As of April 2012, three-quarters of all U.S. states have officially proclaimed the value of all general aviation (GA), including business aviation, through official declarations by their governors or state legislatures.
The most recent proclamation, issued by Maine Governor Paul LePage, who declared April as GA Appreciation Month, was the 38th such declaration pronouncement highlighting the themes of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign. The campaign was launched in early 2009 as an initiative jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the U.S.
"We're delighted that our No Plane No Gain message has been getting through," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We thank Governor LePage in Maine and the governors and other top officials in the 37 other states that have officially recognized the industry's value in creating jobs, helping companies succeed and providing a lifeline to towns across the country.
The support from statehouses across the country has been reflected by groups of mayors and Congressional lawmakers. In the time since the No Plane No Gain program was launched, GA Caucuses have formed in the U.S. House and Senate, and today, one in three lawmakers in each chamber belongs to the Caucuses.
Additionally, earlier this year, a group of more than 100 mayors and city managers wrote to President Obama to express their support for the industry, and ask the White House not to target it with punitive taxes and fees.
The No Plane No Gain campaign highlights the essential role of business aviation in America, especially in a challenging economy. The industry supports 1.2 million jobs provides a transportation lifeline for cities with little or no airline service, helps companies be more productive and supports a host of humanitarian initiatives.
News coverage of the campaign's message, advertisements produced by the campaign, advocacy resources for industry, weekly reports on the campaign's progress and other information can be accessed on the No Plane No Gain website. Hopefully, Alabama will join 37 other states in officially recognizing GA industry's value in creating jobs, helping companies succeed and providing a lifeline to towns across the country. -FMI: NBAA