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; promotes aviation awareness and education; and provides executive flight services for the Commonwealth leadership.
Virginia Aviation Board meets, allocates funds to state airports
The Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) approved tentative allocations of Commonwealth Airport Funds for Fiscal year 2009 at its meeting on Thursday, May 21 at the Holiday Inn Richmond Airport. Approved Air Carrier/Reliever Discretionary funding was $102,428 and General Aviation Discretionary funding was $242,153.82. Total Commonwealth Airport Fund discretionary funds allocated were $344,581.82. Projects addressed ranged from taxiway and taxi-lane rehabilitation in Manassas, to drainage rehabilitation in Suffolk, to auto parking rehabilitation in Danville, as well as land acquisition services at Mountain Empire and taxiway and drainage rehabilitation at Middle Peninsula. Also, 13 airports received funding for storm water pollution prevention plan and/or spill prevention control and countermeasures plan updates.
The next VAB meeting is Aug. 26-28 at the Virginia Aviation Conference in Roanoke. (press release)
2009 Virginia Aviation Conference
Registration is now open for the 2009 Virginia Aviation Conference. The event will be held at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center from August 26-28, 2009. Complete details about the conference including conference registration and hotel reservation information in now available. The deadline for registering for this year's conference is July 24, 2009.
Pilots recognized for completion of aviation ambassador program
The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) recognized 28 pilots for completing its Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Program (VAAP) at the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight in Suffolk on May 30.
The VAAP encourages people to experience all of Virginia’s public-use airports, visit the aviation museums, participate in at least one safety seminar and attend the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight. To participate in the program, pilots must get their Virginia Aviation Ambassador passport stamped at each location, earning recognition along the way. Bronze recognition for 25 airports, four aviation museums, a safety event and attendance at the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight is an Ambassador Cap and lapel pin. Silver recognition as the Ambassador reaches 50 airports is a pilot flight bag. The Gold recognition for visiting all 66 airports is a leather flight jacket with the Virginia Aviation Ambassador logo embroidered on the front.
“This program is an extraordinary opportunity for pilots, aviation enthusiasts and the general public to see the valuable economic assets in our system of airports,” said Randall Burdette, director of DOAV. “It gives pilots and riders alike an opportunity to set and meet goals in their flying and sightseeing, and experience all that Virginia aviation has to offer while having fun with friends and family.”
The following people were recognized for completing the program at the Festival of Flight: Shannon and Tessa Beebe of Dale Fowler of Smithfield Brian McKeehan of Mechanicsville Invergrove, Minn. Debbie and Chuck Gallaway of Kevin Moore of Oakton David A. Bernarckt of Gates, N. Fairfax Station Mary C. Mott of Chesapeake C. David Grow of Gloucester Point James L. Murphy of Fredericksburg Robert C. Brammer of Roanoke Greg Hermanson of Alexandria Jennifer Price-Singleton of Salem Joyce Chewning of Partlow Martin and Alexander Hobson of Jeff Williams of Partlow Peter Coen of Poquoson Clifton Cathy and Dudley Wireman of Hubert Compton of Orange Clifford Jordan of Woodbridge Stafford Wayne Derrington of Gates, N.C. James R. Maliwauki of Lloyd Wood of Colonial Heights Richard Dykes of Culpeper Mechanicsville Ronald E. Wray of Chester
Since the program’s start in 2005, 191 people have become Gold-level Virginia aviation ambassadors. A special thanks goes to Heart of Virginia Aviation, Hanover Airport and Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society for their assistance in sponsoring the Virginia Aviation Ambassador Program. To see the entire list of Gold Level Aviation Ambassadors or learn more about the Virginia Aviation Ambassador Program visit us on our web site at www.doav.virginia.gov. (press release)
Virginia Aviation Newsletter
The May/June 2009 edition of the Virginia Aviation Newsletter is now available for download.
