Alliance For Aviation Across America Highlights Significant
Milestones At Its Four Year Anniversary
The Alliance for Aviation Across America held a conference call
for members of the media Tuesday with Senator Mark Begich (D-AK),
Mayor Carl Brewer of Wichita, KS, Henry Ogrodzinski,
President & CEO of the National Association of State Aviation
Officials, and Niel Ritchie, Executive Director of the League of
Rural Voters to highlight the significant progress that has been
made over the past four years to educate the public about general
aviation. Participants specifically highlighted the fact that over
half of the country – 29 states in total – have passed
proclamations recognizing the importance of aviation, most of them
specifically highlighting the value of general aviation. Recent
states that have passed proclamations for June include South
Carolina, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Illinois, and Florida.
This milestone also comes as the Alliance mar. the fourth
year since its founding in 2007.
“As co-founder of the Senate General Aviation Caucus, I am
extremely proud the caucus has grown to 34 members and acted to
increase awareness about the critical importance of general
aviation to our economy and our country,” said Senator Mark
Begich (D-AK). “With six times more pilots per capita than
the rest of the country, general aviation is the lifeblood of
Alaska and it’s fitting that Alaska was one of the first
states to pass a proclamation recognizing its importance. The
Alliance deserves recognition for their work to raise the profile
of general aviation and I look forward to working with my
colleagues in Congress to promote an industry which generates over
$150 billion in economic activity annually.”
“General aviation is such a crucial, yet often
under-recognized part of our economy, and I hope that we are
finally beginning to help our public to understand how important it
is for our nation,” stated Mayor Carl Brewer of Wichita, KS.
"As the Air Capital of the World, we in Wichita know well the
tremendous economic impact that general aviation has in our state
and across the country. General aviation drives thousands of jobs
and over $7 billion in economic impact here in Kansas alone, and
over $1.2 billion jobs annually.”
“It is extremely significant that over half of the states
in the country have passed proclamations highlighting the
importance of aviation," said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of
the Alliance for Aviation Across America. "We commend our partners
at the state and local level, as well as Members of Congress, for
such significant progress in raising awareness about immense value
of general aviation, particularly for small towns and rural
communities around the nation. We look forward to working with
aviation and non-aviation groups and individuals alike to raise
awareness about this crucial lifeline and economic generator for
our nation.”
The Alliance formed in early 2007 with just a couple hundred
members, and has since grown to over 5700 member organizations and
individuals, over 20% of whom are non-aviation groups and
individuals. Over the last two years, the Alliance has spearheaded
several initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the value of
general aviation, including a Mayor’s letter to President
Obama, and an economic impact survey which details the impact of
general aviation in all 50 states. In addition, the Alliance has
been working with many state and local officials to urge Governors
and local officials to pass proclamations and resolutions
highlighting the value of general aviation.
“General aviation is a literal lifeline to rural
communities around the nation for a host of important services and
resources, including medical care, law enforcement, and disaster
relief. We commend the states that have passed these proclamations,
and look forward to further progress in helping to raise awareness
the great importance of these airports and aircraft for rural
America and our country as a whole,” said Niel Ritchie,
President of the League of Rural Voters.
“SBEC is so pleased to be a board member of the Alliance
for Aviation Across America, and to support efforts to raise
awareness about the significant contribution that general aviation
represents for our national economy. General aviation not only is
an important industry for our economy, but these aircraft and
airports are crucial for businesses attracting and retaining
business as well,” concluded Karen Kerrigan, President and
CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC).