July 19, 2019
The many positive aspects of general aviation – including business aviation – were highlighted this week at a briefing hosted by U.S. Reps. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) and Marc Veasey (D-33-TX), co-chairs of the House GA Caucus.
“It may be a tiny single engine airplane, it may be an intercontinental jet, but there are literally tens of thousands of companies all over the United States, in every congressional district, that are using the speed and the efficiency and the ability to reach remote markets by relying on general aviation to meet some portion of their travel challenges,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen told congressional staffers at the caucus meeting.
“The general aviation industry supports $219 billion in economic output every year and 1.1 million jobs,” added Paul Feldman, vice president of government affairs for GAMA.
NBAA and GAMA jointly sponsor the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which educates policymakers and opinion leaders about the importance of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the U.S.
Additionally, Bolen highlighted the humanitarian efforts made by those in business aviation.
“Every day, vital organs are being put on general aviation aircraft in the United States,” he said. “Every day, our members are voluntarily flying cancer patients to treatment centers, reuniting combat veterans with their families and of course, responding in times of floods and hurricanes and earthquakes and wildfires.”
In addition to Bolen and Feldman, panelists included: Mark Baker, president and CEO, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association; Gary Dempsey, president, National Air Transportation Association; Doug Macnair, vice president of government relations, Experimental Aircraft Association and Cade Clark, vice president of government affairs, Helicopter Association International.
Graves and Veasey both noted the industry’s importance, and hoped the briefing would help staffers gain a better understanding of the industry’s impact on American companies and communities.
“What’s unique about [general aviation] is that it touches everybody’s distract,” said Veasey. “[General aviation] is something that truly touches everyone.”
Founded in 2009, the House GA Caucus promotes the importance and value of general aviation, including business aviation, and its vital role in the nation’s economy and transportation system. It also serves to educate all members of Congress and their staff about issues that are critical to the success, strength and growth of GA.