June 3, 2016
Five governors from coast to coast have proclaimed June 2016 as General Aviation Appreciation Month, recognizing the value that general aviation, including business aviation, brings to communities throughout their states. The latest announcements came from Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, South Dakota and Washington.
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said that according to the Delaware Airports Economic Impact Assessment, general aviation airports support more than $171.3 million of economic activity. There are nine public-use general aviation airports in the state, which serve 1,365 pilots and 1,885 active general aviation aircraft.
“Delaware State University is home of the DSU professional pilot program and Delaware Technical College has aviation programs across the state training future aviation maintenance technicians in both the airframe and power plant curriculums,” the proclamation states.
Read the full Delaware proclamation. (PDF)
“General aviation in Idaho contributes more than $1.1 billion to the state’s total economic activity,” Gob. C.L. “Butch” Otter said in his proclamation. Idaho has 117 public-use general aviation airports, serving more than 4,800 pilots.
“General aviation supports 7,900 jobs in Idaho, resulting in $342 million in labor income,” the proclamation states.
Read the full Idaho proclamation. (PDF)
Bruce Rauner, the governor of Illinois, wrote, “Illinois has a significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, educational institutions, aviation organizations, community airports and airport operators.”
According to the FAA, there are more than 14,000 general aviation pilots in the state, utilizing more than 5,600 aircraft. Illinois is home to 98 public-use airports.
Read the full Illinois proclamation. (PDF)
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard said, “The communities within South Dakota depend heavily on general aviation and community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourism and visitors to our state.
“General aviation contributes to the state’s economy, medical care, transports goods to Native American reservations, supports forest fire fighting and boosts economic development for small communities,” he added.
South Dakota is home to 70 public-use airports, serving more than 2,200 pilots.
Read the full South Dakota proclamation. (PDF)
“In Washington state, public-use airports support 248,500 jobs, $15.3 billion in wages and $50.9 billion in total economic activity,” Gov. Jay Inslee noted in his proclamation.
“General aviation and community airports play critical roles in the lives of Washingtonians, as well as the operation of businesses, industry, ranches and farms,” according to the proclamation. Washington is home to more than 18,000 pilots.
Inslee’s proclamation also acknowledged the important role aviation organizations, including the National Business Aviation Association, play in promoting the interests and importance of aviation in the state.