Colorado Aviation Week Celebration to Include Recognition of General Aviation

May 24, 2012

Colorado will celebrate Aviation Week from June 4 to 10, and activities will include recognizing the ongoing accomplishments of general aviation (GA) in the Centennial State, as well as thanking members of “The Greatest Generation” for advancing aviation and preserving American freedom during World War II.

“For the last two years our focus was on educating the public, pushing back against the erroneous negative image many held of GA, including business flying,” said Brittany Davies, chair of the celebration’s sponsoring organization, the Colorado Aviation Business Association (CABA). “This year we’re turning the spotlight on the Colorado men and women who make today’s aviation system work, and we’re looking ahead to the improvements they’ll bring in the years to come.”

Aviation Week activities include tours of and flights in a restored World War II B-17 bomber, a hangar dance with a World War II theme and a “State of Aviation” luncheon with well-known Vietnam vet and SR-71 pilot Brian Shul as the keynote speaker.

The week’s events also include fundraisers for the Centennial Airport Foundation and activities to raise funds supporting scholarships given by CABA. Davies said the organization first awarded scholarships last year and will continue helping students and career aviation workers in achieving their goals.

The Colorado Aviation Week activities are designed to celebrate and raise awareness of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s declaration of June as Colorado General Aviation Appreciation Month. In his proclamation, the governor cited several of the themes of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, sponsored jointly by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association.

“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,” the governor said in his proclamation. He noted that Colorado GA airports contribute $2.1 billion annually to the state’s economy and sustain 22,650 jobs.

Download the Colorado proclamation (265KB, PDF)

Based at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, CO, CABA is one of the most active regional business aviation organizations in the country. Since CABA’s revitalization in 2008-2009, the group has focused on promoting aviation and related businesses and educating Colorado residents on the value of business aviation. Through a public event called “Aviation Saves,” sponsored in 2010 and 2011, CABA members showed locals how GA provides emergency rescue, community outreach, access for small towns and business efficiency.