Workforce development, preserving airport access and ensuring economic parity for aviation businesses are among the priorities for regional groups ahead of state legislative sessions in 2023.
Texans for General Aviation (TFGA) has joined forces with other groups, including the Texas Aerospace and Aviation Advisory Committee and Texas Area Manufacturers Association, to prompt state lawmakers to revoke the current sales tax on non-commercial aviation maintenance services.
“Now is the time to protect Texas’ own businesses,” said Shelly deZevallos, president of West Houston Airport (IWS) and a TFGA member. “We’re losing too much business to surrounding states that have already repealed these taxes.”
TFGA President Josh Smith views the upcoming legislative session as an opportunity to also educate lawmakers about substantial grassroots efforts to build the Lone Star State’s aviation workforce.
“Local aviation and community organizations have come together to engage with young people and reach out to underserved populations to nurture our industry’s next generation,” Smith said.
“Local aviation and community organizations have come together to engage with young people and reach out to underserved populations to nurture our industry’s next generation.”
JOSH SMITH President, Texans for General Aviation
Workforce development is also a priority for the New York Aviation Management Association. “Ten percent of our state’s aviation jobs are currently unfilled,” noted President Mike Hall. “It’s imperative that we support education and attract young people to our industry.”
Other items on the New York group’s agenda include preservation of airport infrastructure and development of future technologies, including AAM. “Airport noise and pollution are today’s concerns,” Hall said. “Those seeking to close or restrict access to airports must be careful to not react to the past, but rather look forward to what’s on the horizon.”
Airport funding is a priority for the Minnesota Business Aviation Association, as legislators revisit the funding allocation formula for the state’s 130 airports. The group’s Executive Director Tim Cossalter said, “We did see the formula adjusted in 2019 to a cap at $25 million, but that doesn’t go very far in today’s dollars.”
Lawmakers often judge the health of Minnesota’s aviation system by its five commercial airports, he continued. “They see MSP [Minneapolis−Saint Paul International] is in great shape and think that’s the case everywhere. Educating lawmakers about the needs of GA airports is our most important mission.
Review NBAA’s regional group resources at nbaa.org/regional.
Westchester Association Counters Misinformation
With approximately 140 members – including large companies, smaller on-airport businesses and individuals – the Westchester Aviation Association (WAA) focuses on community education and engagement on matters affecting the busy airfield (HPN) along the New York/Connecticut border.
That mission also includes countering misperceptions about the airport, noted WAA Chair John Wellington, including concerns over airport growth. A recent hangar expansion drove claims in the surrounding community that the airport was expanding.
“The hangar actually reduces traffic as certain aircraft no longer need to relocate to other airports overnight,” he noted. Two years ago, a runway repaving project (clearly a safety matter) prompted similar fears, although runway lengths were not changed.
In response to rising noise complaints north of HPN, the WAA analyzed weather patterns and found that shifting wind patterns led to more landings to the south.
“We’re making the local community aware of that and continue to do all we can to limit noise and be a good neighbor,” Wellington said.
“All too often, opinions about the airport are based not in fact, but feelings,” he said. “Convincing people otherwise can be difficult, but we’re here to remind people of all the positive aspects of our airport.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.