Regional Issues
Supporting Members in their home communities and at general aviation airports across the country is among NBAA’s primary objectives. NBAA’s group of highly qualified, experienced regional representatives work with community leaders, NBAA Members and the larger business aviation community throughout the year on a range of local, state and regional issues.
NBAA’s regional efforts involve work on policies affecting business aviation taxation, airport access and land use, security, aircraft noise and emissions, and other priorities. For more detailed information on specific local issues, review NBAA's coverage of regional issues below.
For the latest in regional news, subscribe to NBAA Update, a free e-newsletter providing a synopsis of the latest operational, regulatory and legislative news for the business aviation community.
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Kentucky Proclamation Honors Business Aviation
- July 29, 2010
A proclamation issued by Governor Steven Beshear (D-KY) recognizes the importance of general aviation, including business aviation, to the state of Kentucky and declares July 2010 "General Aviation Appreciation Month." The proclamation notes that "general aviation aircraft support a variety of services vital to Kentucky businesses and communities, including business mobility and economic opportunity, agricultural spraying, police and fire protection, access to medical treatment, disaster relief and a wide range of resources critical to those in isolated areas." Those benefits, provided by business aviation, are highlighted by the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. View the proclamation here. -
Ohio Proclamation Salutes Business Aviation
- July 16, 2010
In a proclamation, Governor Ted Strickland (D-OH) declared July 16, 2010 to be "Aviation Industry Awareness Day," noting that in Ohio, "Fortune 500 company flight departments" and small businesses alike "rely on aircraft to compete efficiently." The proclamation also recognized the role of "60 charter flight companies, 131 aircraft repair stations [and] the two top fractional ownership companies" in driving economic activity in the Buckeye State. View the proclamation here. -
Massachusetts Lawmakers Join Together to Support Business Aviation
- June 23, 2010
In recent years, Bay State legislators have noticed that the state was slowly losing airports – and with them, a good chunk of the state’s economy. "Once you lose them, they never come back," notes State Rep. Don Humason, chairman of the Massachusetts Legislative Aviation Caucus, in describing the airport closures. What began five years ago with just a handful of legislators with airports in their districts has expanded to include 75 lawmakers from across the state. The caucus considers business aviation central to local jobs. Read an article about the Massachusetts Aviation Caucus. -
In Westchester County, Planes = Gains
- May 24, 2010
Governors in Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, North Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont and Washington state have all issued decrees echoing the No Plane No Gain campaign themes in underscoring the importance to transportation and economic development. Last week, New York's Westchester County offered a local proclamation during a meeting of the Westchester Airport Association, at which NBAA staff were in attendance. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said at the meeting that local companies use business aircraft "to shrink the distance between them and their customers - whether the customers are located out of the state, or out of the country." Read an article about the Westchester County proclamation. -
No Plane No Gain: WA Recognizes General Aviation Value
- May 10, 2010
Washington Governor Christine Gregoire recently announced a statewide proclamation declaring May "General Aviation Appreciation Month" in the state. The proclamation outlines the critical role general aviation (GA) plays in business, agriculture, emergency medical air- service and the overall economy – all benefits highlighted through the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign jointly sponsored by NBAA and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. General aviation contributes over 178,000 jobs and approximately $3.18 billion in total economic impact to Washington alone. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen welcomed the proclamation: "It is great to see Washington join other states in recognizing the value of general aviation to their communities and economies." Read the full story about the Washignton proclamation. Tennessee Proclaims General Aviation ‘Active and Vital’
- April 21, 2010
Tennessee is the latest state to issue a proclamation highlighting the value of all GA, including business aviation. Other states to do so have included West Virginia, Kansas, Vermont and Georgia. The proclamation issued today noted that "...The use of general aviation by businesses and Tennesseans are directly tied to the future growth and prosperity of the state." Learn more. Outlook Improves in Washington State Tax Battle
- April 12, 2010
The general aviation community had reason for optimism in light of recent developments in a hard-fought battle to stop a proposed 0.5-percent annual excise tax on all aircraft based in the state. On April 10, lawmakers in the state's House of Representatives approved an overall state tax bill without the increase, which had been included in earlier versions of the legislation. The State Senate has already signaled its opposition to the excise tax proposal, and is expected to vote on the House bill sometime today. The welcome news follows a weeks-long advocacy campaign in which NBAA and its Members worked as part of a unified grassroots coalition that mobilized in opposition to the measure. "Although the final vote hasn't been taken on this issue, it's important to recognize the work done by NBAA Members and others to ensure that the industry has been heard in the debate over this proposal, which could have such a detrimental impact on business aviation," said Kristi Ivey, NBAA Northwest regional representative. Learn more. NBAA Member Action Needed to Pass Florida Sales and Use Tax Reform
- April 8, 2010
The Florida House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 173 to remove the onerous use tax on visiting out of state aircraft. This legislation would allow aircraft owners to remain in Florida for up to 21 days during the first six months of ownership without being subject to use tax. Unfortunately, the accompanying senate bill that would provide similar relief has stalled. In order to become law, Senate Bill 220 (SB 220) must move out of committee and be passed by the entire senate. With the legislative session ending in a few days, NBAA Members are encouraged to contact members of the Florida Senate Finance and Tax Committee and encourage them to seek passage of SB 220. Learn more. Chicago Business Aviation Community Underscores Safety Focus
- April 6, 2010
A Chicago Area Business Aviation Association (CABAA) Safety Day originally scheduled for next month has been elevated to a Safety Stand Down, scheduled for this Friday, April 9 and moved to near Chicago Executive Airport (PWK). The elevated profile for the event follows the first fatal local accident at PWK in at least 48 years. Learn more. GAMA, NBAA Tell Washington Aviation Forum Attendees:
‘No Plane No Gain’- April 1, 2010
Dozens of state aviation officials were the latest to hear from the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) about the value of business aviation to citizens, companies and communities across the U.S. Learn more. Missouri Aviation Joins Ranks; Makes, Keeps Friends at Aviation Day
- March 25, 2010
At the fourth annual Missouri Aviation Day, held March 24 in Jefferson City, Missouri state legislators mingled with over 100 individuals from the state’s general aviation (GA) community, including representatives with NBAA Member Companies. Learn more.
Colorado “Aviation Saves” Event Will Highlight Industry’s Value
- March 18, 2010
A one-day “Aviation Saves” event to highlight the ways general aviation (GA) serves communities will be held at Colorado’s Centennial Airport (KAPA) on Wednesday, April 28, from noon to 7:00 PM. Admission is free for the public. Learn more.
NBAA Member FargoJet Steps Up In A Time of Need
- March 17, 2010
Nearly half of the 100 employees at Fargo Jet Center (FJC) in Fargo, ND are volunteering this week to sandbag the banks of the rapidly rising Red River. River levels in Fargo are forecast to rise as high as 39 feet by this weekend, well over the city’s "major flood" stage of 30 feet. Learn more. PNBAA 2010 Safety Day Supports Professionals and Students
- March 15, 2010
If the 2009 Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association’s “Safety Day” was a resounding success, participants agreed that this year’’s event “blew it away.” Themed “The Human Side of Aviation,” the all-day regional safety event was held March 4 in Seattle’s Museum of Flight. Some 150 aviation department managers, pilots, safety officers, risk managers, directors of maintenance, schedulers and dispatchers attended, welcoming the chance to hear directly from aviation safety experts. Read more. Vermont Recognizes Importance of GA, Including Business Aviation
- March 8, 2010
Vermont recently joined their ranks when Governor Jim Douglas proclaimed February Aviation and Aerospace Appreciation Month at a Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA) open house at the Burlington International Airport. More than 250 people – including NBAA representatives, government officials and officials with other general aviation (GA) associations – attended the event at Heritage Aviation where the governor highlighted the value of aviation to the state. Read more. No Plane No Gain: Another State Proclaims Value of Aviation
- March 5, 2010
Alaska has joined a growing list of states whose elected officials have issued proclamations in recent months recognizing the value of all aviation, including business aviation, to jobs, businesses and economic growth. "Alaska is home to 258 charter flight companies, 53 repair stations and six flight schools," the proclamation, issued by Alaska Governor Sean Parnell (R-AK), notes. "In addition, there are 50 fixed base operators in the state. This accounts for more than 9,900 jobs in the aerospace and aviation industries of Alaska." View or download the Alaska proclamation in PDF format. Arizona Aviation Day at the AZ State Capitol
- January 21, 2010
The fifth annual Arizona Aviation Day rally at the state capitol in Phoenix on January 20 drew a record number of participants, including state Governor Jan Brewer. The event was hosted by Arizona aviation organizations and companies. "Aviation in Arizona is a powerful economic engine," said Joe Husband, city of Phoenix aviation superintendent and a past president of the Arizona Airports Association. "It translates into jobs and tax revenue." NBAA regional representative Dan Burkhart added that some 470,000 Arizona jobs are directly or indirectly attributable to aviation, with an economic impact of $38.5 billion yearly, or about ten percent of the state’s economy.
