FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 16, 2012
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
Dan Hubbard (NBAA): (202) 783-9360
Steve Hedges (AOPA): (202) 774-7725
Chris Dancy (HAI): (703) 683-4646
Eric Byer (NATA): (703) 845-9000
Bridgette Bailey (NASAO): (703) 417-1883
National Aviation Organizations Commend Texas Governor for Declaring November ‘Aviation Appreciation Month’
Washington, DC – National aviation organizations today commended Texas Governor Rick Perry for declaring November “Aviation Appreciation Month.” According to the Texas Department of Transportation, general aviation in Texas supports 61,900 jobs and $14.6 billion in economic activity annually. This proclamation is the third proclamation by the state recognizing the value of aviation to the state.
“We commend Governor Perry for underscoring the importance of general aviation for local communities across Texas,” stated Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation is an indispensable resource throughout Texas, assisting emergency medical responders, law enforcement, businesses of all sizes, farms and countless non-profit organizations.”
“With nearly 400 general aviation airports, which are utilized by more than 31,000 general aviation aircraft, GA is extremely important to the state of Texas,” said Craig L. Fuller, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association (AOPA). “ The state’s airports and pilots are vital to keeping communities connected, linking critical services and resources and supporting local commerce. We look forward to continuing our work with Governor Perry to further raise awareness of general aviation in communities across Texas and the country as a whole.”
“Business aviation supports economic opportunity and jobs for hard-working Americans throughout the state and our nation. In total, business aviation supports 1.2 million jobs and is responsible for $150 billion annually in economic activity. We commend this proclamation, which emphasizes the importance of all general aviation, including business aviation, to local communities and companies throughout our nation,” stated Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
“General aviation connects local towns and communities around the nation with critically needed resources and services,” stated National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) President Henry Ogrodzinski. “We thank Governor Perry and Aviation Division Director Dave Fulton for working to promote the importance of aviation in Texas.”
National Air Transportation Association President and CEO Tom Hendricks, stated “We appreciate the Governor’s efforts to highlight the immense economic impact that general aviation and local airports have on communities throughout Texas and the United States.”
“Helicopters are a particularly important part of general aviation and provide a crucial advantage to local operators, businesses and first responders as they help to support our local economy and carry out important public safety missions,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “Governor Perry’s proclamation is significant step in highlighting the tremendous economic and operational benefits of helicopters and general aviation.”
To view this proclamation, click here.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 5,800 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.
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