Governor Aims to Highlight Impact of General Flight on State Economy

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah announced that the month of may would be known as General Aviation Month in the state, highlighting the "rich history, significant contributions, and promising future of general aviation in our state and across the nation." 

The announcement carried a short timeline of the industry's place in Utah history, recounting the transition from fabric biplanes to metallic monoplanes, the Civilian Pilot Training Act dotting the land with hundreds of flight schools, the establishment of National Aviation day in 1939, and more as backing for the special month.

Governor Cox highlighted the particular impact of general aviation today, which sends out more than 200,000 aircraft on 26 million flight hours a year. The industry contributes almost $250 billion in economic impact, supporting 1.2 million jobs across the country, and works as a vital lifeline to far-flung parts of the nation. Today, more than 650,000 registered pilots make use of 5,100 public-use airports, or 14,000 privately owned airfiends - enough to give USA the crown of GA support over anyone on earth. Utah doesn't come out too far behind, either, with more than 1,200 registered GA planes, 11,500 pilots, and 170 airfields around the state.

General Aviation Month also recognizes the vast number of safety strides made in recent years, with today's accident rate falling to a record low of 0.73 fatal incidents per 100,000 flight hours.

FMI: www.utah.gov