NBAA Applauds Georgia Governor’s Proclamation Saluting General Aviation

Contacts: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.orgPatrick Dunne, (202) 783-9263, pdunne@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, October 7, 2009 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today welcomed a proclamation by Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue (R-GA) recognizing the essential role general aviation plays for the state and its businesses. Lisa Piccione, NBAA senior vice president, government affairs, was among those in attendance at the signing ceremony for the proclamation held in Atlanta today.

“NBAA applauds Governor Perdue for recognizing the value of general aviation, including business aviation, to citizens, companies and communities across Georgia,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We thank him for sending this most welcome message about the importance of the jobs, business productivity, access to small airports and humanitarian initiatives that our industry supports. We also join Governor Perdue and his fellow Georgians in celebrating the state’s historic First Flight by E. Patrick Epps in 1907.”

The proclamation notes that Georgia “has a significant interest in the health of general aviation, aircraft manufacturing, airline industries, educational institutions and aviation organizations such as the National Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and the Atlanta Aero Club.”

The statement goes on to note that “a great many businesses and communities depend upon general aviation aircraft and small aircraft of all types for access to medical treatment, mobility, economic opportunity, disaster relief and a wide range of critical resources. Business aviation is an invaluable tool for companies in Georgia to support their operations.”

These and other general aviation benefits cited in the proclamation are among the central themes of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. 

In recognizing the value of the industry, the proclamation declares the fourth week of October “Aviation Appreciation Month,” in honor of the first powered flight in Georgia, in 1907. The idea for the governor’s proclamation came from Steve Champness, president of the Atlanta Aero Club, with encouragement and guidance of Bolen and Lisa Piccione, NBAA seinor vice president of government affairs.

Review a full copy of the proclamation (928KB, PDF)

Editors: Download a high-resolution photo from today’s proclamation signing ceremony (232KB, JPG)

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

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