Nominations for 2009 Virginia Aviation Awards are being accepted
The Virginia Department of Aviation is now accepting 2009 Virginia Aviation Award nominations. Awards for Virginia Airport Manager of the Year, Virginia Aviation Person of the Year, and Virginia Aviation Lifetime Achievement Award will be made at the Virginia Aviation Awards banquet on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center in Roanoke, Virginia. The deadline for nominations is June 12, 2009. Virginia Aviation Awards Nomination Package (pdf)
Aviation groups discuss promoting industry in challenging times
Representatives from various airports across the state came together March 28 at the Virginia Aviation Museum to discuss promoting aviation in the current economic climate. The seminar, “Promoting Aviation in Challenging Times,” was hosted by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV). Topics included event planning, airport advocacy, DOAV’s Aviation Promotion Program and media resources.
Passion for aviation fueled each speaker’s presentation. Bill Dunn of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association discussed the importance of airport advocacy, while Betty Vinson from the Virginia Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of licensed women pilots, discussed the planning of their annual Christmas Toy Airlift, which had its highest number of donations and participation last year. Steve Craven, a pilot with AngelFlight, which provides free air transportation for any legitimate, charitable, medically-related need, moved the attendees with his experiences, as well as Peter Bacque of the Tidewater Soaring Society, who spoke about introducing children to the world of gliders.
Judy Sparks, general manager, and Dee Whittington, public relations and marketing manager, of the Virginia Regional Festival of Flight, along with Gordon Campbell, president of the Virginia Aviation Council, discussed current planning for this year’s event May 30-31 in Suffolk. Whittington said the event’s Web site, www.virginiaflyin.org, has been a great tool for promoting the event to the general public as well as attracting and signing up vendors and volunteers.
“’Promoting Aviation in Challenging Times’ will become an annual event as we look at how we did in promoting our Commonwealth airports and communities over the previous year and then make adjustments to most efficiently take advantage of our resources and plan for the coming year,” said Randy Burdette, director of DOAV. “This will enable us to showcase our airports and all the super organizations that make Virginia aviation a success. Through this process we hope to introduce a whole new generation to aviation and all it has to offer.” (press release)
Temporary Parking Restrictions at Stafford Regional Airport
A restricted tradeshow will significantly limit ramp space at KRMN from May 9-24, 2009. Please check PPR NOTAMs. The FBO fuel services will be available but overnight or extended tiedown space will not. Please contact Ed Wallis, Stafford Regional Airport Manager, at (540) 658-1212 for more information.
Teachers receive grant money from Virginia Department of Aviation
The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) recently handed out seven $250 grants to teachers across the state towards aviation-related lessons and activities.
The recipients are:
• Lt. Col. William Carter, Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount;
• Sue Goncarovs, Olde Creek Elementary School in Alexandria;
• Gwendolyn Lee Lomax, Francis Mallory Elementary School in Hampton;
• Randall Miller, Kings Glen Elementary School in Springfield;
• Donald Mullins, J. M. Bevins Elementary School in Grundy;
• Amy Sabarre, Martinsville Middle School in Martinsville;
• Mary Montague Sikes, West Point Elementary School in West Point; and
• Sally Tobler, Hardin Reynolds Memorial School in Critz.
Teachers of grades K-12, who incorporate aviation into their classrooms, are eligible to apply for DOAV’s grant program every school year. This year’s activities include profiling historic aviation figures, constructing flying models, learning how parachutes work and studying weather conditions.
“Utilizing aviation in lesson plans is an excellent way to foster interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and to motivate students to succeed in school,” said Betty Wilson, DOAV Public Relations Manager. “It is our hope that some of the students impacted by these activities will join the aviation workforce in the future.”
Teachers receiving the grant must complete their lesson before the end of the 08-09 school year, and submit a final report to DOAV, including a summary of the results of the lesson or activity, a lesson plan, how many students benefited from the activity, a materials list with costs and receipts for items purchased. For more information on the DOAV’s other educational programs, visit www.doav.virginia.gov/aved.htm. (press release)
Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) and AOPA Air Safety Foundation (ASF) Present Virginia Aviation Safety Week Seminars
The Virginia Department of Aviation and AOPA Air Safety Foundation will be presenting pilot safety seminars on the topic “GPS from the Ground Up" with speaker Andy Miller at four
locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia from April 13-16, 2009.
