The Trump Administration releases a budget blueprint or “skinny budget” for fiscal year 2018, providing high-level detail about the Administration’s proposals related to federal discretionary funding—30 percent of all federal spending. The budget proposal reduces overall Department of Transportation funding by 13 percent and includes language outlining support for creating an air traffic control corporation.  Additional details, including proposals related to mandatory spending and tax policy, will be released later in the spring.

Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor commemorates the 75th anniversary of the World War II Doolittle Raid with special presentations for youth and the general public by Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, author, educator and granddaughter of General Jimmy Doolittle, leader of the famed Doolittle (Tokyo) Raid that took place April 18, 1942.

National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) president and CEO, Ed Bolen, issues comments strongly opposing the Trump administration’s budget, which appears to endorse privatizing the nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system, noting that such a move could adversely affect countless small and mid-size communities across the U.S., among others, which rely on general aviation.

Aero Star Aviation, a Dallas-based MRO focusing on the maintenance and repair of Embraer aircraft, announces a recent investment in Embraer Phenom-specific tooling. The significant investment of over $125,000 further enhances Aero Star's range of service on Phenom aircraft. The tooling brings more services and capabilities in-house and equates to increased convenience and lower costs for operators, avoiding overall outsourcing needs.

C&L announces that Robert Brega has joined the company as regional sales manager. Brega will assist C&L’s corporate aviation customers with maintenance packages and schedules that fit their needs and budget.

Vector Aerospace (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, announces it has entered into an exclusive agreement with Field Air to provide Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6A engine services. Field Air, headquartered in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, is the primary Air Tractor dealership for Asia Pacific and one of Australia’s leading aerial application businesses.

Constant Aviation, offering full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul with a nationwide network, announces it will be holding a career fair on March 21, 2017, from 10:00am – 3:00pm, to fill various positions. Hosted at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Wichita Airport, representatives from Constant Aviation will be available for on-site meetings to interview aviation professionals interested in pursuing a career with Constant Aviation.

West Star Aviation announces Dana Varney as satellite manager at its KCXO location. As satellite manager for West Star's Houston, TX, satellite location, Varney will oversee AOG demands and provide local MX support for surrounding operators.

Vector Aerospace Corporation (www.vectoraerospace.com), a global independent provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, congratulates its talented engineer Katie Gray on winning a prestigious UK Technician of the Year award.

Concorde Battery Corporation announces it has received a 2016 Boeing Performance Excellence Award. The Boeing Company issues the award annually to recognize suppliers that have achieved superior performance. Concorde Battery Corporation maintained a Gold composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, from Oct. 2015 to Sept. 2016.