubCrafters Introduces the New Carbon Cub ULT

GeoCue Welcomes Steel City Drones as New Distributor for TrueView and LP360 Solutions