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Business aviation contributes $150 billion to U.S. economic output, and employs more than 1.2 million people and contributing positively to the nation's balance of trade. America dominates business aviation manufacturing; even the handful of manufacturers outside the U.S. "complete" their aircraft in America, adding avionics, electronics, automation systems, engines, paint, interiors and other aircraft components manufactured in the U.S. To learn more about the many ways business aviation benefits companies of all sizes, all across the U.S., visit: NoPlaneNoGain.org.

Dozens of state aviation officials were the latest to hear from GAMA and NBAA about the value of business aviation to the nation's economy and transportation system. GAMA's Pete Bunce, and NBAA's Lisa Piccione, emphasized the importance of business aviation at an annual legislative Conference of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), held in Washington, DC on March 30. NASAO CEO Henry Ogrodzinski applauded Bunce and Piccione for participating in the event. State aviation directors, he noted, have been keenly aware of the ill effects that the recent bashing of business flying have had on their communities. "So when Pete and Lisa showed them the results of NBAA and GAMA's No Plane No Gain campaign, there was enthusiastic response," he said. Read a web article about the events.

Since its launch, the No Plane No Gain initiative has been focused not only on articulating business aviation value with decision-makers, but in helping shape public policies that foster the industry's growth. As such, NBAA and GAMA this week signed on to an industry letter to House and Senate leaders calling for renewal of an accelerated-depreciation policy for aircraft purchase that expired last month. Accelerated, or "bonus," depreciation is widely believed to encourage the purchase of a variety of manufactured goods, including new aircraft - leading to increases in aircraft manufacture, and the jobs that come with it. The letter, titled: "Support Bonus Depreciation to Support Economic Recovery and Create Jobs," that extension of the accelerated-depreciation policy is "sorely needed now to help spur sales and create jobs." View a copy of the letter.

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. NBAA Members recently joined members of the Missouri Pilots Association and Missouri Airport Managers Association to meet with lawmakers in Jefferson City for the fourth annual Missouri Aviation Day. More than 100 representatives from the general aviation community informed 75 lawmakers of the industry's benefits to the Show-Me State. Read the full story.

As No Plane No Gain supporters know, the business aviation community has shown an outpouring of support for humanitarian flights to help the victims of the January 12 earthquake that struck the island nation of Haiti. NBAA, GAMA and other organizations have been highlighting this story for news outlets, which have covered story in markets across the country. This week, two more industry initiatives chronicled the Haiti flights, many of which were coordinated through the all-volunteer group Corporate Aircraft Responding in Emergencies (CARE).

• The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has produced a video about CARE's work for its "AOPA Live" online video service. "The generosity of the aviation community in responding to this tragedy has been absolutely astounding," CARE volunteer Robin Eissler tells AOPA Live. View the video
• This month's edition of World Aircraft Sales Magazine includes a feature story on CARE's work to coordinate Haiti-relief missions. "The earthquake in Haiti produced a situation that was the fundamental case for business aviation," Eissler notes in the story. "It needed quick reaction, de-centralized response, and efficiency. Business aviation was the only entity that could do all three." Review a copy of the story.