Townes was the inaugural Chairman of “SC Aerospace” for several years, after serving on the Governor’s Aerospace Task Force. SC Aerospace is a statewide public/private partnership in South Carolina, which unites the aerospace growth and development objectives of industry, government, and academia. Townes will share the history behind South Carolina becoming one of the fastest growing states in the US aerospace industry and that the Southeast USA has become one of the fastest growing regional concentrations of aviation and aerospace companies in the entire world. As the inaugural Chairman of this industry group, involving hundreds of aerospace/aviation companies, several other aviation associations, the university and technical college systems, and several state government agencies, Steve contributes to the industry’s growth beyond just Ranger’s own aerospace enterprises. Townes was the first CEO voice to call for Aviation High Schools in South Carolina, and after two years of coordinated efforts, there are now six such high schools, each with a $50,000 Grant, curriculum materials and ongoing support.

This session will examine various ways that state aviation agencies are addressing workforce development challenges, such as attracting, developing, and retaining state aviation staff and supporting pipeline development at the high school and collegiate levels. With the ongoing staffing issues in nearly all aspects of aviation, attendees will learn what various techniques, tools, and programs have been successful in enhancing workforce development.

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 requires the FAA to use specifications for highway materials for pavements at non-primary airports serving aircraft less than 60,000 pounds when requested by the state. In 2019 the FAA contracted with the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) to evaluate the performance of previously constructed airport asphalt pavements built using highway specifications and compare that performance to those of asphalt pavements constructed using traditional FAA specifications. Information was collected and analyzed from 40 airport projects in five states. Come hear what was learned and what recommendations were made.

This is a two part session that will focus on (1) industry efforts to transitioning to lead-free aviation fuels and (2) how the FAA Weather Camera Program is improving aviation safety and expanding into CONUS. Join for two engaging presentations on key issues facing the aviation industry.

• Part 1 (9:30-10:00am): The EAGLE (Eliminate Aviation Gasoline Lead Emission) initiative is an industry-wide coalition committed to finding an unleaded solution that works for all aviators, manufacturers, suppliers, and regulators, and benefits the environment. This presentation will outline the many steps taken by the aviation industry to “get the lead out” and provide the latest update on transitioning to lead-free aviation fuels for all piston-engine aircraft by the end of 2030.
• Part 2 (10:00-10:30am): Learn how you can bring Weather Cameras to your state.  The FAA Weather Camera Program improves aviation safety in the NAS by reducing weather related accidents and flight interruptions, improving aviation flight decision making, and enhancing flight service operations. This presentation will explain how the FAA provides visual and textual weather data to pilots at airports, in route locations, and other areas of high risk where no other weather information is available, and informs on how you can work with the FAA to bring cameras to your state.

Daniel Belmont, Director of Market Development, SkyWest Airlines

Mariah Johnson, Air Service Development Program Manager, Aeronautics Division, Wyoming DOT

This session will examine hangar development opportunities at commercial and general aviation airports. Attendees will hear from airports on challenges and successes with hangar management and partnerships and how airports and state and local governments can attract private investment in general aviation hangars.

As we look to the future, how will cutting-edge aviation technologies increase operational efficiencies? This session will examine the use of UAS for GIS for airport inspections and pavement inspections, how to reduce costs with new pavements technologies, and how alternative methods of taxiing aircraft can reduce fuel use and emissions.