(press release)
2009 Art Contest Winners Announced
Winners of the Virginia level of the 2009 International Aviation Art Contest have been announced. The theme for this year's competition was "Create a Poster for the World Air Games 2009." Students, ages 6-17, from across the Commonwealth participated in this year's contest. Winning artwork was forwarded to the National Association of State Aviation Executives (NASAO) for national judging.
Newly-chartered Virginia Airport Owners Association unites privately-owned airports
A group of private airport owners and aviation enthusiasts recently formed the Virginia Airport Owners Association (VAOA) to address issues concerning privately-owned, private use, airports within the state. The organization, thought to be the first of its kind in the nation, will provide a united voice for this segment of the aviation industry. There are 226 private owned, private use airports currently registered in Virginia. VAOA is being commended by the Airport Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) for its efforts to foster the continued growth and development of private airports in Virginia. VAOA is providing networking, communication, security awareness and economic opportunities for airport owners and aviation enthusiasts throughout the state.
“The purpose of the VAOA is to become the recognized voice for all issues concerning privately-owned airports within the state,” said John Mazza Jr., president of the VAOA. Future plans for the VAOA include ensuring that local and state governments understand the value of privately owned airports. The VAOA will also work to streamline the zoning process of new, privately owned airports as well as work to ensure that neighbors of privately owned airports understand the operations and value of these airports.
“The creation of the VAOA is a great opportunity for the aviation community. It will improve communications between this segment of aviation and DOAV,” said Randy Burdette, director of DOAV. “It will allow us to work together to promote a safer and more secure aviation system for the citizens of the Commonwealth.”
For more information, contact Mazza at 804-526-7665, Kevin Murray, treasurer, at 540-297-6754 or e-mail VAOA@live.com. The Virginia Airport Owners Association is a 501(c)(6) corporation chartered in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
February Edition of VASEF Newsletter Available for Download
The February edition of the Virginia Aviation and Space Education Forum (VASEF) newsletter is now available for download. Among the highlights of this edition is the announcement of the winners of the Virginia level of the 2009 International Aviation Art Contest.
Virginia Regional Festival of Flight
The Virginia Regional Festival of Flight will take place on May 30-31, 2009 at the Suffolk Executive Airport.While you're there be sure to visit the Department of Aviation's exhibit trailer. If you're participating in the Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Program don't forget to get your passport stamped.
If you're interested in volunteering at the Fly-In there will be a free volunteer picnic at the Suffolk Executive Airport on Saturday, May 2nd. Training starts at 11am at the Suffolk Airport terminal building and picnic follows at noon. Volunteer! It won't hurt! If you need further information, please contact Judy Pastusek, Volunteer Coordinator at pas26va@comcast.net or (703) 271-8008 .
Toy Airlift at Chesterfield County Airport a Success!
Christmas Toy Airlift, sponsored by the Virginia Chapter Ninety-Nines, took place at Chesterfield County Airport on Saturday, December 13, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The flying weather was perfect and there was a huge turnout. Pilots from Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland flew (and drove) in with toys and other donations. Over 700 toys were collected and are being distributed by the National Guard to Army Community Services for families of military and wounded veterans. Santa arrived at Chesterfield County Airport at around 11:00 a.m. in a blue and yellow Stearman biplane. He gave candy canes to the dozens of chil
dren who were eagerly awaiting him.
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) members gave Young Eagles Flights to young people between 8 and 17 years of age. The Virginia Chapter Ninety-Nines provided coffee and donuts and offered a hot lunch (proceeds going to breast cancer research). Live performers offered Christmas music throughout the day in the airport terminal.
The Virginia Chapter Ninety-Nines, Chesterfield County Airport and Dominion Aviation, Experimental Aircraft Association, Wing Nuts Flying Club, and the many generous pilots and members of the community who supported this program are to be commended for all their efforts. A special thanks to Ninety-Nine Betty Vinson, who coordinated this very successful event! For more information about the program contact Betty at (804) 541-0590 or e-mail bettyvinson@verizon.net.
Tangier Runway Now Open
The runway at Tangier Island Airport is open as of 2:00 p.m. on November 26, 2008. The rehabilitation work that necessitated the closing of the runway is now complete. Please continue to check your NOTAMS as the runway may be closed for short periods of time in December to complete the final markings and final shoulder work.
