West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin is bullish on GA.
That’s probably why he was invited to speak at the General Aviation Serves America Rally at the AOPA Aviation Summit earlier this month.
Manchin, who has been a pilot and AOPA member for 41 years, told the crowd that he is a great example “that you can be a pilot and grow a successful business.” Flying aided him greatly in his political success, he added.
“I was able to make more campaign opportunities than my opponent could,” he said, noting that West Virginia has 35 airports, but only seven have commercial traffic. “GA is the lifeblood of our state. We couldn’t make it without those small airports.”
Manchin, who said his state supports its GA airports, also said West Virginia is aggressively going after GA pilots. “We want aircraft owners to be hangared in West Virginia and to buy fuel here,” he said.
In talking to the crowd, Manchin noted that the threats pounding GA are very real. “If we lose these airports and they price us out of the market, God help us,” he said. “We’ll go the way of the railroads.”
He urged those in the crowd to go back to their homes and “talk to your governors, your legislators and your senators,” he said. “You have a chance to be involved. We want you invested in aviation.”
Speaking of investments, Manchin said that GA doesn’t need a stimulus package. Rather, his message to Washington is: “Just leave me alone and I’ll keep aviation moving.”
“In West Virginia, we’re planning our way through this recession,” he continued. “We can plan for aviation to come out of this stronger than before.”
For more information: WVGov.org.
It’s typical of the WV Gazette to not know the difference between a J-3 and a Saratoga…their coverage is equally accurate on other subjects.
GOV Manchin is one who does “get it”; he’s been a friend of GA for years while Senator Rockefeller typically represents his constituency of Exxon far better than WV.
According to the WV Gazette, the Governor personally owns a Piper J-3 but is also certified to fly a Cessna Caravan.
Governor Joe flies his own retract Cherokee ( not sure of the model ) as well as being qualified to fly the State’s Cessna Caravan and King Air 350. As to whether he actually does fly them ( State security reasons ) I don’t know, but he does attend Flight Safety regularly. I’ve had the pleasure to know the Governor long before he was Governor and he has always been at the head of the line in supporting G.A. We in G. A. have always known we have a real friend and supporter at the top spot in our State, and it’s re-assuring in these times.
I believe he used to fly a Cherokee six before he was the Governor… now upgraded to a King Air, I believe a 200 or 350. I believe his administration is mired in a great deal of Cronyism and Corruption… WV style!!
So, what sort of aircraft does the governor fly – J-3 Cub? King Air? Gulfstream 550? 737? Reporters and editors of General Aviation News should remember to also include aircraft types when writing about pilots!! Seems logical.
Thank you, Governor Manchin. It is great to have an ally and advocate for General Aviation. I respectfully ask you to please follow your own advice, and contact someone in your own back yard, Senator Jay Rockefeller. Senator Rockefeller is one of General Aviation’s greatest enemies, being a strong proponent for imposing user fees on GA and making reckless statements that GA users have “all kinds of money.” Senator Rockefeller is the reason why I will not put one dollar of my hard-earned income into West Virginia’s economy — whether it be related to aviation or any other activity.