Monday, August 24, 2009

Mayor Roger Van Horn on the Importance of General Aviation in Texas

In a recent Op-Ed in the Waco Tribune, Alliance member Mayor Roger Van Horn of Nacogdoches,TX details the critical impact general aviation has on his state. In the Op-Ed, Mayor Van Horn states:
"Small aircraft, also referred to as general aviation, are a vital driver of Texas’ economy, providing jobs to nearly 62,000 Texans in sectors ranging from manufacturing to equipment maintenance and construction. General aviation accounts for $8.7 billion in economic output in our state alone and sustains an astonishing 29,700 jobs, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Statewide, more than 250 airports that utilize general aviation and 4.5 million general aviation flights originate in Texas each year."
But the impact of general aviation does not stop at Texas. The general aviation industry supports 1.2 million jobs and $150 billion in economic impact. As Mayor Van Horn states, "These aircraft and businesses serve as the lifeblood to small towns and local economies around the state, and we need to be doing everything possible to support this vital form of transportation."

Read Mayor Van Horn's column here.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Alliance for Aviation Across America Commends Passage of H.Res 508 Honoring the Economic Impact of General Aviation

Washington D.C. – Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.Res.508, which recognizes general aviation’s contribution to the economy and encourages a strong aviation industry in the United States. The resolution was introduced on June 4, 2009 by U.S. Representative Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1), and includes co-sponsors Representative Allen Boyd (FL-2), Representative Vernon Ehlers (MI-3), Representative Peter Hoekstra (MI-2), Representative Brad Sherman (CA-27), and Representative Victor Snyder (AR-2). In response to the passage of this resolution, the Alliance for Aviation Across America released the following statement:

“We applaud these members for their strong support of general aviation. This important form of transportation sustains 1.2 million jobs and over $150 billion in economic impact to communities across the country, and also provides a vital lifeline for towns and communities that do not have commercial airline service. These airports and aircraft are particularly essential to rural communities, providing economic growth and opportunity, as well as access to critical resources, disaster relief, and medical care. We look forward to working with Congress to protect this crucial lifeline to rural America.”

The Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA) is a diverse coalition of over 4,300 aviation enthusiasts and professionals, local airports, civic organizations representing rural and agriculture voices, city, county and state officials, economic development entities, non-profit organizations, small and mid-size businesses and others dedicated to protecting small and rural communities.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Alliance for Aviation Across America Applauds House of Representatives for Passing Mica Amendment to TSA Authorization Bill

For Immediate Release

Washington D.C. – The Alliance for Aviation Across America today released the following statement in response to the passage of the Mica Amendment to the Transportation Security Administration Authorization bill, H.R. 2200. The amendment was offered by Reps. John Mica (R-7-FL), Sam Graves (R-6-MO), Vernon Ehlers (R-3-MI) and Tom Petri (R-6-WI) during House floor debate today:

“We applaud the House of Representatives for adopting this important measure. Our members have worked closely with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other agencies to help develop security measures to protect our country and ensure the safety of our transportation system. This amendment will allow the TSA to respond to imminent threats while providing the flexibility to develop effective policies and a public review process. We look forward to continuing to work with the TSA and Congress to ensure that we are protecting our nation against security threats.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA) is a diverse coalition of over 4,300 aviation enthusiasts and professionals, local airports, civic organizations representing rural and agriculture voices, city, county and state officials, economic development entities, non-profit organizations, small and mid-size businesses and others dedicated to protecting small and rural communities.

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Friday, May 22, 2009

Alliance for Aviation Across America Applauds House of Representatives for Passing a Comprehensive FAA Reauthorization Bill

For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – Today, the Alliance for Aviation Across America released the following statement in response to passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization legislation by the U.S. House of Representatives:

“The Alliance for Aviation Across America applauds the House of Representatives for passing an FAA Reauthorization bill. This legislation would provide crucially needed funding for the modernization of our air traffic control system while building on the current, efficient fuel tax system. We look forward to working with the Senate to pass an FAA Reauthorization bill that provides the necessary funding for modernization and helps to protect general aviation which is a lifeline to thousands of small towns and rural communities across the country that do not have commercial airline service. Particularly during these tough economic times, we need to protect this important industry, which supports over 1.2 million jobs.”

The Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA) is a diverse coalition of over 4,300 aviation enthusiasts and professionals, local airports, civic organizations representing rural and agriculture voices, city, county and state officials, economic development entities, non-profit organizations, small and mid-size businesses and others dedicated to protecting small and rural communities.

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Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Alliance Members Support Newly Formed Congressional General Aviation Caucus

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2009

In a letter to Representatives Allen Boyd (D-FL) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) today, Alliance members commended House Members for founding the Congressional General Aviation Caucus.

The letter, co-signed by leadership from National Agricultural Aviation Association, National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, National Farmers Union, and Intertribal Agriculture Council, lauded the Members of Congress for joining forces with their colleagues to promote the critical role general aviation plays in serving citizens and communities in every state.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America is proud to join the chorus of those across America who have shown their support for the new caucus, and is eager to work to spread the word about the important role general aviation plays in our local economies and our national transportation system.

A PDF of the letter is available on our website: www.aviationacrossamerica.org

The Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA) is a diverse coalition of aviation enthusiasts and professionals, local airports, civic organizations representing rural and agriculture voices, city, county and state officials, economic development entities, non-profit organizations, small and mid-size businesses and others dedicated to protecting small and rural communities.

The Alliance for Aviation Across America is dedicated to properly modernizing America's air traffic control system to enhance safety, promote efficiency and expand capacity in order to ensure ALL Americans have access to air transportation.

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Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Mayors From Across the Country Stand Up For GA

Earlier today, four mayors from across the country held a press teleconference discussing the critical importance of general aviation to their communities and to the entire nation. Mayor Carl Brewer (Wichita, KS), Mayor Steve Van Oort (Ankeny, IA), Mayor Fred Bott (Devils Lake, ND), and Mayor Rick Fernau (Show Low, AZ) are among the 70 mayors who signed a letter addressed to President Obama who stated “ready access to these airplanes provides a crucial lifeline to rural America, connecting farmers, charitable groups, and individuals with resources, tools and business to national and world markets.”

The mayors called on President Obama to “Use [his] bully pulpit to help change the toxic perceptions about general aviation and its contribution to the American economy.”

Read the letter and the Alliance press release on our website: www.aviationacrossamerica.org

Monday, April 20, 2009

8th Annual Aviation Summit and Showcase: Carrying Business Toward the Future

The 8th Annual Aviation Summit and Showcase: Carrying Business Toward the Future will take place on on April 29th at the U.S. Chamber of commerce. If you are an Alliance member in the Washington, DC area, you are encouraged to attend!

The annual Summit features the newest ideas and challenges in the industry, discussed and debated by key experts and top speakers. The newly launched Aviation Showcase features the latest innovations and technologies from the commercial, cargo, business, military, and space aviation industries.

For updated information about the event, click here.

Confirmed speakers include The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation; Wolfgang Mayrhuber Chief Executive Officer, Deutsche Lufthansa AG; and Fred Smith Founder, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, FedEx.

All Alliance members in the Washington, DC area are encouraged to attend this exciting event! It will be informative, fun and interesting.