Northern Virginia pilots recognized for participation in aviation program
The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) recently recognized Rick Rahim of Great Falls, George Smith of Purcellville and Richard Largent of Stephens City with Top Eagle awards for their participation in the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Program.
The EAA Young Eagles program was launched in 1992 to give interested children, ages 8-17, an opportunity to go flying in a general aviation aircraft. These flights are offered free of charge and are made possible through the generosity of EAA member volunteers. Over this past year, in the Commonwealth of Virginia alone, 120 pilots gave 1,707 young people an introduction to aviation through the program. Rahim topped the list with 193 Young Eagles flown, Smith came in second with 117 flights and Largent came in third place, flying 85 Young Eagles.
“This year’s participation from Virginia’s pilots was outstanding,” said Randy Burdette, director of DOAV. “The time and resources they put into the program help introduce a whole new generation to the world of aviation.”
The Young Eagles Program passed a milestone in June with its 1.4 millionth flight since the program’s beginning. Young Eagles have been registered in more than 90 different countries and have been flown by more than 41,000 volunteer pilots. For more information about Young Eagles, visit www.youngeagles.org or call 877-806-8902. Press Release
New Web Site Launched To Promote Air Taxi Service In Virginia
The Virginia SATSLab (VSATS), in partnership with the Air Taxi Association (ATXA), has officially launched VirginiaAirTaxi.com, a new on-demand flight reservations system.
VirginiaAirTaxi.com allows travelers to book on-demand flights from air taxi and air charter operators instantly. In addition, the site features information on the next-generation air taxi industry, commonly-used air taxi aircraft, a question-and-answer section and a detailed directory of all public-use airports in Virginia.
"Virginia has always been at the forefront of accelerating next-generation aviation," said Keith McCrea, executive director of VSATS. "This Web site will help foster community airport utilization across the 64 local airports throughout the Commonwealth."
The reservations system allows any operator to be displayed on the system via ATXA and Door2DoorAir. Operators that allow customer interaction may be added to the system in as little as one business day.
"In launching VirginiaAirTaxi.com, Virginia has taken a leading role in creating public awareness about on-demand flights from their local airports onward to wherever they need to go," said Joe Leader, president of ATXA. "This opens an opportunity for every community airport to have direct flights to hundreds of destinations. These on-demand, direct flights will be a driver of economic development to communities across the state."
The new Web site will be demonstrated at booth 3006, hosted by Virginia and ATXA, at the 61st Annual National Business Aviation Association Meeting & Convention (NBAA 2008) in Orlando, Florida. NBAA 2008 will host nearly 33,000 attendees and 1,200 exhibitors.
ATXA is an alliance of next-generation air taxi providers that offer direct, on-demand flight service at greatly reduced prices.
Virginia Department of Aviation Receives IS-BAO Certification
The Virginia Department of Aviation has become the first state-operated flight operations department to receive a certification known as the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO). (www.ibac.org/is-bao/isbao_overview.htm)
IS-BAO began as a program in May 2002, and since that time only 120 flight operations departments in the business aircraft community have been certified worldwide.
“For more than 40 years, the Commonwealth of Virginia has provided world-class air transportation services for its Governors, other elected officials, state agency directors and their staff. The Department of Aviation has an extraordinary safety record. I am pleased that we have received this certification and tremendously proud that we are the first state in the nation to do so”, said Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer.
The parent of the IS-BAO effort is the International Business Aviation Council, which developed it as a code of best practice for the benefit of flight operations departments in the rapidly growing business aviation sector. It serves as a benchmark of professionalism and standardization for the conduct of flight operations departments and addresses such items as SOP’s (standard operating procedures), while at the same time allowing an outside critique of strengths and weaknesses of the flight department operations procedures. Safety is the core of the effort, but not the only aspect for review. Business practices, among others, are also examined. IS-BAO gives the Department a known and true industry standard of safety accepted worldwide.
DOAV’s Flight Operations and Safety Division employs six (6) full-time and four (4) part-time pilots, two (2) maintenance personnel, flight coordinator and operates two (2) Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350 turbine executive aircraft and one (1) single-engine Cessna 206 to provided executive flight service to Virginia state agencies.
