August was recognized by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders as “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in Arkansas. General aviation is defined as any type of aviation other than commercial airlines and military aviation. Devin Osting, interim executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America, notes that there is real value to general aviation that’s seen every day in small communities like Morrilton…
“It really helps to support agriculture, it supports natural disaster relief efforts, it supports business operations, especially in small towns,” Osting said…
Throughout most of Arkansas, Osting adds that aviation can be especially beneficial to the agriculture industry…
“Arkansas is the leading rice producer,” Osting said. “Because of the way that rice is grown in wetlands it’s very hard to get ground equipment to treat crops, so aerial application – the crop dust aircraft – is really important for the rice industry, as well as the other crops…”
The 2036 Arkansas Statewide Airport System Plan Update found that general aviation in the state contributes over $467 million in economic impact annually, supports 5,100 jobs and provides a total payroll of over $167 million. According to the same study, the state has 82 publicly-owned airports that serve more than 6,500 pilots and nearly 3,000 registered aircrafts…
https://www.kvom.com/news-sports-headlines/august-is-general-aviation-appreciation-month-in-arkansas