 New, Free Curriculum and Training Will Help Kentucky High School Students and Young Adults Land Aviation Careers
As the global demand for air travel continues to grow, the need for aircraft pilots is on the rise. Last year, Kentucky landed a $500,000 Aircraft Pilot Workforce Development Grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create a curriculum that will prepare high school students and young adults for professional careers in the aviation industry, including classroom and work-based learning opportunities.
Visit the AOPA website to learn how to implement the curriculum in your school.
 Aviation/Aerospace Day at the State Capitol
Aviation and Aerospace Day was held at the State Capitol in Frankfort, Kentucky, on February 29th. This was an excellent opportunity for aviation professionals to connect, network, and talk with political leaders about goals for their aviation community.
 Photo courtesy of the Ballon Society of Kentucky Facebook Page.
Gustave Edward "Ed" LaFontaine, Jr.
Ed LaFontaine passed away in February at the age of 101. His rich aviation career is impressive…his achievements are notable.
He served as a US Navy patrol-bomber pilot during World War II, and with those Navy “Wings of Gold” he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with eight stars, the Presidential Unit Commendation, and other campaign ribbons and awards. After the war, he continued to serve our country in the Naval Air Reserve for 26 years. In civilian life, Ed served as Director of Aeronautics for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where he was awarded the FAA’s Silver Certificate during his 36-year career. Ed owned and flew one of the original RAVEN “Rally” balloons, complete with a single burner and “poly” basket. He was a regular fixture at regional balloon events, and for many years, he coordinated the annual Capitol Expo Balloon Race in Frankfort and the annual Derby-Day Tether on the Capitol Lawn. Ed was an exemplary member of America’s “Greatest Generation”…he served his country well during WWII and continued to distinguish himself as a leader and inspiration in the realm of aviation. His lighter-than-air career features prominently in the ballooning display recently assembled by BSOK members at the Aviation Museum of Kentucky in Lexington.
Jerry Copas, historian
The Balloon Society of Kentucky
 Danville-Boyle County Airport Quarterly Newsletter
Look at the winter 2024 edition of Flight Plan DVK and subscribe if you want to stay up to date with airport news and events.
Follow DVK's Facebook page for more news and updates on the airport!
 Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport February Newsletter
The Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport team is pleased to announce its first quarterly newsletter.
Follow the Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport's Facebook page for more news and updates on the airport!
 KDA Aviation Photo of the Month Contest - March
Submit an aviation image with a chance for your photo to be the cover photo on our KDA social media pages.
Image description
Home airport
Only one submission per person.
We are looking forward to seeing all the great photos!
Deadline: March 31, 2024
 Women in Aviation Week 2024
When: March 4th-10th
Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week (WOAW) is a global aviation awareness week for girls of all ages observed to mark the anniversary of the world’s first female pilot license (March 8, 1910). The week is a call to address gender imbalance in the air and space industry.
 Madisonville Regional Airport Airfield Lighting Upgrade
The Madisonville Regional Airport's (2I0) new airfield lighting upgrade features new LED lights along the runway and taxiway. This will be a major safety upgrade for the airport, making the runway more visible at night and in poor weather conditions!
The project is being supported by local, state, and federal funding.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Aviation webpage for more information.
 Bardstown-Samuels Field Airport New Community & T-Hangars
The Bardstown-Samuels Field Airport (BRY) is building new T-Hangars and a 100'-100' box hangar for the airport in 2024!
The project is being supported by local, state, and federal funding.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Aviation webpage for more information.
 New Flight School Hangar for the Madisonville Community College Aviation Program at Muhlenberg County Airport
The Madisonville Community College Aviation Program is building a new flight school hangar at Muhlenberg County Airport (M21) in Greenville, KY. The hangar will provide additional space for storage of the aviation program's aircraft and ground school lessons for students.
The project is being supported by local, state, and federal funding.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Aviation webpage for more information.
 Addington Field New Terminal Building
A new terminal building is on the horizon at Addington Field (EKX) in Elizabethtown, KY.
The project is being supported by local, state, and federal funding.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Aviation webpage for more information.
 Bowling Green-Warren County Airport Runway Rehabilitation
Runway 03/21 is being rehabilitated at Bowling Green-Warren County Regional Airport (BWG).
Supported by local, state, and federal funding.
Visit the Kentucky Department of Aviation webpage for more information.
