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Three aircraft are parked neatly inside the John Deere Global Aviation Services hangar in Moline, IL – a pair of Cessna Citation X business jets and a Gulfstream 550. And for Susan Potter, John Deere’s first female international captain, the view is still breathtaking. “Every time I walk into the hangar, I’m excited,” she said. “I used to fly for an airline and they do a great job, but we can get our passengers to places commercial aircraft might not be able to go, or to places that might take several days and several connections to get to. That saves us time and money.”

GAMA has opened registration for its 2019 Aviation Design Challenge, an annual competition the association hosts to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in U.S. high schools through aviation curriculum and a virtual fly-off. The role of business aviation in helping support more than 1 million jobs, including those in STEM fields, is a central tenant of the No Plane No Gain program.

Move over, Akron (OH) Fulton International Airport. Welcome, Akron Executive Airport (AKR). Thanks to the vision of a mayor, an encouraging task force study, an enlightened airport advisory board and supportive businesses and operators, Akron’s newly re-branded general aviation airport is being revitalized – to the benefit of the entire region. “I have witnessed, first-hand, that in most thriving cities the regional general aviation airport plays a critical role in fostering and supporting economic development activities,” said Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan.

Denver-based non-profit Wings Over the Rockies recently opened the Exploration of Flight campus at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, CO, aiming to provide inspiring and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. “Our mission is to educate and inspire all people about aviation and space endeavors past, present and future,” said Wings Over the Rockies President and CEO Maj. Gen. John L. Barry.

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in cities and towns across the country, and in August, the mayors of cities in South Carolina, Tennessee and Washington officially recognized the industry for the important role it plays. To date, hundreds of local officials from coast to coast have issues similar proclamations.

Shaesta Waiz, the youngest woman to circumnavigate the globe solo in a single-engine aircraft, will speak at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on Sept. 26 as part of the GE Aviation Lecture Series. Waiz will speak about global outreach to youth in underprivileged environments and in regions unsupportive of women – a program known as Dreams Soar. “Dreams Soar made a lasting impact to the next generation of STEM and aviation professions through the global flight,” she said. “I am excited to share my journey and its impact with this audience.”

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in August, the governors of Montana and South Carolina 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.

According to a recent study, approximately 532,000 visitors to South Carolina arrive each year on general aviation aircraft, which results in $527,888,320 of combined direct and indirect spending in the state. “For many years, aviation has been on the defensive, and many times, airport owners don’t fully understand the benefits and value of their local airport,” said James Stephens, executive director of the South Carolina Aeronautics Commission. “This report enables those who utilize and depend on the local airport to communicate that value within our own spheres of influence, and within the communities that own airports.”

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in July, the governor of Wisconsin officially recognized the industry for the important role it plays. The announcement coincides with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture, which is held annually in Oshkosh, WI, and known as “the world’s greatest aviation celebration.”

The team representing Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career and Technical Center in Cheektowaga, NY, was the winner of GAMA’s sixth annual Aviation Design Challenge. As their prize, GAMA recently sent four students from the team, and their teacher, on an all-expenses paid, two-week trip to help build a plane at Glasair Aviation in Arlington, WA. The No Plane No Gain program – jointly sponsored by NBAA and GAMA – educates policymakers and opinion leaders about the importance of these, and a host of other high-skill, high-income jobs created by business aviation.