Welcome to the Virginia Department of Aviation
The Virginia Department of Aviation is a state transportation agency whose mission is to cultivate an advanced aviation system that is safe, secure and provides for economic development; promote aviation awareness and education; and provide the safest and most efficient flight services for the Commonwealth Leadership and State agencies.
Virginia Aviation Blog
For the most timely information about what's going on in aviation in Virginia,visit the Virginia Aviation Blog
Tappahannock-Essex County Airport Tornado Relief Fly-In
The Tappahannock-Essex County Airport Tornado Relief Fly-In will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Free hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. On Wednesday February 24, 2016, Essex County residents suffered considerable damage due to a tornado that cut a swath through the county from south to north. Some lost everything. Some homes were completely destroyed and blown away not to mention personal physical injury. Some of these residents had no insurance and are left with nothing. The immediate outpouring of support from the local community has been impressive but going forward they will certainly need help for a long time to come. Any donation you could provide to help them get back on their feet would be greatly appreciated. Recommended donations: monetary, debit cards, or local store gift cards. The airport has arranged for 100% of the donations to go directly to those in need. For more information contact Jim Evans, Airport Manager, at (804) 443-5885 or kxsa.airportinfo@gmail.com
Recreational Aviation Foundation Camping Events in Virginia
A series of airport camping events, organized by the Virginia RAF, will take place at public-use airports across Virginia this summer. Everyone is invited!
- Shannon Airport (EZF) June 3-5, 2016 Manager: Luke Curtas, (540) 373-4431, lcurtas@shannonezf.com
- Warrenton Fauquier (HWY) July 8-10, 2016 Manager Dave Darrah, (540) 422-8283, david.darrah@fauquiercounty.gov
- Lonesome Pine (LNP) Aug 5-7, 2016, Manager: Jarrod Powers, (276) 328-5300, lonesomepineairport@gmail.com
- Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport (JGG) Sep 2-5, 2016, Manager: Larry Waltrip, (757) 229-9256, larry@waltriprecycling.com
- Suffolk Executive Airport (SFQ) Oct 7-9, 2016, In conjunction with the Peanut Festival, Manager: Kent Marshall, (757) 514-4411, kmarshall@suffolkva.us
For more information about these events contact Eva Gardner at (540) 455-7063 or egardner@theraf.org or the airport manager.
Virginia Regional Festival of Flight Website is Active
The Virginia Regional Festival of Flight, scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 8, 2016, during the annual Peanut Festival at Suffolk Executive Airport now has an active website http://virginiafestivalofflight.org. Mark the date on your calendar. For more information contact Daniel Arkin at flyinmanager@virginiafestivalofflight.org
FAA's Rules for Registering Unmanned Aerial Systems Released
Unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds and more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) on takeoff, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft and operated outdoors in the national airspace system must register. These aircraft may register under the new web-based registration system. You must be 13 years of age or older before you are permitted to register an unmanned aircraft. If the owner is less than 13 years of age, then a person who is at least 13 years of age must register the unmanned aircraft.
A certificate of registration will be available to download and will be sent to your email address at the time of registration. When operating your UAS you must be able to present the certificate in either print or electronic format if asked for proof of registration.You will be required to renew every three years and you must pay a $5 renewal fee.
You can register your drone on FAA.gov (https://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/ ) beginning on December 21, 2015. Federal law requires owners to pay $5 to register their aircraft. However, registration is free for the first 30 days to encourage speedy registration of UAS. During the first 30 days, you must pay $5 with a credit card and a $5 credit will appear shortly afterwards.
You will receive a unique registration number that applies to any and all UAS that you own. You must mark all of your UAS with the unique registration number before operating. A registration certificate that contains the unique FAA registration number, the issue and expiration dates, and the name of the certificate holder will be sent to your email address immediately.
Failure to register an aircraft may result in regulatory and criminal sanctions. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
For complete details regarding registration visit http://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/faqs
Beta Test underway of B4UFly Smartphone App which helps unmanned aircraft operators determine whether there are any restrictions or requirements in effect at the location where they want to fly.
