NBAA to Participate in Texas General Aviation Jobs Rally

March 20, 2014

The importance of general aviation to Texas and the national economy will be the focus of a rally at Dallas Love Field airport (DAL) on Friday, March 28, and NBAA’s Dick Doubrava, vice president, government affairs, is looking forward to being there to support the advocacy effort.

“We’ll be down there as part of the general aviation family, and on behalf of the strong business aviation presence in Texas,” said Doubrava, adding that NBAA has many members at Love Field.

The general aviation jobs rally, hosted by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), will be attended by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), as well as U.S. Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-30-TX), Sam Johnson (R-3-TX), Pete Sessions (R-32-TX) and Mark Veasey (D-33-TX) – all of whom will speak at the event. The rally is expected to attract hundreds of aviation enthusiasts and representatives from a number of local aviation manufacturing companies and businesses.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to showcase the importance of the industry, including the number of jobs that general aviation provides in the state, to Sen. Cornyn and other officials,” said Doubrava. He noted that general aviation provides more than 56,600 jobs in Texas, and contributes $14.6 billion in economic activity to the state. With more than 50,000 pilots, more than 2,000 civil-use landing facilities and more than 17,000 general aviation aircraft in the state, aviation is an integral and vital component of Texas’ economic and social structure.

“We at NBAA are delighted to participate in events that highlight the value and benefits of general and business aviation,” said Doubrava. “We hope that all the legislators will leave with greater knowledge and understanding of general aviation, which in turn often spurs a greater interest in the industry. They might also take away a greater sensitivity about the issues impacting the industry, which should help inform their decisions on major policy discussions affecting the aviation community.”

Doubrava, who works closely with U.S. legislators in Washington on behalf of business aviation, has participated in similar events in South Dakota, Alaska, Ohio and New Mexico that have highlighted the value and importance of general and business aviation to those states and the nation.