$21 million in grants awarded to VA airports

The Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program awarded over $21 million in federal funding to upgrade 8 airports across Virginia including Winchester Regional Airport, Warrenton-Fauquier Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington Airport.

The Winchester Regional Airport Authority was granted $450,000 to:

  • reconstruct the existing terminal apron pavement
  • construct a new terminal apron
  • construct a parallel taxiway to help bring the airport into conformity with current standards

The County of Fauquier received $465,000 for projects at the Warrenton-Fauquier Airport to:

  • reconstruct runway lighting
  • end identifier lights systems, and precision approach path indicator systems
  • rehabilitate existing paved runway to maintain structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life

The largest grant awarded by the FAA to Virginia’s airports was $18.3 million to Ronald Reagan Washington Airport to reconstruct existing runways that have reached the end of their usable life.

For the entire list of grants for Virginia’s airports, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

WPS Innovation Center receives approval for flying drones

fiscal year 2021 budget

Winchester Public School’s Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for an FAA FRIA Zone behind the school to fly drones.

In this designated area behind the school located at 536 Jefferson Street in Winchester, students and community members can now fly their drones without required Remote ID Equipment.

While operating in these zones, both the drone and pilot must stay within the boundaries and the pilot must be able to see the drone for the entire duration of the flight.

Approval was granted by the FAA for four years, concluding in February 2030.

This will be the first FAA FRIA zone in Winchester.

Other locations in the Northern Shenandoah Valley include the recreational remote control flying club Plane Crazy R/Cers  off Sulphur Springs Road in Frederick County and Laurel Ridge Community College’s Middletown Campus which hosts their drone program.

For more information on FAA FRIA Zones, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Winchester Civil Air Patrol Cadet receives flight training scholarship

Civil Air Patrol Cadet Chief Master Sergeant Kobe Kerns of Winchester was selected to receive a $2,000 scholarship for glider flight training from the Skyline Soaring Education Foundation.

The scholarship will allow Kerns to receive instructional flights in a sailplane to work towards a solo flight.

His training will include both glider flight and ground training with the Skyline Soaring Club.

Kerns passion for aviation began when he was just four years old.

Since 2024, he completed his first solo flight in a civil air patrol aircraft at Winchester’s Regional Airport, was awarded the Ray Aviation Flight Training Scholarship, and recently completed his FAA written exam in anticipation of receiving his private pilot certificate this year.

Cadet Kerns said, “I am grateful to have been selected for this opportunity to advance my flying skills, which I feel will help me to become a better and more aware pilot.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Memorial honors victims of TWA flight 514 crash, 50 years later

Graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

On December 1, 2024, a solemn memorial was held to honor the victims of the tragic TWA Flight 514 crash, marking 50 years since the devastating event on December 1, 1974. Families of the 92 victims, along with first responders, gathered to pay tribute to the lives lost and to reflect on the lasting impact of the tragedy.

A granite memorial bearing the names of all 92 victims was unveiled at the Bluemont Community Center, positioned at the base of the flagpole, serving as a permanent reminder of the lives cut short that day.

The crash occurred as the flight was descending for a diverted landing at Dulles International Airport. The impact, caused by a combination of contributing factors, took place near the border of Clarke and Loudoun Counties, close to Mt. Weather.

In the wake of the disaster, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented significant safety reforms aimed at preventing similar incidents, making the tragedy a pivotal moment in aviation history.

This year’s memorial not only honored those who perished but also highlighted the enduring legacy of the safety advancements prompted by the accident.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

FAA and JCSO investigate a laser point at aircraft

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Patch used by permission of Lt. Robert Sell of the JCSO

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Officials and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) report the investigation of  a laser being pointed at an aircraft.

This is an extremely dangerous practice which can result in a civil penalty of up to $11,000 per violation.

The action of pointing lasers at aircraft can blind the pilot as it fills the cockpit with dangerous light.

The incident under investigation occurred in the area between Old Leetown Pike and North Childs Road in Jefferson County October 6.

Anyone with any information on this incident is encouraged to contact the JCSO at 304-725-8484.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Winchester Regional Airport awarded $5.2 million

The Winchester Regional Airport was awarded a $5.2 million grant by the Federal Aviation Administration for the relocation and design services of a new taxiway.

These projects will help the airport comply with the FAA’s airport design criteria and enhance safety margins for aircraft operating in poor weather conditions.

The federal grant supports 90% of the total project cost with an additional 8% from state grant’s through the Virginia Department of Aviation and the remaining 2% is covered by local funding.

Winchester Regional Airport qualified for funding through the Airport Improvement Program because of its inclusion in the National Plan of Integrated Airport System which supports the growth and development of public-use airports.

Winchester Regional Airport Authority Chairman Bill Pifer said, “Our airport is an essential transportation system with significant economic and societal impact. We are grateful to our local, state, and federal partners for funding improvements necessary to fulfill our mission to meet the aviation needs of the region.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VSP investigate a fatal plane crash in Culpeper County

VSP official patch and logo used by permission by Information Officer Brent Coffey

Virginia State Police (VSP) report by email the investigation of  a fatal plane crash May 17 in Culpeper County.

The small, private aircraft went down in the 13000 block of Spillman Road near Brandy Station in Culpeper County.

The crash occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m.

A news release from Virginia State Police Sgt. Brent Coffey did not identify the pilot, who was the sole occupant and died at the scene.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were notified, and the crash remains under investigation.

Further details are expected at the end of the investigation.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Local airports receive federal funds for improvements

Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced the allocation of over $44 million in federal funding for Virginia’s airports.

The funds were made available through the Federal Aviation Administration’s 2023 Airport Improvement Program and will support airport infrastructure projects such as runways, taxiways, airport signage, airport lighting, and airport markings.

Some of those funds will be distributed to airports in the Shenandoah Valley including the Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport and the Front Royal-Warren County Airport as well as nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

The Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport received the second most funds of Virginia airports, with $7.5 million to be used towards runway rehabilitation.

Front Royal- Warren County Airport was allocated $325,000 to conduct an airport related environmental assessment.

The $7.3 million dispersed to Reagan will be used to reconstruct a runway and rehabilitate runway lighting.

These funds are in addition to the $4.2 million awarded to Virginia’s airports last month and $29.4 million earlier this year through the bipartisan infrastructure law.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

LFCC offers drone programs for females

luray-page county center

An email from Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC) to become Laurel Ridge Community College Public Relations Coordinator Sally Voth there is new programming to encourage women to become drone pilots.

The programs will launch with webinars, summer camps and a drone day starting Mon. Mar.21.

There are also 10 scholarships available for women to enroll in drone course at the school this fall.

Today only about 7 percent of certified drone pilots are women according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

LFCC hopes to help boost those numbers by offering these new programs and classes.

To find out more click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

LFCC launches a drone operation course

luray-page county center

Lord Fairfax Community College to become Laurel Ridge Community College announced in an email from Public Relations Coordinator Sally Voth the launch of a drone program.

The course will include classes on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved commercial operations and exam preparation.

Additional course instruction will include maintenance, mission planning, hands on flying and more.

The course will train students to become professionals in a growing industry.

Registration opens March 28 with more information available at lfcc.edu/drones.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.