Virginia Commercial Air Service Review Now Available
The Virginia Commercial Air Service Review (December 2015) is now available for download
The Ninety-Nines Toy Airlift
The Virginia Chapter of the Ninety Nines held their eighth annual Toy Airlift at Richmond Executive Airport (KFCI) on Saturday, December 12, 2015. The event is held to benefit Holiday Helpers at Ft. Lee. This organization helps to provide toys to children of soldiers who are seriously injured or who otherwise are experiencing serious financial hardship. The chapter also collects personal items and clothing for our injured veterans at McGuire VA hospital.
The Toy Airlift was a huge success. The latest count shows we collected 676 toys and 631 personal care items and clothing for the veterans.
Soldiers from Fort Lee were there to receive gifts flown in by pilots from all over the state of Virginia. Ninety Nines chapters from Hampton Roads, Old Dominion and Eastern Pennsylvania also flew in planes full of gifts. There was a total of 14 planes involved in the toy airlift throughout the day.
Chesterfield County children and their parents arrived for Santa’s grand entrance. Santa flew in on his plane, the “North Pole Polar Express.” Santa was available to meet and talk with the children and receive the gifts they brought.
Other local Chesterfield residents drove in with their generous donations which included bicycles.
Christmas music was provided throughout the day by the Manchester H.S. choral students directed by Robyn Kim and the Bon Air Strings directed by Randy Allen.
The Virginia Chapter of the Ninety Nines wishes to thank Chesterfield County public relations, the Richmond Executive airport staff, Dominion Aviation’s staff and line service, Kings Korner and the Virginia Department of Aviation. Everyone generously provided their time and assistance in helping us put on another successful event. Dominion Aviation also offered fuel discounts for the pilots involved with the toy airlift. We also wish to thank Manchester High School and the Bon air Strings for their wonderful performances.
We look forward to doing it all again in 2016.
Sincerely,
The Virginia Chapter of the Ninety Nines
Enter the 2016 Virginia Aviation Art Contest!
The theme for the 2016 International Aviation Art Contest is "Create a Poster for Air Sports and Nature in Harmony". Download more information about this year's contest. The Virginia Department of Aviation is now accepting entries for this year's state level contest.
Jasmin Yoon, age 13, of Centerville, Virginia was selected as the 2015 first place winner in the Intermediate Category of the International Aviation Art Contest. This is the second year in a a row that a Virginia student has been selected as an International winner.In 2014, Justin Lee of Herndon, Virginia was the International winner in the Senior Category. See all the winning artwork.
Since 1989 the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) has sponsored the International Aviation Art Contest to challenge young people to illustrate the importance of aviation through art. Demonstrating the impact of aeronautics through an interactive, fun medium such as art motivates youth of all ages to become more familiar with aeronautics, engineering and science. The U.S. portion of the contest is sanctioned by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA), managed by the NASAO Center for Aviation Research and Education and sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautic University - Prescott, Ken Cook Co., the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Coalition for Aviation and Space Education with additional support from NASAO members.
Children between the ages of 6 and 17 may participate. Entries will be judged in three classes, according to age and at least in part for its creative use of the theme in relation to the aviation world. Each FAI member country sponsors the contest in their country, and submits national winners to the International Jury each year.
New Virginia Airport Directory is Now Available
The 2015-16 Virginia Airport Directory is now available. Within the next couple of weeks, each public use airport in Virginia will be sent copies for distribution. You may also contact the Virginia Department Aviation to receive a copy.
The new directory features information about each of Virginia's 66 public use airports as well as a list of private airports. New for this year is a second page for each public use airport that lists tourist sites and economic development contact information for that community.
2015 Virginia Department of Aviation’s Photo Contest
The 2015 Virginia Department of Aviation Photo Contest is now underway. Submit your aviation photos that have been taken within the Commonwealth of Virginia within the last three (3) years and not previously published. Winners will be featured in the 2016/2017 Virginia Aviation Calendar, on the Department of Aviation’s website, on the DOAV’s blog ‘Virginia Aviation News’ and on DOAV’s facebook and twitter sites. First, second and third place winners in each category will receive a certificate of recognition and a package of Virginia Department of Aviation and Virginia is for Flying Lovers logo items. All entries will be judged by an impartial panel.
Photos may be submitted in the following categories:aircraft, airports, people, miscellaneous aviation, aerials, and digitally altered ima
ges.
Each photographer may submit a maximum of twelve (12) photos for the contest. All photos involving aviation in the Commonwealth of Virginia will be accepted. Entry forms and releases must be fully completed for the photo to be considered.
