July In KY Is GA Appreciation Month

The NBAA on Thursday welcomed a proclamation recognizing the importance of general aviation, including business aviation, to the state of Kentucky and declaring July 2010 "General Aviation Appreciation Month."

The proclamation, issued by Governor Steven Beshear (D-KY), notes that "general aviation aircraft support a variety of services vital to Kentucky businesses and communities, including business mobility and economic opportunity, agricultural spraying, police and fire protection, access to medical treatment, disaster relief and a wide range of resources critical to those in isolated areas."

Those benefits, provided by business aviation, are highlighted by the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

"NBAA applauds Governor Beshear for honoring the essential role business aviation plays in the vitality of Kentucky's companies and communities," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "The industry employs thousands of Kentuckians, provides a crucial link to rural communities and contributes to disaster relief and response to medical emergencies."

In the proclamation, Beshear notes that 15 charter flight companies, 37 repair stations and five flight-instruction schools are based in Kentucky, and reports that general aviation, including business aviation, contributes $1.75 billion to the state's economy. Kentucky is home to 60 publicly owned airports, 112 private airstrips and more than 6,500 pilots. The proclamation states that many Kentucky communities rely heavily on their general aviation airports to attract commerce and tourism.

In issuing the proclamation, Kentucky joins the growing list of states publicly recognizing the value of business aviation, including Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Earlier this year, Kentucky's Hardin County, near Fort Knox, issued a similar proclamation, acknowledging that the "use of general aviation by businesses is an invaluable tool for companies in Hardin County" and the entire state of Kentucky.

FMI: http://governor.ky.gov