Left To Right Bottom Row:
Alliance For Aviation Across America Matt Hager, TAC Commissioner Fred Culbreath, Governor Bredesen, TAC Commissioner Belinda Anderson, TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, TDA Director Bob Woods
Back Row (on step):
AOPA S.E. Regional Rep. Bob Minter, TAC Commissioner Larry Mullins, TAC Commissioner Ron Cooper, NBAA Dir. Legis. Affairs Richard Doubrava, TAC Commissioner Rev. Fred Dettwiller.
Tennessee’s economy realizes close to $6 billion annually as a result of aviation activity. Gov. Phil Bredesen recognized the importance of general aviation to the state by proclaiming April General Aviation Appreciation Month in the “volunteer state.”
The proclamation cites the nearly 100,000 jobs that result from economic activities directly or indirectly related to aviation, creating nearly $2 billion in wages and salaries, and the importance of GA to the future growth and prosperity of the state.
“Given our state’s geography, a great many businesses and communities depend upon General Aviation aircraft and utility aircraft of all types for access to medical treatment, mobility, economic opportunity, disaster relief and a wide range of critical resources,” the proclamation states.
AOPA Southeast Regional Representative Bob Minter met with members of the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission, representatives of NBAA and the Alliance for Aviation Across America, Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely, and Tennessee Division of Aeronautics Director Bob Woods at the state Capitol April 21 for a photograph with the governor to celebrate the proclamation.
Proclamations like the one in Tennessee illustrate that political leaders are aware of the many benefits of their state’s aviation industry. AOPA continually promotes the benefits of GA to lawmakers in each state and monitors all legislative actions that could affect the community.
