Kerry Lynch stepped into the role of editor of the&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;monthly magazine in May 2022 after serving with&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;for eight years. She joined&nbsp;AIN&nbsp;in December 2014 as a senior editor covering Washington and business aviation news. She has also served on Convention News teams, including as editor of&nbsp;HAI Convention News. Lynch previously spent 25 years with Aviation Week. During her time there, she reported for and later steered&nbsp;The Weekly of Business Aviation, oversaw business aviation content on the&nbsp;Aviation Week Intelligence Network, served on the&nbsp;Show News&nbsp;staff, and held roles as the Washington columnist for&nbsp;Business &amp; Commercial Aviation&nbsp;and&nbsp;Overhaul &amp; Maintenance&nbsp;monthly magazines. In 2021 she was honored with the National Business Aviation Association Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in journalism and was the 2004 recipient of the National Air Transportation Association’s Aviation Journalism Excellence Award. She also has been a recipient of an Aerospace Media Award for business aviation (2022) and NBAA Gold Wing Award (2003). Lynch graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor of arts in journalism.

Editor, AIN monthly magazine

Kerry Lynch

Facing the prospect of an expiring sales-and-use tax exemption on aircraft parts and maintenance in Virginia, national and regional aviation business and general aviation associations have begun to survey operators in the state to build data on the benefits of the policy. NBAA is working with the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association (GWBAA), AOPA, and the Virginia Aviation Business Association to measure the impact of the tax policy that took effect in 2018 but is set to expire in 2025.
This data will help the organizations better advocate for an extension, NBAA said, noting that a 2018 survey found that its members typically spent between $50,000 to $100,000 per event when they traveled outside of the commonwealth for major maintenance work.
The sales-and-use tax exemption on aircraft parts and maintenance that became effective on July 1, 2018, incentivized operators to remain in Virginia for that work, and even led to the expansion of some MRO facilities, NBAA said.
“Virginia has seen aircraft maintenance, and in particular aircraft avionics maintenance/repair facilities, open and expand in the state to support the growing industry. These facilities not only support aviation activities but also bring well-paying jobs to all parts of Virginia,” added Caleb Stitely, GWBAA president, in an NBAA article on the issue. “With the neighboring state of North Carolina already having this exemption, and Maryland recently extending their tax exemptions through 2030, we support and encourage the commonwealth of Virginia to follow suit.”
“We know from data produced by other states with similar sales-and-use tax exemptions on aircraft parts and maintenance that the exemptions attract aircraft owners and operators for major maintenance activities and even bring in new or expanded MRO facilities,” said Greg Voos, NBAA’s regional director for the Southeast region. “NBAA strongly encourages the Virginia legislature to extend and eventually make permanent this important economic driver to the state’s aviation industry.”
Operators in Virginia wishing to participate can reach out to Voos at <a href="mailto:gvoos@nbaa.org">gvoos@nbaa.org</a>.

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Business Aviation Groups Push for Maintenance Tax Exemption in Virginia

In place since 2018, a sales-and-use tax exemption on aircraft parts and maintenance in Virginia is set to expire in 2025

Business aviation and GA groups are gathering data so they can better advocate for an extension of a parts and maintenance tax exemption set to expire.

Bizav Groups Push for Mx Tax Exemption in Virginia

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News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

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News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

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