Missouri governor declares ‘GA Appreciation Month’

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon declared March “General Aviation Appreciation Month” during Missouri’s “State Aviation Day” in Jefferson City, Mo. General aviation in Missouri alone generates $2.4 billion in economic impact to the state’s economy each year.

“With 131 airports and over 15,000 pilots, Missouri has strong ties with the aviation community,” said Craig Fuller, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). “Across Missouri, the aviation industry allows pilots to serve their customers, reach patients, deliver goods, and assist communities in times of natural disaster. We are excited about working with Governor Nixon on continuing to support this valuable industry.”

“Throughout Missouri and across the United States, business aviation is vital in supporting jobs and our economy, allowing business to reach their customer base and transporting essential services to communities in need,” stated Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “General aviation provides 1.2 million jobs and $150 billion in economic impact here in the United States. We thank the governor for raising awareness about the impact of this industry and other issues that are important to business aviation.”

Henry Ogrodzinski, President of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) said, “Here in the United States, our airport network sustains millions of jobs, and also provides access to a host of essential services and resources. I would like to honor the tremendous work of Missouri Administrator of Aviation Joe Pestka A.I.C.P., who is also Vice-Chairman of NASAO, for his hard work in promoting the critical impact general aviation has on Missouri and we commend Governor Nixon for recognizing the importance of the aviation industry in Missouri and look forward to working closely with him in the future.”

James K. Coyne, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), stated “General aviation’s contribution to the State of Missouri and its economy is significant. This recognition of general aviation’s contribution is a tremendous step forward in letting aviation businesses voice be heard.”

“We thank Governor Jay Nixon for the opportunity to spotlight the economic and operational benefits of helicopters and general aviation to communities in Missouri. The unique capabilities of helicopters provide fast lifesaving services to the people of Missouri and make possible many other missions conducted on behalf of its citizens and economy,” added Matthew Zuccaro, President of Helicopter Association International (HAI).

“As an aviation business headquartered in the state of Missouri, I am pleased to see Gov. Jay Nixon recognize the economic impact of aviation in our state by signing this proclamation today,” said Paula Derks, president of the Aircraft Electronics Association, an international trade organization located in Lee’s Summit, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City. “In Missouri, nearly 16,000 highly-skilled workers are employed by aviation-related entities, contributing nearly $2.5 billion of economic impact to the state.”