FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 30, 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 Alaska Governor for Declaring September ‘General Aviation Appreciation Month’
Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations commended Alaska Governor Sean Parnell for declaring September “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In Alaska, general aviation accounts for more than $400 million in economic activity annually, and for 169 Alaska communities, air travel is the only means of getting in or out of the area due to lack of roads or ferry services.
“We thank Governor Parnell for recognizing the importance of general aviation and the network of local airports in Alaska,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation provides Alaska with vital resources and economic opportunity for communities across the state. No other state relies on general aviation like Alaska.”
“General aviation makes it possible for communities, even in the most remote parts of the state, to stay connected,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We applaud Governor Parnell’s proclamation recognizing the tremendous benefits that general aviation brings to Alaska and across the country.”
“Business aviation allows companies of all sizes to travel farther distances to reach customers, travel to multiple markets in one day, and compete in the global market,” explained Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor Parnell for acknowledging the importance of business aviation to his state, and we look forward to working with him.”
“General aviation is an important part of the Last Frontier State,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We appreciate the Governor’s acknowledgment of the benefits of general aviation, as we share EAA’s spirit of aviation with many Alaska aviators. We hope that this proclamation will raise awareness, especially among our next generation, about the importance aviation.”
Kim Stevens, interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) noted, “Alaska’s vast network of airports plays a critical role in the state’s overall transportation infrastructure, to a larger extent than any other state, and in some cases aviation represent the only link to communities. We applaud Governor Parnell and Deputy Commissioner of Aviation John Binder for their work in highlighting the benefits of general aviation in Alaska.”
“The aviation industry represents ten percent of Alaska’s jobs and is a critical link to communities throughout the state. Given Alaska’s geography, general aviation is essential for local communities and businesses to compete and grow,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in Alaska thank Governor Parnell for recognizing general aviation’s benefits to the welfare of businesses and communities across the state.”
“Helicopters and other general aviation aircraft are significant tools that support the efforts of our first responders, medical and healthcare services and businesses,” 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 Alaska 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.
####