FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 21, 2013
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
Dan Hubbard (NBAA): (202) 783-9360
Steve Hedges (AOPA): (301) 695-2159
Chris Dancy (HAI): (703) 683-4646
Jim Coon (NATA): (703) 845-9000
Kim Stevens (NASAO): (703) 417-1884
National Aviation Organizations Commend South Carolina Governor for Declaring August 19-23 ‘South Carolina Aviation Week’
Washington, DC—National aviation organizations today commended South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley for proclaiming August 19-23, 2013 as “South Carolina Aviation Week.” Across South Carolina, general aviation supports over 5,000 jobs and generates $417 million in economic impact annually.
“By establishing ‘South Carolina Aviation Week,’ Governor Haley is helping to highlight the vast importance of this industry,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “Communities across South Carolina rely on aviation, and especially general aviation, to support commerce, public safety and a host of other crucially important services and resources.”
“The network of airports across South Carolina connects communities to essential services and resources that their businesses need to survive,” stated Craig L. Fuller, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners And Pilots Association (AOPA). “We appreciate the Governor’s proclamation, and look forward to working with him on this and other issues important to general aviation.”
“General aviation, including business aviation, helps attract businesses and support jobs in cities and towns across South Carolina,” noted Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “Governor Haley’s proclamation demonstrates her dedication to South Carolina’s economy and this important industry.”
“For communities throughout South Carolina, general aviation aircraft and community airports support local business, and serve as an important tool to first responders, farms and residents to access services and resources that would otherwise be unreachable,” reflected Henry Ogrodzinski, President of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). “We are grateful to Governor Haley for her support of this important industry, and I look forward to working with her and Paul Werts, Executive Director of the South Carolina Division of Aeronautics, in the future to further promote general aviation and its many benefits.”
“General aviation serves as a critical link to communities by supporting economic growth and access to tools, services and resources” said Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA). “NATA and its member companies appreciate the Governor’s proclamation and welcome her continued leadership and efforts in promoting the importance of general aviation in South Carolina and across the United States.”
“Governor Haley’s proclamation helps emphasize the vital role general aviation aircraft, particularly helicopters, play in guaranteeing local communities access to life-saving services,” mentioned Matt Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We are grateful for Governor Haley’s commitment to this critical lifeline.”
To view the proclamation, click here.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of over 6,100 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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