Author Archives: Benjamin Swiatek

When business and aviation leaders gather March 1 in Washington, DC for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 17th Annual Aviation Summit, the message that business aviation provides jobs and serves as an economic driver will be front and center. In this year’s program, a No Plane No Gain ad will tout the many positive aspects of the industry.

Feb. 22, 2018 At the General Aviation Manufacturers Association’s (GAMA’s) annual State of the Industry event, the group focused not only on shipment and billing numbers, but also on how the industry gives back to those in need. “If you look at 2017 and look back at the natural disasters we had out there and […]

Recent development projects at Lee’s Summit Municipal Airport (LXT) in Missouri took nearly 20 years to complete, and with a new runway extension and acquisition of a hangar complex, the airport is now positioned to attract more business aviation operations.

A partnership between Atlantic County, NJ and Atlantic Cape Community College has been finalized to develop training programs for aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul technicians to boost employment in a region that is facing economic challenges. “The county has embarked on an aggressive effort to diversify the local economy, and aviation was identified as one of several strategic industries,” said Howard Kyle, Atlantic County’s chief of staff.

Four recent cancer survivors received a special thrill this month as they learned the basics of piloting an aircraft, courtesy of the 4th Annual Big Sky Kids Cancer Survivor Flight Camp, which is co-sponsored by NBAA member Summit Aviation, a full-service aircraft management, brokerage and general aviation flight training provider. “This flight camp puts the cancer survivor in a position that they have rarely ever been – in control,” said Ben Walton, president and founder of Summit Aviation.

In July, four mayors from across the country are highlighting the value general aviation, including business aviation, brings to their communities. To date, hundreds of local officials – from big cities and small towns from coast to coast – have issued similar proclamations.

Gary Coxe, entrepreneur, business and life strategist and author, uses his passion for aviation to benefit both his business and his community. “It [business aviation] is just so much more efficient than airline travel,” said Coxe. With business aviation, “I can take my staff with me to speaking arrangements and if an engagement runs late, we don’t miss our flight – we just leave later,” he said.