All entries must be postmarked by October 16, 2015.
Reproduction Rights
Photos submitted to the contest may be used by the Virginia Department of Aviation to promote aviation in Virginia. All entries become and remain the property of the Virginia Department of Aviation and may be used without permission or credit. CDs will not be returned.
How to Submit Entries
Only digital entries will be accepted. Photos should be taken at the highest resolution possible (minimum 300 dpi or 3MB). Preferred format is .jpg. A completed entry form and model release (if needed) should be submitted with each photo. Email entries and form to doavphotocontest@gmail.com or mail a CD to:
Virginia Department of Aviation
Attn: Kim Wells
5702 Gulfstream Rd.
Richmond, VA 23250-2422
Questions? Call 804-236-3624
Women Can Fly, a series of three special Saturday events held in June of 2015, introduced aviation to more girls and women of all ages in Virginia.
The event provided a variety of enjoyable and educational experiences, including aircraft static displays, tours of facilities, simulation opportunities, and a
flight in a general aviation aircraft. The first event at Lynchburg Regional Airport flew 111 women and girls. The second event at Hampton Roads Executive Airport also flew 111 women and girls. The third event at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport had bad weather but despite the downpours of rain it was estimated that 200 people showed up for the event and were able to look at aircraft on the ground, visit exhbitors and have lunch in a large airport hangar.
By providing information with hands-on experiences and demonstrating the sheer fun of flight, the goal of Women Can Fly is to encourage participants to fly recreationally, become a private pilot, or pursue a career in aviation. Representatives from the airlines, military, business and recreational aviation showcase aviation’s diverse field for career opportunities.
Today, women pilots represent only 6% of the total pilot population. Women Can Fly intends to improve upon this statistic by making an appeal to all future female pilots.
For more information visit http://www.womencanfly.org
Women Can Fly is co-sponsored by The Ninety-Nines, Inc. (International Organization of Women Pilots), Liberty University, Freedom Aviation, Virginia Department of Aviation, and participating airports.
The Future of Unmanned Vehicle Systems in Virginia
Late last year, Virginia Tech was selected by the FAA as one of six unmanned aerial system (UAV) test site operators in the United States. The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAPP) had its first flight ceremony at the Virginia Tech test range on Wednesday, August 13th. In attendance at this historical event were dignitaries including Governor Terry McAuliffe as well as the Chairman of the Virginia Aviation Board and Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation.
Virginia has the opportunity and the capability to be a national leader in the development, manufacture, and creative use of autonomous vehicles. Economic development in this area could yield thousands of high-paying, high-technology jobs in communities throughout the Commonwealth. Autonomous vehicles include intelligent cars, self-guiding tractors, water surface and underwater vehicles, and unmanned aircraft. Policies established by Virginia leaders will determine if and how the Commonwealth will leverage its substantial strength in this emerging technology. Below there is a link to a study that provides an overview of the issues and opportunities concerning autonomous vehicles in order to support informed decisions about the future of autonomous vehicles in the Commonwealth.
For more information about this study please contact Craig Woolsey, Aerospace & Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech at:
Phone: 540-231-8117
E-Mail: cwoolsey@vt.edu
URL: http://www.dept.aoe.vt.edu/~cwoolsey/
For more information about state policy regarding Unmanned Vehicle Systems in Virginia please contact Karen Jackson, Secretary of Technology. Her office number is 804.786.9579 and her e-mail address: Karen.jackson@governor.virginia.gov
“Virginia Warbird Association” seeks unity for local warbird enthusiasts
The Virginia Warbird Association has been established to educate, promote and preserve warbird operations throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. A warbird is defined as any vintage military aircraft now operated by a civilian organization or individual. The creation of the Virginia Warbird Association hopes to honor Virginia’s aviation heritage and the men and women who dedicated their lives to flying these warbirds.
Its intention is to bring local warbird groups and pilots together under one association and be the source of information for those who would like aircraft to serve as static displays for events in Virginia and neighboring states throughout the mid-Atlantic. The first association meeting was held in Petersburg this past October where it was decided that John V. Mazza, Jr. will serve as the chairman of the Virginia Warbird Association while the board of directors is under development.
For more information contact Mr. Mazza at 804-536-4040 or johnny@medillonpools.com.
