May 22, 2018

General aviation, including business aviation, is a vital contributor to the economy in every state, and in May, the governors of Alaska, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey and New York 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.

Alaska

“The economic contribution of the aviation industry in Alaska generates over 47,000 jobs, $3.5 billion to the state economy annually, and 8 percent of Alaska’s gross state product,” Gov. Bill Walker wrote in his proclamation.

“Aviation is the primary statewide means of transportation for 82 percent of Alaska’s communities not connected to the contiguous road system,” he added. “Aviation provides rural residents a vital like for travel, tourism, emergency and medical services, mail delivery and shipment of goods.”

Alaska has more private planes per capita than any other state, and Alaskans fly more than eight times as often as resident of other states,

Maine

According to Gov. Paul LePage, “Our communities depend of general aviation to support Maine’s response to emergencies, natural disasters and rescue missions; as well as on our community airports for continued flow of commerce, tourists and visitors to our great state.”

General aviation in Maine supports more than 1,500 jobs and a payroll of $39.4 million annually. Additionally, the state is home to 15 repair stations, three FAA-approved pilot schools, 472 flight students and 380 flight instructors.

Nebraska

General aviation in Nebraska has a total economic output of $1.2 billion annually and supports 7,000 jobs according to a proclamation from Gov. Pete Ricketts. “General aviation and community airports play a vital role in the lives of our citizens, as well as in the operations of our businesses and farms,” he wrote.

Nebraska is home to 70 fixed-base operators, 13 repair stations and three FAA-approved pilot schools.

The following proclamations also were issued this month in Nebraska:

New Jersey

“General aviation provides a substantial economic benefit to New Jersey from the operation of the public use airport system and from the tourism and commerce it supports,” Gov. Phillip Murphy wrote in his proclamation.

New Jersey’s general aviation industry provides employment to approximately 18,000 New Jersey residents and serves more than 8,000 pilots.

New York

General aviation in New York contributes significantly to the economy of the state, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs for New Yorkers and generates billions of dollars in payroll tax revenue.

“Business aviation is a critical tool for companies in New York State to improve efficiency, save money and open up opportunities for rural areas not served by commercial aviation, thereby bringing new business, investment and jobs to all areas of the state,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo wrote in his proclamation.

New York leads the nation in promoting research and innovation in the implementation and testing of new aviation technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems to prepare their workforce of the future of aviation, the governor wrote.

The following proclamations also were issued this month in New York:

Other May proclamations: