OPENING LINES GENERAL AVIATION PROVIDES ROBUST CONTRIBUTION TO US ECONOMY Source: https://nbaa.org/, Dan Hubbard, First Published Feb 19th The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined with seven other aviation groups in welcoming an updated study, released today, detailing the robust contributions of general aviation to the U.S. economy. Conducted by PwC US Tax LLP, the updated study determined that general aviation (GA) supports a total of 1,330,200 jobs and a total of $339.2 billion in total economic output in the U.S. Both figures are sizable increases over an initial PricewaterhouseCoopers study conducted five years ago. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and NBAA sponsored the study. Leaders of the associations were encouraged by the study’s depiction of the significant contribution that the general aviation industry has on the U.S. economy. “This study powerfully demonstrates general aviation’s essential and growing role in creating jobs, supporting economic activity, connecting communities and helping companies of all sizes succeed, nationally and in every state,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “This authoritative report will be valuable in our industry’s work to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the sector’s size and central role in the nation’s economy and transportation system.” “We are proud to report that despite challenges that have plagued the entire aerospace industry since the beginning of the pandemic, the segment of the U.S. economy affected by general aviation grew over 150,000 jobs and an additional $92 billion in annual economic impact since last reported in 2020,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “This growth takes place at a time when the importance of the societal benefits that general aviation brings to humankind around the globe cannot be overstated. From aerial firefighting, medical airlift, natural disaster response, law enforcement, agriculture protection, through drone vaccine delivery, general aviation is saving lives while our business aviation segment creates the corporate connectivity to allow companies the competitive advantage needed to create more jobs and promote economic growth. General aviation is the technology incubator for civil aviation – our evolution is spurring more sustainable propulsion systems, safety enhancing avionics capabilities, advanced material manufacturing, and improved maintenance, training and support. These amazing innovations all serve as a testament to the strength of our industry being propelled by the hardworking teams that are engineering building, maintaining, and servicing the aircraft of today and tomorrow.” 9 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 02
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