May 17, 2016

State, county and local officials from around the country continue to recognize the value that business aviation brings to their communities. To date, more than 300 mayors, town and county councils and other officials have issued proclamations, in addition to top officials from all 50 states who also have affirmed the worth of the industry.

In May, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts proclaimed “General Appreciation Month,” noting that “many communities in Nebraska depend heavily on general aviation and community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourism and visitors.”

Nebraska is home to 71 fixed-base operators, 12 repair stations and three FAA-approved pilot schools. The state has 80 public-use airports, serving nearly 3,500 Nebraska pilots and more than 2,000 general aviation aircraft.

“General aviation is vital to many businesses in Nebraska that use general aviation aircraft and local airports to increase productivity, reach far-off markets and to move personnel, equipment and products,” the proclamation states.

View the full Nebraska proclamation. (PDF)

Many local proclamations also were issued this month. They include:

  • Jack Smiley, mayor of Altus, OK, said the Altus/Quartz Mountain Regional Airport has an “immense economic impact” on his city. View the Altus proclamation. (PDF)
  • Corning, NY Mayor Richard Negri said his city has a “significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aircraft manufacturing, aviation educational institutions, aviation organizations and community airports.” View the Corning proclamation. (PDF)
  • Daniel Mandell, Jr., mayor of Elmira, NY, said general aviation airports in his state, including the Elmira/Corning Regional Airport, account for nearly 38,000 jobs in New York and more than $2.9 billion in labor income. View the Elmira proclamation. (PDF)
  • El Reno, OK Mayor Matt White said Oklahoma is home to more than 130 public-use airports, which service 7,500 pilots in Oklahoma. View the El Reno proclamation. (PDF)
  • Bill Shewey, mayor of Enid, OK, said, “General aviation not only supports Oklahoma’s economy, it improves overall quality of life.” View the Enid proclamation. (PDF)
  • Malden, MO Mayor Ray Santie said general aviation airports in Missouri, including the Malden Regional Airport, support an economic impact of more than $857 million annually. View the Malden proclamation. (PDF)
  • Jim Wood, mayor of Oceanside, CA, said the Oceanside Municipal Airport has a “significant economic impact” on his city and general aviation in California has an annual economic impact of more than $30.2 billion. View the Oceanside proclamation. (PDF)
  • Oneonta, NY Mayor Gary Herzig said his state is home to 118 repair stations, 11 FAA-approved pilot schools, 2,617 flight instructors and more than 4,100 student pilots. View the Oneonta proclamation. (PDF)
  • James Calnon, mayor of Plattsburgh, NY, noted, “The nation’s aviation infrastructure represents an important public benefit, and congressional oversight should be in place to ensure stable funding of the system.” View the Plattsburgh proclamation. (PDF)
  • Rochester, NY Mayor Lovely Warren proclaimed general aviation “a vital strategic resource” and said the Greater Rochester International Airport has a significant impact on her city. View the Rochester proclamation. (PDF)
  • Michael Lane, chair of the Tompkins County Legislature, said general aviation improves the quality of life for country residents “by supporting emergency medical and healthcare services, law enforcement, firefighting and disaster relief and by transporting business travelers to their destinations quickly and safety.” View the Tompkins County proclamation. (PDF)
  • Watertown, NY Mayor Joseph Butler, Jr. said Watertown International Airport is a vital resource to his city and the surrounding area. View the Watertown proclamation. (PDF)