 EAA 1525 Pancake Breakfast
When: March 2nd, 8:00 am - 10:30 am (local time)
Where: Morehead-Rowan Regional Airport (SYM)
Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 1525, will host its monthly pancake breakfast at the Morehead-Rowan County Clyde A Thomas Regional Airport. This event is held on the 1st Saturday of each month, 8:00- 10:30 AM, serving pancakes with sausage and eggs. The price is $5.00 per person, and the proceeds will support EAA flight programs for those interested in aviation, including Eagle Flights and Young Eagles programs. Airport - KSYM
 2024 Balloon Society of Kentucky Safety Seminar
When: March 2nd, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm ET
Where: The Stratton Center - 215 Washington Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065
 Flight Sim Sunday
When: March 3rd
Where: Aviation Museum of Kentucky (Blue Grass Airport-LEX)
FAA Safety Team Presents: The 2024 Inspection Authorization Seminar
When: March 14th, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Where: Jefferson Community & Technical College Aviation Maintenance Technology School - Louisville, KY
If you intend on using the seminar as basis for IA renewal, you must attend all 8 hours. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the day. Retain the certificate and include it with your IA Renewal Application for the 2025 IA Renewal year.
RSVP via email.
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 EAA Chapter 807 Fly-In / Drive-In
When: March 16th, 8:30 am - 10:00 am CT
Where: Mayfield-Graves County Airport (M25)
Join us this Saturday (3/16/24) at the Mayfield Graves County Airport (M25-Mayfield, KY) for our monthly 3rd Saturday Fly-In/Drive-In Breakfast.
 Flight Instructor & DPE Seminar
When: March 21st, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Where: Louisville Flight Standards District Office (10200 Forest Green Boulevard Louisville, KY 40223)
Topics will include: Runway Incursion Prevention, Avoiding the Trap of Illegal Charter, Recent Changes to the Regulations, the Practical Test Process, Checkride Showstoppers, other Local Issues, and CFI Best Practices. There will also be time for open discussion with Examiners and FAA Inspectors, so be sure to bring your questions! Breakfast Snacks! Fresh Popcorn! Valuable $$ Door Prizes
For more information, or to reserve a seat, contact Ron Shipley at Ronald.e.shipley@faa.gov or (502) 498-1636, or register at FAASafety.gov. Seating space is limited; pre-registration is requested but not required.
 2024 DreamFlight Charities Golf Scramble
When: April 11th, at 9 am ET
Where: Bright Leaf Golf Resort (Harrodsburg, Kentucky)
Register your team for the 2024 DFC Golf Scramble, hosted by Bright Leaf Golf Resort. Located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. You and your teammates are invited to a challenging round of golf, all while supporting future aviators.
 Beech Bash in the Bluegrass
When: April 25th-28th
Where: Madisonville Regional Airport (2I0)
Attend a fly-in like no other; one that you will never forget! This perfectly central location has a wonderful facility boasting a 6051ft paved and well-lit runway with great approaches. Late April is typically known to have beautiful weather in Western Kentucky conducive to outdoor activities. Come to this event with the expectation of having a great time and enjoying the company of fellow Beechcraft and Bonanza owners. Additionally, we will have some of the biggest names in general aviation sharing their knowledge with our group. Listen to our amazing guest speakers!
Wings & Wheels
When: April 27th, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Where: Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport (0I8)
If you have a car, truck, motorcycle, semi, racecar, helicopter, airplane, tractor, etc., and want to show it off, this event is for you.
Families, mark your calendars to go to the airport on April 27th to enjoy the day with us. This event is entirely free for all.
 
Run the Runway 5k!
When: June 22nd, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Where: Danville-Boyle County Airport / Stuart Powell Field (DVK)
If you have a car, truck, motorcycle, semi, racecar, helicopter, airplane, tractor, etc., and want to show it off, this event is for you.
Families, mark your calendars to go to the airport on April 27th to enjoy the day with us. This event is entirely free for all.
We’re bringing the excitement back to the Danville-Boyle County Airport as part of their 90th Anniversary!
We’ll once again shut down the runways of Stuart Powell Field, giving you a unique course that is sure to help you set your best time yet. Expect plenty of static displays along the route, featuring the best of Kentucky’s aviation community.
 One of our missions at the Kentucky Department of Aviation is to cultivate a passion for aviation and aerospace through innovative education initiatives, such as appearances at schools in our community. We are committed to teaching and inspiring the next generation of aviators, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts by supporting engaging and comprehensive educational programs.
Would you like a representative from the Department of Aviation to visit your school for a career fair or classroom appearance? Email us today!
 WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program
The objective of the WINGS Program is to address the primary accident causal factors that continue to plague the general aviation community. By focusing on this objective, we hope to reduce the number of accidents we see each year for the same causes. As you will see, it is not a simple “Award” program but is instead a true proficiency program, designed to help improve our skills and knowledge as pilots.
More aviation education opportunities..
Kentucky Aviation Education
Flight Training in Kentucky
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