Jessica Reed is a writer and editor with AIN. She joined the team in the fall of 2023 after two years covering the aviation industry at Avionics International. She earned her bachelor&#039;s degree in English (Writing &amp; Rhetoric) from Pepperdine University. Her hometown is St. Louis, Missouri, and she since has resided in Santa Barbara, California, and Brooklyn, New York, among others. She is currently based in Philadelphia.

Writer & Editor

Jessica Reed

Last week, aviation associations honored the legacy of Robert Olislagers, a prominent airport leader and general aviation (GA) advocate, in recognition of his contributions to the aviation industry. Olislagers, who served as executive director of Centennial Airport (KAPA) in Colorado for more than two decades, left a lasting impact on both the airport and the broader community. He passed away on October 3 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Appointed as executive director of KAPA in 2000, Olislagers helped to secure the airport's growth by authoring and advocating for a bill that restored federal funding. This effort solidified KAPA's status as a critical hub for business aviation, fostering its reputation as one of the world's top GA airports. “Centennial Airport is widely recognized as one of the world’s best general aviation airports, and Robert Olislagers is a primary reason why,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.
APA's economic impact almost doubled during Olislagers’ tenure, contributing $2.1 billion to Colorado’s economy by 2018, according to the Colorado Division of Aeronautics Airport Economic Impact Report. Olislagers also chaired the American Association of Airport Executives' (AAAE) GA committee, founded an annual GA conference, and actively represented business aviation before Congress and federal agencies.
“Olislagers was named to the NATA board of directors in 2012 and was an active association member for many years, providing an innate perspective on the intricate connection between airports, tenants, pilots, and communities,” remarked NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna. “Robert was not only a valued mentor, but a true friend to many of us in aviation. He knew everything about the industry and was willing to share it all.”
Throughout his career, Olislagers received numerous accolades, including the AAAE Distinguished Service Award and the NBAA's prestigious Silk Scarf Award. His advocacy and leadership were further recognized with his induction into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in 2021.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Industry Honors Robert Olislagers’ Legacy as Centennial Airport Leader

Olislagers was executive director of Centennial Airport in Colorado for more than two decades

The industry honored the legacy of Robert Olislagers, a general aviation advocate who served as executive director of Centennial Airport for more than 20 years.

Industry Honors Robert Olislagers’ Legacy as GA Advocate

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

Partners say they are working on projects in Oman and the UAE

Lyte, Bluenest, and LynePorts Form Team To Develop Middle East Vertiports

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

UAS participates in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reimbursable Services Program at 30 airports

UAS Adds Five Airports to Its U.S. Customs Program

Matt Thurber

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

More helicopter operations and growth in the area prompted the expansion

Garland/DFW Heliport Expands with New Landing Pad

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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.

Handlers, aircraft operators, and airports have three years to comply with new rules in Europe

Ground Handlers Must Comply with New EASA Regulations

Amy Wilder

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

More In Airports

Lyte, Bluenest, and LynePorts Form Team To Develop Middle East Vertiports

Partners say they are working on projects in Oman and the UAE

UAS Adds Five Airports to Its U.S. Customs Program

UAS participates in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Reimbursable Services Program at 30 airports

Garland/DFW Heliport Expands with New Landing Pad

More helicopter operations and growth in the area prompted the expansion

Ground Handlers Must Comply with New EASA Regulations

Handlers, aircraft operators, and airports have three years to comply with new rules in Europe

Perth Airport Partners with Bechtel for Major Expansion

Expansion will include new parallel runway, hotel, and parking upgrades

Orlando Readies for Advanced Air Mobility Service in 2027

City officials and FBOs pave the way to build infrastructure for eVTOL operations

FBO Chains Working To Build Vertiports for eVTOL Ops

City-center eVTOL landing sites could be as small as one acre

Orlando Readies for Advanced Air Mobility Takeoff

eVTOL air service seen as a regional solution for Central Florida

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN