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The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has opened registration for the 2020 Aviation Design Challenge, an annual competition GAMA hosts to promote STEM+ education in U.S. high schools through aviation curriculum and a virtual fly-off.

The benefits of business aviation were highlighted in a post on Stratos Charter Jets’ blog, which shares the industry’s many positive contributions to companies and communities around the country. The industry “Creates over a million jobs in manufacturing and airport services,” the blog post notes.

Arkansas’ 82 general aviation airports are responsible for 5,200 jobs and an economic contribution of more than $450 million.

GAMA recently launched its video series about careers in the general aviation manufacturing and maintenance industry. “Too often people think of a job in the manufacturing industry as entailing repetitive work requiring little skill with minimal opportunity for professional growth,” said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. “We hope that giving the public a behind-the-scenes look at our member companies and watching talented and enthusiastic industry professionals share their stories will shift people’s perception and inspire them to consider a career in our dynamic industry.”

AirCARE1 provides long-range air medical transportation throughout the U.S. and around the world using two Lear 35As, a Lear 36A and a Lear 60, allowing patients to receive care near their home, seek specialty care or recover from an illness or injury at home. “Imagine being away from home and suffering a major illness or injury,” said founder Denise Waye, RN. “The ability to return to the U.S. for treatment and recovery, to be able to heal at home – it’s huge.”

Cutter Aviation Albuquerque’s Co-Pilot program has provided pediatric patients with stuffed animals to accompany them on their travels. The program partners with air ambulance crews and Angel Flight. “A lot of time kids being transported for medical care don’t have time to pick up personal items, so they don’t have anything familiar to them like their blankies or dolls. This program gives them something that is ‘theirs’ in an unfamiliar and scary situation,” said Jessi Rowden, general manager for Cutter Aviation Albuquerque.

The many positive aspects of general aviation – including business aviation – were highlighted this week at a briefing hosted by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and Marc Veasey (D-33-TX), co-chairs of the House GA Caucus. Graves and Veasey both noted the industry’s importance, and hoped the briefing would help congressional staffers gain a better understanding of the industry’s impact on American companies and communities.

July 10, 2019 Hundreds of mayors around the country have, to date, issued proclamations about the importance of general aviation, including business aviation, to their communities. This month, nine mayors released statements about the industry’s value. Kentucky Two Kentucky mayors issued proclamations this month, noting: “General aviation in Kentucky contributes over $1.6 billion to the […]

A business aircraft has been painted in bright, rainbow colors to for Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants wishes to seriously ill children. The Lear Jet model 35 aircraft is named the Dream Chaser 5 and it took children from Make-A-Wish on flights over their town. “Many of our employees volunteered their own time to make this project possible,” said Lynn Krogh, CEO of International Jet Aviation, the company that donated the aircraft.

A new resource published by the No Plane No Gain campaign combines real-world examples of the indisputable value that business aircraft offer to companies of all sizes with proven data points demonstrating how business aviation helps save time, increase productivity and provide value. “The bottom line is that business aviation is a vital tool for companies of all sizes,” the resource states.