Governor Otter: Community Airports "Play A Critical Role" In
The Lives Of Idaho Residents
Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter (pictured) has
declared September “General Aviation Appreciation
Month” in Idaho. The proclamation was issued September 1 in
the state capitol of Boise.
“The economic effect of general aviation in Idaho is over
$429 million,” the governor states in his official
proclamation, “and over 23,000 residents owe their jobs to
aviation in [this state].” The governor’s proclamation
notes that there are 119 public-use general aviation (GA) airports
in the state, 5,059 pilots and just over 4,000 aircraft. Of the 119
public-use airports, only six have scheduled airline service.
Idaho is also one of a handful of states without a major freeway
linking two large metropolitan areas, making business aircraft
trips over the mountainous terrain between Boise in the south and
Coeur d’Alene in the north especially important. Idaho hosts
46 charter flight companies, 28 FAA-certificated repair stations
and seven flight schools that operate 22 aircraft and provide 58
jobs. There are also 46 fixed base operators in the state.
“Governor Otter appreciates business aviation value in his
state, and we thank him for issuing this proclamation” said
National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed
Bolen. “Idaho is larger than all of New England, but has
fewer than 16 people per square mile. In addition to getting
between two major cities, the ability of business aircraft to reach
very small communities in isolated areas is critical for
Idahoans.”
In part because of the availability of business aircraft and
small public-use airports, Idaho’s non-farm employment rose
by almost 20 percent between 2000 and 2008.
In his proclamation, the governor notes that community airports
play “a critical role in the lives of our citizens, as well
as in the operation of our businesses and farms.” He also
cites the role of business airplanes and helicopters in responding
to emergencies and natural disasters in the mountainous state. The
governor’s proclamation includes most of the themes of the
"No Plane No Gain" advocacy campaign jointly sponsored by NBAA and
the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
With the proclamation, Idaho becomes the 33rd state to have
issued official notice of business flying. State proclamations
since 2010 have included Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri,
Minnesota, Montana, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota,
Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and
Wyoming.