FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 27, 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 West Virginia Governor for Declaring October ‘General Aviation Appreciation Month’
Washington, DC— Today, national aviation organizations commended West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin for declaring October “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” In West Virginia, general aviation accounts for over $616 million in economic activity annually.
“We applaud Governor Tomblin for recognizing the crucial role of general aviation and local airports across the state of West Virginia,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation is an important resource that supports agriculture, public safety, disaster relief, tourism and businesses throughout the state.”
“West Virginia’s local airports are essential for connecting citizens with services and resources throughout the state,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We thank Governor Tomblin for highlighting the critical benefits that general aviation support in West Virginia and across our country as a whole.”
“Business aviation allows companies in West Virginia to operate more efficiently in the global marketplace, reach far-off markets and access multiple locations in one day,” explained Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “We thank the Governor for this important proclamation and look forward to working with him to raise awareness about this important form of transportation.”
“General aviation is a lifeline to communities and a vital part of our national infrastructure,” said Jack Pelton, Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We thank the Governor for his proclamation, and hope that it will help raise awareness about the importance of aviation to our country.”
Kim Stevens, interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) stated, “West Virginia’s local airports are fundamentally important to supporting agriculture, commerce and economic growth across the state and country. We thank Governor Tomblin and Aeronautics Commission Director Susan Chernenko for recognizing the numerous benefits of general aviation and our network of local airports.”
“General aviation and local airports help to boost business productivity and grow local economies by providing access to goods, services and distant markets,” stated Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association. “NATA and our member companies in West Virginia commend Governor Tomblin’s support of the general aviation businesses that keep our Nation moving.”
“Helicopters and other types of general aviation aircraft allow emergency and health care personnel to provide care quickly and to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible,” said Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI). “We thank Governor Tomblin for recognizing the importance of general aviation to communities around our nation.”
To view the West Virginia 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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