Sonny Perdue Signs Proclamation Saluting General Aviation

NBAA Applauds Georgia Governor’s Proclamation Saluting General Aviation
Association Staff On-Hand at Signing Ceremony
Contacts: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Patrick 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.

October is declared Aviation Appreciation Month in Georgia!

October is declared Aviation Appreciation Month in Georgia!

Aviation Appreciation Month in Georgia