February 2, 2015
WWII Veteran Reunited with Last B-26  Guidance Aviation of Prescott, Arizona has produced a must-see video of WWII Veteran, Barney Wasowicz as he was reunited with the last B-26 Marauder at the Fantasy of Flight Museum in Florida. Wasowicz, on his 18th mission piloting the Marauder, became a POW after being shot down over occupied France. Watch Video: Guidance
Missouri State should manage its aircraft fleet more efficiently The state of Missouri owns 14 planes and five helicopters. It spends about $3.3 million a year to operate the fleet, and employs 16 pilots at an added annual cost of $1.5 million. A new report by state auditor Tom Schweich makes a strong case for saving money by paring down the state’s fleet of aircraft and consolidating operations. Read more: Kansas City Star Audit: Missouri state government has too many airplanes Three things define the state of Missouri’s plane situation for state Auditor Tom Schweich: there’s too many, they cost too much and they aren’t used enough. These conclusions are laid out in an audit released Monday examining the state’s airplane and helicopter usage. Read more: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Kansas CESSNA CELEBRATES ROLL OUT OF FIRST PRODUCTION CITATION LATITUDE  Cessna Aircraft Company celebrated recently the roll out of the first production Citation Latitude at the company’s Wichita, Kansas manufacturing facility, just three years since being announced to the market. The assembly of the Latitude features a variety of technological advancements including the use of new automated robotics and ergonomically friendly tooling stations. Today’s event is the latest in the aircraft’s progression toward type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is expected in the second quarter of this year. Read more: State Aviation Journal
 Washington State Aircraft taxes should go into aviation fund, AOPA says Under a current Washington law, only 10 percent of the aircraft excise taxes that aircraft owners pay go to the Washington State Division of Aeronautics, while the other 90 percent go into the general fund. Read more: AOPA
Arizona
Peoria lands Asian aviation company
A Chinese aviation company is coming to Peoria and with it 30 high-paying jobs in aerospace systems and software engineering with annual salaries in excess of $100,000.
Read more: AZ Newszap.com
Ohio
$27.5M in construction work coming to Dayton airports
The Dayton International Airport looks to be on track for funding to some planned upgrades. Dayton City Commission accepted Wednesday morning $25 million in grants that will benefit the Dayton International Airport and Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport.
Read more: Dayton Business Journal
Iowa
Marion hopes investment takes new ‘hybrid’ city airport to new heights
The city of Marion is taking steps to purchase the Marion Airport, converting it from a privately held facility to a “hybrid” municipally owned airport.
Read more: Cedar Rapids Gazette
 Florida
Freshman Miami congressman assigned to aviation subcommittee
U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, Miami’s only freshman congressman, said last week that he’s been assigned to three Transportation & Infrastructure subcommittees of particular importance to South Florida, one being aviation. “Our airports and seaports drive South Florida’s economy and are of major significance to the country,” Curbelo said in a statement.
Air Service
Nebraska DOT derails Aerodynamics’ plans for scheduled air service The U.S. Department of Transportation has tentatively denied Aerodynamics Inc.’s proposal for scheduled air service, putting the future of air service at Kearney Regional Airport in question once again. Read more: Kearney Hub Nebraska Scottsbluff, Kearney, North Platte airports may have to choose another airline Airports in Scottsbluff, North Platte and Kearney, Nebraska, may have to choose a new airline to provide subsidized service. The U.S. Transportation Department said in an order late last week that Beachwood, Ohio-based Aerodynamics Inc. has failed to show it is fit to operate as an air carrier under the direction and control of Scott Beale, its majority shareholder and CEO. Read more: Omaha World Herald
New Jersey
Momentum builds for aviation research park
An aviation research park stalled by funding shortages, lawsuits and alleged mismanagement appears to have “turned the corner” as hopes build that construction may finally start this year, the project’s new chief executive said last week.
Read more: Press of Atlantic City
Ohio
Hartzell, Red Bull Air Race Partner for another Year
 Hartzell Propeller Inc. will become the propeller technical partner of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship series for the second consecutive year in 2015. Hartzell will again provide its three-blade structural composite propeller known as “The Claw,” carbon fiber composite spinners, and lightweight governors to each race team. Hartzell will also supply complete propeller technical support and maintenance services for all of the entrants for races throughout the world.
Read more: State Aviation Journal
Florida
Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made” Finalizes Filming at Piper Aircraft
 The Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made” documentary television series has completed filming at Piper Aircraft, culminating after two detail-intensive days in the factory and supporting departments.
Read more: State Aviation Journal
Ohio
Lightspeed announces first $500 Burger Deluxe Getaway winner
 Lightspeed Aviation has announced that M. Wade Davis of Dayton, Ohio is the first weekly winner in the $500 Burger Deluxe Getaway, the enhanced version of the sweepstakes that Lightspeed debuted last year.
Read more: State Aviation Journal
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On Wednesday, January 28, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton launched a program that makes it easy for passengers at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to provide support to USO Arizona. Change receptacles located in front of each security checkpoint in the terminals are now available for travelers to contribute loose monies to help make a difference to service members. 
