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The vast majority of general aviation aircraft used for business worldwide are manufactured, operated, serviced and maintained in the United States. Even the minority of those planes manufactured outside the U.S. are often "completed," adding avionics, electronics, automation systems, engines, paint, interiors and other aircraft components manufactured here in the U.S. Business aircraft manufacture is one of the remaining sources of good manufacturing jobs in this country - the kind of jobs we can keep in the U.S. in the 21st century. It is also one of the few industries still contributing to the nation's positive balance of trade. To learn more about the many ways business aviation benefits companies of all sizes, all across the U.S., visit: NoPlaneNoGain.org.

Standing on the steps of the state capitol in Nashville, TN, governor Phil Bredesen this week announced April as General Aviation Appreciation Month in the Volunteer State. Pointing specifically to business aviation, the proclamation issued by the governor reads: ".The use of general aviation by businesses and Tennesseans are directly tied to the future growth and prosperity of the state." Speaking to a news outlet, Bredesen noted: "Aviation has been a vital and active part of Tennessee's economy since the early 1900's." The governor is an active pilot with instrument and multiengine ratings. Accompanying Bredesen as he signed the proclamation was NBAA Director of Legislative Affairs Dick Doubrava and several top officials of Tennessee state government. Read the proclamation in its entirety.

As No Plane No Gain supporters know, the advocacy campaign seeks to educate policy leaders about the value of business aviation. So, the recent decision by governors in several states to issue proclamations recognizing the value of general aviation, including business aviation, comes as welcome news to the industry. The proclamation issued in Tennessee last week comes on the heels of similar signals of support for business aviation from governors in Alaska, Georgia, Kansas, Vermont, and West Virginia

A recent CNN story looks at how the recession and misperceptions about business aviation have devastated business airplane manufacturer Cessna, and also highlights how the resilient company has responded to the crisis and taken steps to emerge as the economy recovers. "The company lost half of its orders, half of its jobs - six thousand in Wichita alone," the CNN story reports, noting that Cessna has used the down-time "to reconsider many manufacturing methods...looking for new ideas, new savings, new efficiencies..." in order to "protect jobs on the ground and planes in the sky." Cessna Aircraft Company CEO Jack Pelton, who serves on the Board of Directors for both NBAA and GAMA, tells CNN: "We said let's go re-examine how we build airplanes and how we can become better at it." View the segment in its entirety.

When Rep. Sam Graves (R-6-MO) hosted a recent town hall meeting as part of Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, FL, GAMA and NBAA representatives were on hand to promote the value of business aviation to the nation's economy and transportation system. GAMA's Pete Bunce and NBAA's Lisa Piccione discussed the industry's role in supporting jobs, service to small towns and productivity for companies of all sizes. Also participating in the forum was Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association President Craig Fuller. Graves, a pilot and business aviation supporter, provided an interview to NBAA in for Business Aviation Insider, NBAA's Member publication last year. The story is located online on the NBAA website.