South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R) has issued a proclamation declaring June “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in the Palmetto State, making it the latest state to publicly recognize the value of general aviation. “Aviation plays a vital role in the economy of South Carolina,” wrote the governor in her proclamation, “providing many thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity.”
“Most people aren’t aware that general aviation is important in their local area,” stated Joe Frasher, Airport Director of the Greenville Downtown Airport, which is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina. “I applaud Governor Nikki Haley for proclaiming June to be General Aviation Appreciation Month in South Carolina. It is great that Governor Haley sees what a vital role aviation plays in our economy and is telling our state.”
South Carolina is home to more than 10,000 pilots, 3,000 general aviation airplanes, 60 airports, 20 charter flight companies, 34 aircraft repair businesses and numerous flight schools.
The proclamation states that “general aviation and community airports play a critical role in the lives of our citizens as well as in the operation of our businesses and farms. Airports support and assist S.C. residents in many ways, providing a gateway to communities, tourist attractions, accommodating agricultural spraying, supporting air cargo and air freight shipments, helping law enforcement, supporting the military, providing access in times of emergency, and supporting medical needs and the medical profession.”
It also states that S.C. has “a significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, educational institutions, aviation organizations, community airports and airport operators.”
