Alliance for Aviation Across America

"When Seuk Kim took off from Maryland last weekend with three small dogs aboard his plane, it was the latest of many volunteer flights he had made to rescue animals in need. After realizing a childhood dream of becoming a pilot, Kim transported cats and dogs from disaster areas, overcrowded shelters and other misfortunes — including a dog trapped for days in a shipping container — to rescue groups. He lined up other aviators to do the same. But Sunday’s flight to New York was his last. Kim’s 1986 Mooney M20J crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, killing the 49-year-old pilot and one of the dogs, authorities said. The other two pups survived and were recovering Tuesday. 'There are very few people like Seuk in this world. He has no ulterior motives. He never needed recognition,” said Sydney Galley, a fellow rescue flight volunteer. 'He just wanted to help.'"

Honda Receives FAA Green Light To Begin Flying Hybrid-Electric Aircraft 👇 Another of the world’s top automakers is stepping into the world of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. A spokesperson for Honda Aircraft Co., a subsidiary of the automobile giant, told FLYING the FAA granted an exemption to Honda Research Institute (HRI) to fly a subscale test model of the hybrid-electric VTOL concept it announced in 2021. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gk6nWhrP

FAA Opens Applications For Summer Intern Program 👇 The FAA is accepting applications until Nov. 29, 2024, for the summer 2025 session of the Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) Intern Program. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eFaE-psQ

Federal Funding To Advance Aerial Firefighting Training With New Flight Simulator 👇 Delta State University’s Commercial Aviation Department has been awarded a $1 million federal grant to purchase an advanced Agricultural and Aerial Firefighting Flight Simulator. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e8W5YQFi

The first retail sale of General Aviation Modifications' (GAMI's) G100UL unleaded high-octane fuel will likely take place today (Oct. 30) at Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose, California. The airport, operated by Santa Clara County, received 7500 gallons of the STC-approved replacement for 100LL on Monday and employees loaded it into one of two fuel trucks operated by the county. GAMI founder George Braly told AVweb the county, which banned leaded fuel sales at the airport last year, will be selling the fuel at prices comparable to other fuels available at the field and in the same range as 100LL at nearby airports, but airport officials were not able to discuss the price of the fuel on Tuesday. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eJkkpBAD

Sarah Jakober is a U.S. Forest Service wildland firefighter who serves on the Grand Ronde Rappel Crew based in Grande, Oregon. She shares her take on being a wildland firefighter and provides a window into a day on the job, as part of a team that repels out of helicopters.

A great letter to the editor about Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from the Executive Director of Falls City, Nebraska Economic Development and Growth Enterprise: "Over the past 18 months, in my capacity as the executive director of Falls City Economic Development & Growth Enterprise, Inc., I have been actively pursuing opportunities to position Falls City and Southeast Nebraska as a focal point for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) development. This fuel has the potential to reduce aviation emissions by capitalizing on Nebraska-grown agricultural byproducts that have previously gone unused. I have been attending industry conferences and conducting in-depth market research to gain insight into this rapidly developing industry and the ways it can drive economic development across our region.   Our new Mid-America Rail Campus, located just south of Falls City, represents a significant opportunity to support SAF production, and we see this as a chance to create an anchor project that will stimulate local growth. With support from USDA grants, we have conducted research into local feedstocks, such as corn stover, to attract SAF developers. The potential economic impact of SAF on our community is profound — supporting jobs, boosting local income, and driving innovation right here in Southeast Nebraska.   U.S. Rep. Mike Flood’s leadership, as a founding member of the bipartisan Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus and his support for SAF, sends a strong message about the importance of sustainable energy solutions for both our economy and our climate goals. By advancing SAF production, we can bring a new and exciting wave of development to communities like Falls City, ensuring that Nebraska continues to be at the forefront of agricultural and energy innovation."   Lucas Froeschl, Falls City, Nebraska Executive Director Falls City Economic Development & Growth Enterprise   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ehPM3Wsm

Commend Rep. Suzan DelBene for supporting Sustainable Aviation Fuel October 16, 2024 Barbara Tolbert   To the Editor: As the former Mayor of Arlington and the Executive Director of the Arlington Fly-In, I have seen firsthand how innovation and sustainability can drive both economic growth and environmental progress. The aviation industry is at a pivotal moment, especially here in Washington, where sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and advanced technologies are revolutionizing the sector. This is why I want to commend U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01) for her leadership as a founding member of the bipartisan Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus. SAF, which can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80%, represents a transformative opportunity for Washington’s aviation industry and our state’s economy. Projects like SkyNRG’s SAF plant, set to produce 30 million gallons of SAF annually by 2029, will create 600 jobs and place our state at the forefront of sustainable aviation innovation. In addition to SAF, companies in our county, such as Eviation, MagniX and ZeroAvia, are pioneering electric, hybrid and hydrogen-electric propulsion systems, paving the way for a cleaner future in aviation, and benefiting our local economy. With initiatives like these, Washington is leading the charge in developing technologies that will greatly improve one of the toughest industries to decarbonize, and help the industry achieve its commitment of net-zero emissions by 2050. Rep. DelBene’s efforts to support these innovations will ensure that Washington remains a global leader in both economic development and sustainability. I applaud her work in advancing our state’s clean energy future while supporting jobs and growth in the aviation sector. Barbara Tolbert Arlington Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e4eXAa-Q

What began as a wellness check on some family members in western North Carolina turned into a days-long search-and-rescue mission for volunteer helicopter pilot Zeb Hadley. Hadley, a private helicopter owner and CEO of Raleigh-based commercial and industrial painting company National Coatings, ended up saving an 11-day-old baby who was born prematurely just before Hurricane Helene struck the Appalachian region.

Letter-to-the-Editor: Rep. Kean advances sustainable aviation fuel At the New Jersey Sustainable Business Council, we believe that sustainable business innovation is key to building a 21st-century economy that prioritizes people, profit and the planet. One promising pathway to achieving this vision is through the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), a powerful tool for reducing aviation’s carbon footprint while spurring economic growth. We commend U.S. Rep. Tom Kean Jr. R-7th Dist., for his leadership in advancing sustainable aviation fuel through the bipartisan Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus. SAF (made from non-petroleum sources, such as vegetation or food waste) is an essential innovation that aligns with the principles of sustainability that our own organization champions. By reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel, SAF is a prime example of how sustainability can drive economic development while addressing climate change. Full-scale transition to SAF could support as many as 400,000 jobs nationwide, providing significant economic opportunities for New Jersey’s businesses. We applaud Rep. Kean for his forward-thinking approach to fostering a sustainable economy that benefits both people and the planet. We look forward to continuing to work together to build a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable future for the Garden State. Richard Lawton, Lawrenceville (The writer is executive director of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Council) Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ecJJMurG