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Winners of the GAMA/Build A Plane 2017 Aviation Design Challenge – the team from Olney High School in Olney, TX – are building a Glasair Sportsman airplane at Glasair Aviation in Arlington, WA, working alongside the airplane’s owner Ken Baur and the staff at Glasair Aviation. The Aviation Design Challenge was launched in 2013 to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) knowledge among U.S. high school students through aviation – which also is a goal of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign.

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital economic driver for towns and cities across the county, and this month a dozen more local officials issued proclamations in recognition of the industry’s importance to their region’s companies and communities. To date, hundreds of local officials – from big cities and small towns from coast to coast – have issued similar proclamations.

When Dawn Veatch was named manager of Salisbury-Wicomico-Ocean City Regional Airport (SBY) in February, she immediately began the process of rebranding the facility, and the field is now known as SBY Regional Airport. “We wanted people to instantly recognize this as a regional airport,” Veatch said, adding the rebranding effort has led to an overall resurgence of interest in the airport from general aviation users, business leaders and the public.

June 13, 2017 The governors of seven states – Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming – issued proclamations this month about the value general aviation, including business aviation, brings to their states. To date, leaders in all 50 states have recognized the value of the industry. Colorado “General aviation and community airports […]

North Carolina’s Raleigh Executive Jetport (TTA) plays an important, quantifiable role in the economy: for example, a 2014 study found TTA provides more than $32 million in economic impact to the local community, and is responsible for more than 300 indirect and direct jobs. It is also home to Wings of Carolina, one of the largest flying clubs in the country, with more than 450 members.

A student team from Olney High School in Olney, TX has been named the 2017 winners of the Aviation Design Challenge, a partnership between the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and Build A Plane. Through the No Plane No Gain program, GAMA and the National Business Aviation Association have emphasized the importance of business aviation in providing high-skill careers, like those in focus as part of the challenge.

The No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign – and its #BizAvWorks component – were highlighted at the NBAA Local and Regional Groups Roundtable event in Chicago, which brought together dozens of business aviation industry leaders from the around the country to talk about issues impacting the industry.

Shaesta Waiz’s dream to fly solo around the world promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) education is becoming a reality as she began her journey on May 13, 2017, from Dayton Beach International Airport (DAB) on a trip that will take her to 30 stops in 18 countries over approximately 90 days. Known as Dreams Soar – the project involves not only Waiz but a team of student leaders, a board of directors, funding supporters and in-kind partners who are making the flight and campaign a reality.

Without general aviation, communities in rural areas of Maine would be shut off from supplies, necessities and services in the event of an emergency, Kevin Waters, owner and chief pilot of Penobscot Island Air, based at the Knox County Regional Airport, wrote for the Village Soup website. “Many lives in Penobscot Bay would be much more difficult without general aviation,” Waters wrote.

In May 2017, The governors of Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York recognized the value of general aviation, and the economic driver the industry is throughout the country. To date, leaders in all 50 states have issued proclamations about the importance of general aviation, including business aviation.