The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announces the recipients of its Industry Excellence Awards, presented annually to individuals and organizations that demonstrate superior service to the aviation business community, particularly through their leadership skills and advancement of a safety-first culture. This year, the Association added two new honors acknowledging the contributions of FBO customer service representatives (CSRs) and rising aviation business leaders. Award recipients will be recognized during the June 18th Industry Excellence Awards Presentation Luncheon held in conjunction with the NATA 2019 Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference.

Duncan Aviation invests in its communities through the children of its team members by awarding 20 students the 2019 Karen K. Duncan Scholarship. For more than 20 years, Duncan Aviation has advanced the futures of students through the program.

Two thousand nineteen marks Blackhawk Modifications’ 20th year in business – a milestone the company is celebrating with a facility expansion that doubles its Waco, TX, hangar and office capacity. Blackhawk also announces the alignment of several mutually owned aviation-based companies under one umbrella that will be branded as Blackhawk Aerospace.

Duncan Aviation announces that Joe Cugnetti has joined the Aircraft Service Sales team as a Bombardier service sales representative. In this position, he will use his airframe technical experience and knowledge to help Bombardier operators plan and schedule maintenance for their aircraft. 

Kaeser Kompressoren is celebrating its centennial year! Established in 1919 as a machine workshop in Coburg, Germany, by Carl Kaeser, Sr., the company has grown into a leading compressor manufacturer and global compressed-air systems provider. Its reputation and success is built on a firm foundation of innovation, ingenuity, efficiency and reliability. 

Duncan Aviation announces that Jeff Schipper has accepted the position of manager of Modifications at the newest Duncan Aviation full-service facility, located in Provo, UT. Schipper will provide leadership for the Interior, Avionics Install and Avionics Line departments, and for the next several months, his primary focus will be on growing and strengthening the teams' capabilities and sizes and responding to the facility’s growing market needs. 

Duncan Aviation announces that Trevor Yuschyshyn has accepted the position of regional manager representative for Canada. A lifelong resident of Calgary, Alberta, Yuschyshyn brings more than 23 years of aviation experience and knowledge to his new role.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announces the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded the first air carrier certification to a drone delivery company — Wing Aviation.

Aircraft Specialties, Inc. announces that Gene Portela will now oversee the Purchasing and Marketing departments for the Omaha,NE-based company, in addition to his responsibilities as Director of Sales.

Aerospace Welding Minneapolis, Inc. (AWI) receives a PMA from the FAA to produce and sell new replacement exhaust stacks and mufflers for the popular Piper PA 28R-200/201/201T series. All of the components are constructed from 321 stainless-steel material. The welding is done by professional welders in the United States who have extensive experience in fabricating and welding stainless-steel parts for aircraft engines and mounts.