FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 15, 2015
Contacts:
National Aviation Organizations Commend Alaska Governor for Declaring September “Aviation Appreciation Month”
Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations applauded Alaska Governor Bill Walker for declaring September 2015 “Aviation Appreciation Month.” The Governor’s proclamation highlights the critical role of general aviation in Alaska, which has more of these aircraft per capita than any other state. Approximately 82% of communities are not served by roads, and citizens across the state depend on aircraft as a primary mode of transportation for travel, medical services, and shipments of goods.
“We thank Governor Walker for recognizing the critical role of general aviation in Alaska,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “This proclamation will help to spread the message that general aviation is vital to Alaska’s economy and way of life, supporting everything from trade to travel to medical care and connecting communities across the state.”
Mark Baker, president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) said, “Alaska’s vast size and rural population mean general aviation and local airports are crucial elements of the state’s infrastructure. Here, perhaps more than anywhere else in the country, citizens, business owners, and government agencies depend on GA to do their jobs and meet their basic needs. We thank the Governor for recognizing the importance of general aviation to his state and its people.”
“General aviation truly supports economic activity and allows companies to do business in Alaska, connecting communities with goods and services, and connecting companies with the world,” said Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank Governor Walker for recognizing the importance of general aviation to the businesses and communities throughout the state.”
“In Alaska, general aviation supports the economy and links people and communities. It’s also a passion for so many here,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We thank the Governor and hope that this proclamation will inspire even more interest in the freedom of flight.”
Greg Principato, President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) stated, “General aviation and local airports help support nearly every sector of Alaska’s economy. We thank Governor Walker and the Deputy Commissioner of Aviation, John Binder, for highlighting the importance of general aviation and local airports in the state.”
“General aviation connects businesses with the communities they serve across Alaska,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in Alaska thank Governor Walker for his support of general aviation.”
“Helicopters and general aviation aircraft are essential to almost every aspect of life in Alaska, from disaster relief to oil and gas exploration, and supporting local commerce, medical care, and emergency response,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We thank Governor Walker for recognizing the essential role of general aviation in providing services to our communities across the state and the country.”
Governor Walker’s proclamation is available
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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