The value that General Aviation (GA) brings to your community, state and this nation is tremendous. Every community with a GA airport has an asset that brings significant value to the community and every citizen in that community. This is in part because, in the United States, over two-thirds of all the hours flown by General Aviation aircraft are for business purposes. That involves aircraft from a Cessna 150 to some of the largest business aircraft. GA-type aircraft and GA in general, are the primary training ground for most military, commercial airline, and corporate pilots.
In an article titled Business Aviation: A Survival Guide for the Next Four Years, by Jeremy Cox, published December 3, 2012, he said, “There is no one who works within this (aviation) industry that is not 100% sold on the distinct advantage that the use of a business aircraft provides”. …Corporate aircraft (sic) are business tools with varied uses. About 74 percent of corporate aircraft (sic) carry sales, technical and middle-management employees to more airports domestically, none of which have airline service.”
Cox added, “It is a fact that corporations that use business aircraft earn annual revenues equal to one-half of the $14.7 trillion economy of the United States while they employ more than 19 million people worldwide, thus making Business Aviation users the single largest economic driving force within this country.”
In a November 7, 2015 news article by Dustin Walsh, writing for crainsdetroit.com, he writes, “John Hatfield, aviation director for Midland (Michigan)-based Dow Corning Corp, said, “how executives spend their time is critical, and corporate aviation is one way to maximize those hours.” He continued, “Time is not a renewable resource; we’re all bound by the same 24 hours a day. What we do in that 24 hours makes a difference on how effectively we run our businesses, and corporate aircraft (sic) leverage and multiply that ability to be effective.”
Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), says that GA, “provides an economic and transportation lifeline for small and rural communities, helps companies be more efficient and productive, and serves as a key component in humanitarian efforts.”
Now you can see that when a pilot departs your airport in a Cessna 150 or a 172, or a light twin for instance, they may well be headed to another city where they will be conducting business. This meeting may not have been as easy or even possible without a GA aircraft. They use their aircraft to add to their efficiency and ultimately to their bottom line. That translates to more jobs (in your community) perhaps, but certainly means more dollar value brought to your community because of GA used for business.
Think about the value your airport brings to your town, because it provides opportunity for local businesses to use aviation to grow and prosper. Now go spread the message about the value of GA and your GA airport, to your community.