June 12, 2018

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in June, the governors of Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, South Dakota and Washington 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.

Colorado

“Colorado has a significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, educational institutions and aviation organizations and community airports and airport operators,” Gov. John Hickenlooper wrote in his proclamation.

Colorado is home to 74 airports, which serve 18,232 pilots and 6,883 general aviation aircraft. The state’s general aviation airports contribute $2.4 billion annually to the state’s economy.

Read the full Colorado proclamation. (PDF)

The following proclamations also were issued this month in Colorado:

Delaware

According to Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, “General aviation and community airports play a critical role in the lives of our citizens, as well as in the operations of our businesses and farms.”

General aviation airports support more than $411.8 million in economic activity in Delaware annually. There are 10 public-use general aviation airports in the state, which serve 1,345 pilots and 1,307 active general aviation aircraft and support more than 12,000 jobs. Delaware also is home to six repair stations and three FAA-approved flight schools.

Read the full Delaware proclamation. (PDF)

Idaho

General aviation in Idaho contributes more than $1.1 billion to the state’s economic output, according to a proclamation from Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter.

“Many Idaho communities depend heavily on general aviation and community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourism and visitors to our state,” he wrote. Idaho is home to 32 repair stations, seven FAA-approved pilot schools, 1,143 student pilots, 931 flight instructors and 53 heliports, as well as 49 fixed-base operators.

Read the full Idaho proclamation. (PDF)

South Dakota

“The state of South Dakota has a significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aerospace aircraft manufacturing, educational institutions, aviation organizations, community airports and airport operators,” Gov. Dennis Daugaard wrote in his proclamation.

The state is home to 71 public-use general aviation airports, serving 2,333 pilots and 2,030 general aviation aircraft. General aviation supports more than 7,000 jobs across the state and an annual income of $250 million.

Read the full South Dakota proclamation. (PDF)

The following proclamations also were issued this month in South Dakota:

Washington

“General aviation plays a vital role in our state’s response to emergencies and natural disasters, and many communities depend on it for the continued flow of commerce and tourists,” Gov. Jay Inslee wrote in his proclamation.

Public-use airports support 248,500 jobs, $15.3 billion in wages and $50.9 billion in total economic activity in Washington. The state is also home to 105 repair stations, 120 fixed-based operators and more than 40 charter flight companies.

Read the full Washington proclamation. (PDF)

The following proclamations also were issued this month in Washington: