While In DC, State Lawmakers Hear: No Plane, No Gain

NBAA, GAMA Highlight Business Aviation Value for Gathering of State Legislators

WASHINGTON, DC, APRIL 9, 2010 – It’s a fact: in every state in the U.S., business aviation has a proven ability to promote the growth of jobs, local investment and economic activity. That message has been among the main themes promoted through the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, jointly administered by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

So, when state legislators from across the country gathered in Washington this week for a Spring forum hosted by the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), NBAA and GAMA were among the groups working to highlight the value of business aviation at the local level, where state lawmakers work to support the companies, including NBAA Members, that serve as bases for employment.

The Washington event – a welcome reception for state policymakers attending the NCSL forum, organized by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association – took place on April 8, the forum’s opening day. NBAA’s director for legislative affairs, Dick Doubrava (pictured, at right), explained how the welcome event was an ideal opportunity to highlight the messages of the No Plane No Gain initiative, which aims to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the central role business aviation plays in supporting jobs, business growth, and access to air transportation in every state.

“As NBAA and GAMA have pointed out through No Plane No Gain, business aviation opens doors for economic opportunity in states all across the country,” Doubrava noted. “That’s especially important right now, when state budgets are tight and economic opportunities are stubbornly elusive.

When state legislators gather in Washington to talk with federal elected officials about the essential industries in their states, we want to be sure business aviation is a part of that picture.”

That message was delivered directly to state leaders at the reception by Doubrava and representatives from other general aviation groups. Visual elements were also a part of the event, where a tall projection screen showed images of the myriad ways general aviation, including business aviation, supports businesses, serves small towns without airline service, gives lift to humanitarian efforts, and provides other benefits. The photos on the projection screen – including people with jets, turboprops and pistons – rotated with slides asking questions to highlight important facts. “Did you know?,” one slide asked, “Few business aviation flights carry executives. Seventy-four percent are time-critical trips by sales, technical and middle-management employees.” Also at the event, a flight simulator was provided to allow state lawmakers a hands-on experience with flying.

The participation by NBAA and GAMA in the forum is the latest in a series of Washington events the two associations have recently participated in to deliver the No Plane No Gain message to visiting delegations of state policymakers. As just one example, GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce and NBAA Senior VP Government Affairs Lisa Piccione recently emphasized the role business aviation plays in the state economies and transportation systems in presentations each gave to an annual Legislative Conference of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), held in Washington, DC on March 30. Read more about that event.