Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has declared the week of July 28 through Aug. 3 “Aviation Week.” The proclamation coincides with the week of EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh. In Wisconsin, general aviation accounts for $694 million annually in economic activity statewide.
“This week every year, 500,000 people of all ages, from all over the world, come to Oshkosh to experience the spirit of aviation firsthand at the world’s greatest aviation celebration,” said Jack Pelton, chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). “We appreciate Governor Walker’s proclamation of ‘Aviation Week’ during the week of AirVenture, which highlights not only this event, but the great enthusiasm for flying and the importance of the general aviation industry and local airports for communities across the state that EAA calls home.”
“We thank Governor Walker for recognizing the importance of general aviation and our network of local airports in the state of Wisconsin,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “General aviation is an important economic engine that supports thousands of jobs and local services, and we are thrilled that the Governor has recognized the importance of this industry during such an important occasion.”
“General aviation and local airports help thousands of people and hundreds of communities across Wisconsin stay connected to markets and vital resources,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “We appreciate Governor Walker’s recognition of the value and benefits of general aviation to Wisconsinites and people across the country.”
Kim Stevens, Interim President and CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) noted, “Wisconsin’s network of airports helps to connect the state’s communities, companies, ranches, dairies, and farms to necessary goods, services, supplies and customers. We thank Governor Walker and Bureau of Aeronautics Director David Greene for their work in emphasizing the benefits of aviation, including general aviation, in Wisconsin.”
EAA benefits, Wisconsin benefits, the manufacturers benefit, and the pilot gets to go home without benefit of knowing if the third class medical will ever go away or if we will ever get no-ethanol-no lead aviation fuel, or if we will go broke trying to satisfy a bloated government wanting us to buy AD-“BS”. Thanks “Aviation Week” – let’s stay home next year.