More than 500 general aviation employees, 50 state and local officials and many industry leaders gathered at Lunken Airport (LUK) near Cincinnati today for the Ohio General Aviation Forum. The event, held at the Air10 Jet Center, was organized by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in partnership with GE Aviation and Hartzell Propeller.
Senator Sherrod Brown and Representatives Steve Driehaus and Jean Schmidt spoke to the large crowd, recognizing general aviation’s tremendous impact on the state of Ohio. The GA industry contributes more than $5.5 billion to the state’s economy. As one of the leading GA manufacturing centers in the U.S., this sector is also the source of thousands of jobs.
Pete Bunce, president and CEO of GAMA, stated, “We are appreciative that Senator Brown and Representatives Driehaus and Schmidt recognize GA’s tremendous impact in Ohio. Working together, Ohio will continue to be a leading center of general aviation manufacturing in the U.S.”
”GE has been active in business and general aviation for several decades, and 4,500 GE engines are in service in this aviation segment,” said Brad Mottier, vice president and general manager of GE Aviation’s Business and General Aviation organization. “More opportunities exist for GE to increase its presence in this segment with our engines and systems technology and GE is firmly committed to bringing our advanced technologies and world class services and support to business and general aviation operators.”
Joe Brown, president of Hartzell Propeller, said, “Our company is proud of our Ohio heritage and our place in the GA industry. Founded in 1917 to supply the Dayton-Wright Aircraft Company, we have been a GA-based employer from the very beginning of aviation. In our 93rd year of operation, our global business is strong even in these difficult times thanks to our 300 top-notch employees. Over the decades, we have seen many industries in Ohio shrink or relocate to other regions. GA is an industry that can grow, that needs the skills Ohio workers possess, and that provides the kinds of high paying jobs that are worth protecting.”
For more information: GAMA.aero, GE.com/Aviation or HartzellProp.com.
