Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport

The latest exhibit in the Airport's art program will showcase over a dozen hand painted panels from various American aircraft of World War II.  Also on display will be actual artifacts of the era, including the instrument display panel of a P51-mustang, as well as a handmade foot locker from a sailor in the Pacific. Each panel on display tells a story of the young airmen's love of country and rebellious American spirit. Many of the items are signed by the pilots and crew who flew them over Europe and the Pacific Islands. The most famous of these on display are the Flying Tigers Squadron and the Black Sheep Squadron, whose exploits later inspired a hit television show. New art work will be added throughout the terminal over the next few weeks.

The hand painting of "nose art" is an art form that was almost lost over the ages, and is a specialty of one local author/artist, Gary Velasco. Originally a Connecticut native, who now calls Central Virginia home, Gary's ability to recreate the vintage form of folk art makes him sought after by television shows and aviation celebrities alike. You can find his work in WWII movies and at the front gate of many military installations. His attention to detail and skill of recreating aircraft pieces to spec as well as his amazing skill of hand painting in the traditional style has etched his place in folk art history. The exhibit will be on display from Memorial Day until August 20th.

Find out more about Gary Velasco and his work at www.fightingcolors.com

US Airways just commenced service to/from Oslo, Norway effective May 21, 2009.  The once daily arrival/departure to/from US Airway's Philadelphia hub is one of 23 trans-Atlantic destinations offered by US Airways this summer, and is just one-stop from CHO.  One-stop service to Tel Aviv via Philadelphia on US Airays begins in just 5 short weeks.  Earlier this month, one-stop service from CHO to Birmingham, UK began from Philadelpia as well. http://www.usairways.com

TSA issued a press release last week notifying the public that effective May 15, 2009 new identification requirements will be in place. Passengers are required to enter their full name - as it appears on the government issued identification they will be traveling with - when making airline reservations.  TSA states that in the near future, small discrepancies - e.g. use of a middle initial (or not) - will be allowed.  In the meantime, check your id BEFORE you purchase!  Airlines are not likely to offer refunds if a passenger makes a mistake and is not allowed to complete the screening process.

This program results from a 911 Commission recommendation that TSA assume responsibility from the airlines for checking passengers against the "no fly list".  A second phase will be implemented effective August 15, 2009, which will require a passenger to enter date of birth and gender when making reservations or purchasing tickets.

For more information, see TSA's web page at http://www.tsa.gov.   

It seems that the word is getting out. Over the last few days, except for the Northwest paint, the departing Delta flights from CHO to Detroit look more like those that leave for the super hub in Atlanta twice a day. Although official counts won't be released until the end of the month, airport employees are seeing a difference. Airport law enforcement officers have noticed increased amounts of passengers and awaiting friends & family in the terminal during the Detroit arrival times. Airline employees have expressed excitement over the extra seats as the increased availability helps the oversold situation that the 2 popular daily outgoing flights to Atlanta sometimes create. With the recent Northwest / Delta merger, Detroit is fast becoming another strong global connection. The success of commercial air service in smaller communities depends on the amount of customers that choose to fly out of their local airport. For that to even be an option, small airports need to be convenient, competitive in pricing and have good connections. Delta's decision to upgrade aircraft at CHO in the midst of fleet reductions is a good sign of its role in an ever changing air transportation industry, not to mention it reduces that flight by 30 minutes!