The Georgia Department of Transportation recognized the Baldwin County Regional Airport for Outstanding Promotions in Aviation July 30 from a group of 102 eligible airports.
The Airport Advisory Committee, chaired by Jim Wolfgang, worked tirelessly to promote the Baldwin County Regional Airport. Wolfgang’s vision was for the airport to host community-wide regional events promoting aviation, host activities targeted at promoting aviation in the K-12 environment, establish camps for high school students, establish a presence at Baldwin County High School, and conduct activities for underrepresented groups.
The Baldwin County School District hired Roberto Hornung Filho as its high school aviation teacher in 2021. Among the programs Filho started is the Georgia Pathway Program for drones. He and his students are frequent visitors at the airport.
Filho is also the varsity boy’s soccer coach, and the board of education has recognized his dedication to his career and his students. Filho also was awarded a Pursuit of Excellence Award in December 2024.
Kalina Milani, a retired Emirates Airlines pilot, who also has a master’s in Business Administration, learned to fly in her hometown of Recife, Brazil. She wishes she had an aviation mentor, so she aims to help women enter the aviation field.
Milani established the Experimental Aircraft Association chapter in Baldwin County in March 2023. The chapter currently meets every third Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the airport. The Baldwin EAA chapter now provides VMC Club, Young Eagles and Eagle Flights.
In addition to these activities, Bruce Hood, the airport’s fixed-based operator, supports aviation promotion by inviting schools to bring students to tour the airport and inform them of the Young Eagles efforts of the EAA chapter and Baldwin High School’s aviation program.
“The Baldwin County Board of Commissioners thanks all those who have given their time and talents to promote aviation in our community and who have made the Baldwin County Regional Airport an exemplary example to others in the state,” said County Manager Carlos Tobar.
— Contributed