Proclamations come as thousands gather at AirVenture
July 27, 2016
With hundreds of thousands of aviators gathered in Oshkosh, WI this week for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s (EAA’s) AirVenture Oshkosh, the city’s Mayor Steve Cummings proclaimed July General Aviation Appreciation Month.
“General aviation not only supports Wisconsin’s economy, it improves overall quality of life by supporting emergency medical and healthcare services, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster relief, and by transporting business travelers to their destinations quickly and safety,” Cummings wrote.
Billed as the “World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration,” AirVenture takes place this year from July 25 to 31 at Wittman Regional Airport.
Overall, Wisconsin is home to 119 public-use airports, which serve 9,278 pilots and 4,485 active general aviation aircraft.
View the Oshkosh proclamation. (PDF)
Brookfield, WI Mayor Steven Ponto also recently issued a proclamation, and mentioned the value EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh brings to the state. View the Brookfield proclamation. (PDF)
Kentucky
As home to Capital City Airport, Frankfort, KY has a “significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation,” noted Mayor William May, in a proclamation. Kentucky is home to 53 public-use airports, serving more than 5,800 pilots. View the Frankfort proclamation. (PDF)
North Carolina
Asheville, NC Mayor Esther Manheimer said the Asheville Regional Airport has an economic impact of $555 million, supports 1,680 local jobs and more than $39 million in payroll income. Overall, airports have a $31 billion economic impact on the state of North Carolina. View the Asheville, NC proclamation. (PDF)
Kinston, NC Mayor BJ Murphy also issued a proclamation this month. View the Kinston proclamation. (PDF)
Tennessee
Centerville, TN Mayor Gary Jacobs and Jackson, TN Mayor Jerry Gist each issued proclamations in July that detailed the value general aviation, including business aviation, brings to their cities.
“Tennessee boasts a robust network of 79 public commercial and general aviation airports, serving more than 12,000 pilots and 4,000 general aviation aircraft,” they noted. “The nation’s aviation infrastructure represents an important public benefit, and congressional oversight should be in place to enable stable funding of the system.”
View the Centerville proclamation. (PDF)
View the Jackson proclamation. (PDF)
To date, hundreds of local officials, from every state, have issued proclamations in support of general aviation, including business aviation.