Local KCBAA News
KCBAA - Building a Foundation for a Professional Aviation Career
The Kansas City Business Aviation Association (KCBAA) is proud to share success stories from past Pilot Scholarship Award recipients. Rudy Daise, a 2025 Scholarship Award Winner, is one such example of how the scholarship has supported meaningful progress in an aviation career.
Rudy began flight training in the spring of 2024 at Kilo Charlie Aviation while attending college. There he earned his Private Pilot Certificate and Instrument Rating, balancing academic coursework with the demands of flight training and establishing a solid foundation for a professional path in aviation.
He continued his training at Aspire Aviation at Kansas City Downtown Airport, where he completed his Commercial Pilot Certificate and Certified Flight Instructor certificate while remaining enrolled in college. He then began building experience as a flight instructor and working toward the next milestones in his career.
A significant opportunity arrived when Rudy was selected for a KCBAA Aviation Scholarship. He applied the funding toward his Commercial Multi-Engine Rating—an important and costly qualification. The scholarship made this next step more attainable and strengthened his credentials as he continued gaining professional experience.
Later, through a connection made while working at a local fixed-base operator (FBO), Rudy began flying right seat in a King Air 350. Time in the King Air has provided valuable exposure to turbine aircraft, professional crew operations, and real-world flying beyond the training environment.
Throughout this period, Rudy has continued pursuing his college degree while instructing and building flight experience. The KCBAA scholarship played an important role by helping him secure a rating that opened additional doors. As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, the combination of training, education, and hands-on experience has positioned him well for the transition into the professional turbine environment.
The 2026 Scholarship application window has closed and the 2026 Award winners will be announced no later than October 1, 2026.
MKC Runway Updates
Beginning Monday, August 3rd at 0600L to Friday and continuing through September 11th at 1700L, Runway 1/19 will be closed to complete Phase 2 of the Taxiway B project. This 40 day closure is necessary to complete the connection of new Taxiway B between the runways and rehabilitation of Taxiway B on the east side of Runway 1/19.
Taxiway G will also be closed during this time, between Taxiway G1 and Taxiway H, and closed north of the KC Aviation Department’s Maintenance/Administration Building. Taxiway A and Taxiway K will remain open for crossing Runway 1-19. Please check NOTAMs for the most current information.
Taxiway B update - Almost two weeks in from the start of Phase 2 and things are moving along. All of the required demolition has been completed. New drainage and electrical work has begun with taxiway sub-base work to start on Monday. Runway 22 really enjoys the wide range of traffic that it is seeing during construction. Thank you to the Federal Aviation Administration control tower and all of the pilots operating safely on Runway 22.
Runway 4/22 will remain open for the duration of the project.
For assistance, pilots, schedulers, dispatchers, etc. can contact:
Rod DeWinkler, MKC Executive Manager: rod.dewinkler@kcmo.org (816) 859-7610
Dan Dietz, MKC Assistant Airport Manager: dan.dietz@kcmo.org (816) 859-7611
KCBAA 2026 Scholarship Information
The KCBAA 2026 Scholarship Application Window is now CLOSED!!
This fund was established for flight and maintenance students who are enrolled in aviation training in the 2026 calendar year.
There will be a minimum of four scholarships awarded in the range of $1,000 to $5,000 each.
Applicants were required to submit this application on or before July 31st, 2026. Scholarship winners are expected to be announced in September of 2026.
Applicants will now proceed to the application review phase which will be conducted by members of the KCBAA Scholarship Committees. Once this process is complete, applicants will be notified as to whether they will be selected to advance to the final round for selection.
