News

GAMA’s “Top 10 Reasons to Work in General Aviation” video is part of a workforce development series aimed at shifting perspectives of general aviation manufacturing careers.

An article published by Business Travel Executive demonstrates how business aviation helps companies operate more efficiently, saves time and money and increase employee productivity. “Our customers know they are buying time and success,” said Greg Raiff, CEO of Private Jet Services Group. “Business aviation is a gateway to efficiency and productivity that flows straight to the bottom line.”

An article published by Magellan Jets demonstrates the critical need for business aircraft, citing NBAA statistics on employee productivity. “’While executives are productive 30 percent of the time while on a commercial carrier, they are found to be productive about 80 percent of the time they are traveling on a company aircraft.”

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has updated an economic impact report, which found that aviation contributed more than $3.8 billion to the state’s economy.

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in August, the governors of New Jersey and South Carolina and mayors of cities in Kentucky and Virginia officially recognized the industry for the important role it plays. Every state, in addition to hundreds of communities throughout the United States, have highlighted general aviation over the years for its contributions to the success of companies and citizens around the country.

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.”