The Importance of Reporting Wildlife Strikes in Aviation: A Call for Action
As aviation enthusiasts, professionals, and advocates, we all recognize the importance of safety in the skies. One of the most pressing safety concerns in the aviation industry is wildlife strikes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Wildlife Strike Database, which has recorded more than 291,600 wildlife strikes since 1990, paints a troubling picture of the […]
Inside the NMAN Steering Team Meeting: Expanding New Mexico’s Airstrip Network
This week, I had the privilege of attending the New Mexico Airstrip Network (NMAN) Steering Team meeting, where stakeholders from aviation, land management, tourism, and economic development came together to chart the future of backcountry and recreational airstrips across our state. In this post, I’ll walk you through our mission, key partners, major accomplishments […]
Kirtland Air Fiesta 2025
Get ready to rev your engines and lift your spirits—AviateNM is thrilled to invite you to the 2025 Kirtland Air Fiesta! Join me, Will Fitzpatrick, May 31–June 1 for two days of jaw-dropping aerial demos, world-class static displays, and unforgettable family fun at Kirtland Air Force Base. What’s on Tap U.S. Army Golden Knights […]
Sunport to reopen 8/26
I’m thrilled to share that after more than seven months offline, Runway 08/26 at the Albuquerque International Sunport is about to roar back to life! Since its closure on October 17, 2024, for much-needed runway and lighting repairs and other maintenance, crews have been working around the clock to upgrade and modernize the Sunport’s primary […]
Thought for a few seconds: Balloons!
As the sun’s first rays paint the Sandia Mountains in golden hues, there’s no better seat in the world than a wicker basket drifting above Albuquerque’s high desert. I’m Will Fitzpatrick, host of AviateNM, and today I’m thrilled to introduce you to our incredible sponsor: StrangeKind Ballooning—where adventure, freedom, and storytelling take flight. A Flight […]
NMPA Virtual Back Country Clinic
Register HERE About this event This is an abbreviated version of the live ground school that accompanies the fall two-day “Back Country Flying in New Mexico” clinic. This presentation focuses on appropriate equipment, necessary planning, and techniques for safe operation to unimproved back country airstrips Date and Time Monday, May 19, 2025, 7:00 PM until […]
Intro
Welcome to Aviate New Mexico’s First Blog Post! Hey there, fellow aviators, backcountry thrill-seekers, and desert-sky dreamers! I’m Will Fitzpatrick, your aviation safety junkie, back-country advocate, and the guy who still gets butterflies every time I taxi onto the runway. Today marks the launch of the AviateNM blog—our corner of the internet where we’ll dive […]