Did You Know? |
The small airports that have supported the majority of business aircraft flights for earthquake relief in Haiti serve a similar, highly valuable, function for people and communities in crisis here in the U.S. The nation's network of small airports helps support business aviation flights for emergency response, organ and blood donation transport, helping patients reach medical centers for treatment, providing missions to reunite military veterans with their families, and a host of other essential services. To learn more about the many ways business aviation benefits companies of all sizes, all across the U.S., visit: NoPlaneNoGain.org. |
|
| |
No Plane No Gain Report
Business aviation is vital to the national economic interest, generating over a million jobs, providing a lifeline to communities with little or no airline service, helping thousands of businesses of all sizes to be more productive and efficient, and providing emergency and humanitarian services to people in need.
This newsletter provides regular updates on the activities undertaken through No Plane No Gain, a comprehensive joint advocacy campaign by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) to highlight the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the country.
The following are among the campaign's recent initiatives.
Visit the No Plane No Gain web site to see all recent news.
A Continuing Presence on Capitol Hill
Representatives from NBAA and the all-volunteer crisis-response group, Corporate Aircraft Responding in Emergencies (CARE), were in Washington, DC this week to meet with policymakers and opinion leaders on and off Capitol Hill to detail the business aviation community's outpouring of support for efforts to help those impacted by the January 12 earthquake that struck the island nation of Haiti. CARE volunteers attended a Capitol Hill luncheon featuring humanitarian GA organizations, and met with Members of the General Aviation Caucus and others. Visit NBAA's website for more. |
|
- The most recent edition of NBAA's Member publication, Business Aviation Insider, has a feature story outlining the impact of the industry's Haiti efforts. Estimates are that 700 business aircraft flights were conducted, delivering more than 3,500 passengers and hundreds of thousands of pounds of food, medical supplies and other cargo to Haiti. Review the article.
Media Outreach Continues
Arkansas recently became the latest state to proclaim the value of all aviation, including business aviation, to the state, and local news organizations took notice. |
|
- As one example, Batesville ABC affiliate KAIT-TV Channel 8 interviewed local officials and businesspeople; Airport Manager Mary Amos reports: "Probably 90 percent of the airplanes that come in are corporate jets of different types," with companies flying employees into Batesville to meet colleagues, customers and more. "I really think if this airport wasn't here, Batesville would really be hurting," Amos adds, noting that the airport generates around $2 million for the local economy each year.
To view the story on the No Plane No Gain web site.
- Industry publications have also reported on Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe's recognition of business aviation. General Aviation News recently had the story, quoting NBAA's Ed Bolen, who noted:
"Thousands of jobs and businesses in Arkansas and across the country depend on business aviation, making it a critical economic driver for our nation. That is why this proclamation is so important. Thank you to Governor Beebe for all your support for general aviation." Aero News recently ran a similar story.
- As No Plane No Gain supporters know, Arkansas officials have previously championed business aviation's role in the state's economy. At an event hosted by GAMA in August of last year, several elected officials promoted the job creation and other benefits business aviation brings to the state. GAMA's Pete Bunce was joined by Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Governor Mike Beebe (D-AR) in applauding the 3,500 manufacturing jobs and $1 billion the industry contributes to the statewide economy. Bunce highlighted the work of the No Plane No Gain initiative to promote the value of business aviation. More information about the event is included in an archived No Plane No Gain report.
Grassroots Initiatives Emphasize Industry Value
While NBAA and GAMA continue to deliver the No Plane No Gain message in Washington, local groups have been emphasizing the campaign's themes in states across the country. A grassroots battle in Washington State has provided the most recent example, as local business aviation interests are working to defeat a proposed hike on aircraft registration taxes of up to 1,400-percent. As the legislature continues to postpone a vote on the measure, it's clear that grassroots leaders' message about the economic benefit that business aviation generates is playing a role in legislators' consideration of the proposal. "The coalition of stakeholders has emphasized the negative impact the proposal could have on local businesses, jobs and economic activity in the state," reports NBAA's Northwest Regional Representative, Kristi Ivey, who has made the same points in legislative committee hearings to debate the bill. Read a web article on the latest. |
|
|
|
|
No Plane No Gain is a joint undertaking of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). NBAA can be reached at info@nbaa.org,
by phone at (202) 783-9000, or by mail at 1200 18th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036.
GAMA can be reached at bforan@gama.aero, by phone at (202) 393-1500, or by mail at
1400 K Street NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20005.
|
