Mesa, Arizona Customer Service Center to Soon Begin Operations out of Rented Facility 

Gulfstream celebrated the last year with their customer service program, capping off a year of expansions, customer service enhancements and sustainability changes. The company expanded its Farnborough, UK service Center, bringing its staff to more than 230 employees. The location has earned 30 regulatory approvals throughout the UK, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East to be able to provide factory-quality repair and overhaul. The Farnborough Airport has partnered with Gulfstream to address local sustainability goals, including a decreased carbon footprint and zero emission target, as well as the sale of sustainable aviation fuel for customers passing through.

Legal Battle to Stop $500 Fines for Drone Flights On State, Public, Property

Ottawa County, Michigan may have a fight on its hands if a local law firm has their way. A new drone ordinance disallows drones being flown on or around county property, as well as from taking photographs or recording video of certain public property in the state. The new law violates a higher Michigan state law that prohibits local and county governments from creating their own local restrictions on drone operations. The state is one of 17 that passed its own preemption law to create a more stable operating environment for the burgeoning UAV industry. In 2021, the Michigan Coalition of Drone Operators sued Ottawa County and won an injunction prohibiting the county from enforcing its unlawful ordinance. But the County is appealing the decision to the Michigan State Court of Appeals and once again place drone operators in jeopardy of fines and jail for their legal flights.

Longtime Industry Veteran's Surprise Passing Shocks Company

The Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Solutions & Support, Incorporated, Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick, has passed away due to complications from a sudden illness. “It is with great sadness that we announce that Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick, our founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, has passed away due to complications from a sudden illness. The entire IS&S family mourns this tragic loss. He will be sorely missed,” said the company in an official statement.

New Virginia Tech School AMT Program Gets Helpful Training Aid

A small technical school in Harrisonburg, Virginia received an impressive gift for their AMT program, a 6-place Cessna 320E Executive Skyknight (file photo). Massanutten Technical Center received the aircraft from George Roussel following an unsuccessful repair process before entering storage. The school is beginning to offer a new 2-year aviation maintenance program for the 2022-2023 school year, and the Cessna is a vitally needed piece of training equipment for incoming students. Roussel's aircraft was purchased as a convenient runabout for his medical practice, but a troublesome experience with an inept cut-and-run mechanic resulted in "near destruction," he said.

Funding Given to Foster Next Generation of Aviation Maintenance Personnel

The US Department of Transportation has awarded $5 million in grants in an effort to "develop a diverse talent pool of aviation maintenance technicians," ahead of a forecasted shortfall in qualified personnel in the coming years. The Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Grant is awarded to those organizations that teach technical skills and prepare participants for future careers in aviation maintenance. This iteration of grants has gone to a variety of locations, ranging from school districts, community colleges, training facilities, universities, and even state departments of education and transportation. One DC-area organization, the International brotherhood of Teamsters, got one of the larger donations at $450,000.

63% CAGR Expected, Top Brands Released

As the eVTOL industry moves onwards, investments and promises abound, building hype for an imminent future in which the everyday convenience of automotive ride share apps with an aircraft's limitless freedom of mobility. The Markets and Markets company released their forecast for the aerial unmanned taxi industry, which they see reaching $860 million. The industry for drone taxis is expected to hover over 60%, a lucrative prospect with an even better individual rate for the North American region. Smarter companies designing their aircraft have been designing their aircraft with an eye towards eventual unmanned flight, even with the flight controls and cockpit in place for a pilot.