June 26, 2014
An increasing number of mayors and top local officials from around the country are confirming the value of general aviation (GA), including business aviation, in their communities, with an additional nine city leaders recently issuing General Aviation Appreciation Month proclamations.
The latest cities to acknowledge the value of GA are:
- Ainsworth, NE – Mayor Russ Moody
- Binghamton, NY – Mayor Richard C. David
- Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown
- Fairmont, NE – Board of Trustees Chairperson Donald A. Moses
- Grant, NE – Mayor Mike Wyatt
- Hollister, CA – Mayor Ignacio Velazquez
- Oakdale, CA – Mayor Pat Paul
- Patterson, LA – Mayor Rodney A. Grogan
- St. Augustine, FL – Mayor Joseph L. Boles, Jr.
These announcements bring to 71 the number of General Aviation Appreciation Month proclamations made by top city officials so far this year. In 2013, just 16 mayors issued such proclamations.
Most of the recent community proclamations mentioned the number of pilots and airports in the state, and the substantial annual economic impact of general aviation. Many of the recent proclamations noted the important public benefit of public aviation infrastructure for their region and called on Congress to ensure stable funding for the system.
All 50 state governors or other top state officials have issued similar proclamations since the 2009 launch of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.