August 1, 2011
Declaring that general aviation (GA) and local airports play “a vital role in the lives of our citizens, as well as in the operation of our businesses and farms,” Delaware Governor Jack A. Markell and Lt. Governor Matthew Denn recently issued a proclamation declaring July 2011 as General Aviation Appreciation Month in the state.
Delaware, known as The First State because it was the first in 1787 to ratify the new Constitution of the United States, becomes the 29th state since 2010 to officially recognize the value of aircraft used in business.
“Governor Markell and Lt. Governor Denn understand the importance of business flying to their state,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA President and CEO. “In their declaration of General Aviation Appreciation Month, they specifically cite the need to keep GA, the aerospace industry, aircraft manufacturing and aviation organizations healthy for the good of Delaware citizens.”
Although the second-smallest in land area, Delaware is home to 11 public use airports, with 150 NBAA Member companies contributing to aviation’s annual economic benefit of nearly one billion dollars in the state. Delaware also has six aviation charter flight companies, six repair stations and two flight schools.
Like the declarations of 28 states previously, Delaware’s designation of an Aviation Month includes the key tenets of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is sponsored jointly by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.
Other states that have publicly declared their appreciation of business flying include Alaska, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Maryland, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska, and Delaware.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.