What role is general aviation playing in North Dakota during a period in which the state is experiencing exponential economic growth?
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission is seeking input from North Dakota pilots and businesses over the next few months on that question as it conducts research to document the effects of the state’s economic expansion on its aviation system.
To focus the strategy for future investment in its aviation infrastructure, the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission is seeking the participation of pilots and businesses that rely on general aviation in two separate online surveys.
With the assistance of planning and design firm Jviation and the University of North Dakota’s School of Aerospace Sciences, the Aeronautics Commission designed the surveys to collect key information on general aviation users, businesses, emergency service/health care providers, agricultural operators, and others that rely on and use general aviation.
AOPA encourages members to participate in the effort to measure and respond to North Dakota’s rapidly growing aviation-system needs.
"With so much aviation activity occurring today in North Dakota, we are very pleased to see the Commission request this study," said Bryan Budds, AOPA’s Great Lakes regional manager. "This information will be of significant value in the dialogue on the importance of aviation to North Dakota between policymakers and community members across the state."
Pilots participating in the general aviation survey can access it here. Budds noted that any pilot who has flown recently into an airport in North Dakota can provide important information for the survey.
A survey for businesses that rely on general aviation for travel or to improve their efficiency is available here.
The Aeronautics Commission encourages participants to respond promptly, noting that the information the surveys will provide will be vital to efforts to secure funding that keeps pace with growing aviation system needs.