Press release , Photo 1, Photo 2
2008 Virginia Aviation Awards
The Virginia Department of Aviation recently presented the 2008 Virginia Aviation Awards to individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. William T. "Tim" Gaylord was named Virginia Airport Manager of the Year for his achievements at the Middle Peninsula Regional Airport. David L. Young, Dean of the Liberty University School of Aeronautics, received the Virginia Aviation Person of the Year Award for his leadership role in training future aviation professionals and promoting aviation education. George Zahn was honored with the Virginia Lifetime Achievement Award for his lifetime contributions to aviation in Virginia; especially his role in the conversion of the existing West Point Airport into the Middle Peninsula Airport.
The recipients were recognized at a luncheon organized by the Virginia Airport Operators Council (VAOC) on August 19, 2008 at the Richmond Country Club in Richmond, Virginia. Randall Burdette, Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation, made the presentations. Full text of press release
Virginia Department of Aviation Announces Scholarship Recipients
The Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV) recently announced the 2008 recipients of the John R. Lillard Virginia Airport Operators Council (VAOC) Scholarship and the Willard G. Plentl, Sr. Scholarship.Hunter Guilliams, this year’s $3,000 John R. Lillard VAOC Scholarship award winner and a graduate of James River High School in Buchanan, has enrolled in Virginia Tech’s aerospace engineering program. He wrote in his application essay about his longtime fascination with aviation.
“Perhaps it was the freedom offered by flying, the boundless feeling of the sky and the sense that one could go anywhere,” Guilliams wrote.
Steven Newcomb, this year’s $1,000 Willard G. Plentl, Sr. Scholarship award winner and a graduate of Lee-Davis High School in Mechanicsville, has enrolled in Averett University’s flight operations program with aspirations of becoming of commercial pilot.
“Flying city to city inside the United State or across oceans to foreign countries would bring continuous satisfaction to me,” Newcomb wrote in his scholarship application essay.
The John R. Lillard VAOC Scholarship is named in honor of John R. Lillard, an aviation enthusiast and great humanitarian that served in several leadership positions with the Capital Region Airport Commission, Chesterfield County Airport and Eastern Airlines. This scholarship is made possible through the kind and generous support of the members of the VAOC and is awarded to a Virginia high school senior that has maintained at least a 3.75 un-weighted grade point average; plans a career in the field of aviation; and must be enrolled or accepted into an aviation related program at an accredited college.
The Willard G. Plentl, Sr. Scholarship is named in honor of Willard G. Plentl, Sr., a military combat pilot veteran and former Director of Aeronautics for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Plentl retired from the Virginia Department of Aviation in 1984 and was elected to the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame that same year. This scholarship is awarded to a Virginia high school senior with at least a 3.5 un-weighted grade point average; plans an aviation career in a nonengineering
area; and has been accepted into a non-engineering, aviation-related post-secondary education program.
Virginia Department of Aviation Receives Grant to Continue Ambassadors Awards
The Virginia Department of Aviation is pleased to announce that it has received a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society, funded by its partners Heart of Virginia Aviation and Tecnam Aircraft, to continue providing rewards for its Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Program. The Ambassadors program recognition rewards had been suspended in February due to low aviation revenue collections.
The highly successful Virginia Aviation Ambassadors Program was established in 2005 to encourage pilots and the general public to visit Virginia's 66 public use airports, attend pilot safety seminars, and visit aviation museums. At each location or event, participants receive a stamp in an Aviation Passport.
2007-08 Virginia Aeronautical Chart Available
The 2007-08 Virginia Aeronautical Chart is now available from the Virginia Department of Aviation (e-mail receptionist@doav.virginia.gov). The chart, to be used for planning only - not legal for navigation, is also being distributed at no charge at Virginia's public use airports and at fly-in's in Virginia.
2007 Virginia Aviation Photography Contest
The 2007 Virginia Aviation Photography Contest was a great success. Many wonderful photographs of aviation in the Commonwealth were entered. The winning photographs have now been selected and are now available to view on this website.
New Tappahannock Airport Opens
The new Tappahannock-Essex County Airport, a 4,300 foot general aviation facility located a few miles south of Tappahannock off U.S. 360, is now open. It will replace the existing 2800 foot airport located in Tappahannock.
