Host Of Governors, House, Senate Leaders Understand Industry's Value

The NBAA on Friday pointed to three key metrics – one half, one quarter and one third – which the organization says demonstrate that national and state policymakers understand and want to highlight the value of business aviation.

Specifically, noted NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, as of this month, one half of the states in the U.S. had issued proclamations recognizing the value of all general aviation, including business aviation; one quarter of lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives belong to that chamber’s GA Caucus; and one third of all U.S. Senators belong to the Senate GA Caucus.

"One half, one quarter and one third – these numbers are solid proof that lawmakers all over the country understand and appreciate what business aviation means for them and their constituents," Bolen said.

Referring to support expressed for the industry in states from coast to coast, Bolen noted that a recent proclamation issued by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D), designating June 2011 as General Aviation (GA) Appreciation Month, made Illinois the 25th state to recognize the value of business flying. In the time since the Illinois proclamation was issued, four more states have issued similar decrees, bringing the total to 29.

In addition to the Illinois proclamation, similar decrees have been issued in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

Significantly, the state declarations have echoed the central themes from the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign – jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association – in pointing out that business aviation helps support more than a million jobs, provides a lifeline to communities across the U.S., promotes business productivity and efficiency and helps people and communities in times of crisis.

Equally important to the support for business aviation shown in state capitals, Bolen said, is the Congressional support for the industry expressed through large and growing memberships in Congressional GA Caucuses. In the time since the caucuses were formed to raise awareness of the value of general aviation to citizens, companies and communities, the House Caucus has grown to include 114 members, and ranks of the Senate Caucus have swelled to 35 members.

"The business aviation community has reason to be proud of the support the industry has deservedly received from all levels of government," Bolen said. "Business aviation plays an absolutely essential role in our nation's economy, which is why the importance of the industry transcends political, regional and other differences. I'm confident these numbers will continue to grow."

See a sampling of state proclamations issued to date, view a list of House and Senate GA Caucus Members, or visit the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign web site.

FMI: www.nbaa.org