The announcement of a new five-year capacity purchase agreement with United Airlines last February shed some much-needed sunshine on the vitality of Air Wisconsin, the largest privately held regional airline in the United States. We look forward to partnering with the United Express family in the coming months with the many new opportunities this partnership creates for our organization. Our airline has a long and storied history and has flown an amazing variety of aircraft over the years—more than a dozen different types, starting with a single de Havilland Dove in 1965. We’ve flown across almost the whole continental United States during that time, from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic coast.

Today, we celebrate Labor Day throughout the U.S. and Canada. Traditionally, the Canadian Labour Day was established as an occasion to campaign for and celebrate workers’ rights during parades and picnics organized by trade unions. In the U.S., Labor Day was first established by trade unionists to celebrate labor, and now this federal holiday continues to honor the numerous contributions workers have made to the country.  

When you donate to the Pilots for Pilots (P4P) Fund, you’re helping your fellow ALPA members and their families. As part of this summer’s 717 Club donation campaign, ALPA reached out to seven of the pilots who have received grants from P4P in the recent past to share their stories. Click here to donate today and make sure the next pilot who needs help gets it. Remember, we’re all just a disaster away from needing P4P.

Today is National Aviation Day, a national U.S. observation on the anniversary of Orville Wright’s birthday to celebrate the development of aviation. The industry has come a long way since this day was originally commemorated by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, and even more so since Wilbur Wright’s first flight attempt in 1903. 

One thing is for sure: aviation will never stop advancing. By it’s very nature, this industry was intended to soar. 

When Hurricane Hermine landed last year, it pushed four to six inches of salt water throughout the home of Capt. John Valine (Delta). “The damage was devastating,” he said. “Every possession we owned that was within five inches of the floor was now damaged by salt water.”