FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 17, 2014
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
Dan Hubbard (NBAA): (202) 783-9360
Steve Hedges (AOPA): (301) 695-2159
Dick Knapinski (EAA): (920) 426-6523
Chris Dancy (HAI): (703) 683-4646
Rebecca Mulholland (NATA): (703) 845-9000
Kim Stevens (NASAO): (703) 417-1884
National Aviation Organizations Commend Kentucky Governor for Declaring July ‘Aviation Appreciation Month’
Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations applauded Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear for declaring July 2014 “Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Kentucky, general aviation accounts for more than $1.7 billion in economic activity annually.
“We thank Governor Beshear for recognizing the importance of general aviation and our network of local airports in the state of Kentucky,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation is an important economic driver that supports thousands of jobs and local services.”
“General aviation and local airports help thousands of people in communities across Kentucky stay connected to markets and vital resources,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We appreciate Governor Beshear’s recognition of the significance and benefits of general aviation for the people of Kentucky and across the country.”
“Business aviation helps companies in Kentucky operate in an increasingly competitive environment, and reach far-off customers, suppliers and markets,” explained Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor Beshear for his proclamation and look forward to working with him to support business aviation.”
“General aviation is a lifeline to both large and small communities in Kentucky and across our nation,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We commend the Governor for his proclamation, which recognizes the benefits of general aviation and helps to spur interest in and excitement for aviation as a whole.
Kim Stevens, interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) noted, “Kentucky’s network of airports helps to connect the state’s companies, farms, and communities with necessary goods, services and businesses. We thank Governor Beshear and Department of Aviation Commissioner Winn Turney for their hard work in emphasizing the benefits of aviation, including general aviation, in Kentucky.”
“General aviation and local airports are vital resources for local communities,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in Kentucky applaud Governor Beshear’s recognition of general aviation as an important resource to the state’s competitiveness and growth.”
“Helicopters and other general aviation aircraft play a vital role in supporting communities, assisting first responders and giving businesses a competitive edge,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We thank the Governor for his proclamation and support of this vital form of transportation.”
To view the Kentucky proclamation, click here.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 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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