General Aviation â€œAn Important Part of the Air

““An Important Part of the Air An Important Part of the Air Transportation SystemTransportation System””

Andy CebulaAOPA

Executive Vice PresidentGovernment Affairs

July 21, 2009

General AviationGeneral Aviation

AOPA ISAOPA IS……

What Is General Aviation?What Is General Aviation?

General Aviation Fleet

148

23

19

10

10

10

6

4

2

- 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Single-Engine Piston

Experimental

Multi-Engine Piston

Turbojet

Helicopter

Turboprop

Light Sport

Balloon

Glider

Active Aircraft

Thousands

Active Aircraft by Type(Source: FAA)

Business UseBusiness UseBusiness Use

Business and Corporate Travel

TransportationTransportation

Personal/Family Transportation

RecreationRecreation

Recreation and Fun

TrainingTraining

Training

MedicalMedical

Medical/mercy flights

GA is BIG!GA is BIG!

5,200 airports500K pilots166 million passengers1.2 million jobs$103 billion econ activity

DEFEND GA, CONTRIBUTE TODAY! www.GAServesAmerica.com

Its About Connecting

•Three generations of tractor distributors

•Large employer in small community

•Depend on GA


•Mayor of Winner, SD

•Community relies on airport

Its About Connecting

Pilots Optimism vs. Public Sentiment Pilots Optimism vs. Public Sentiment

July 28, 2009 13

Sources: AOPA Policy & Issue Surveys (1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009), and the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey

GA Optimism and Consumer Sentiment

Economic EnvironmentEconomic Environment

20032003 20052005 20072007 20092009

ExcellentExcellent 0%0% 1%1% 4%4% 0%0%

GoodGood 28%28% 46%46% 48%48% 12%12%

Not So GoodNot So Good 62%62% 45%45% 45%45% 65%65%

PoorPoor 10%10% 8%8% 4%4% 23%23%

July 28, 2009 14

47% 52% 12%28%

How would you rate the GA economic environment?

72% 53% 49% 88%

Future of General AviationFuture of General Aviation

20032003 20052005 20072007 20092009

Optimistic 67%67% 62%62% 57%57% 50%50%

Pessimistic 33%33% 38%38% 43%43% 50%50%

July 28, 2009 15

Future of General Aviation?

Political EnvironmentPolitical Environment

July 28, 2009 16

How would you rate the political environment for GA?

Major Issues For PilotsMajor Issues For Pilots

• Economy – Extremely Cost Sensitive

• Security – Targeting General Aviation

• Airports – Noise/Value/Reduced Activities

• Overall Misperceptions

U.S. Opinion Leader StudyU.S. Opinion Leader Study

• Perception of GA high; 68% view GA as “very” or “somewhat” favorable

• 51% indicated GA is a “very important” part of the nation’s transportation system

• Bottom line: Influencers are receptive to GA –need to understand that GA connects thousands of communities

July 28, 2009 18


Urban and Suburban Growth Squeezes Airports

•Suburban expansion around airports•Economic pressures•Value of Property

Santa Clara Valley – San Jose


RunwayRunway


Photo Photo –– RHV RHV 19691969


Photo Photo –– RHV RHV 20002000


Photo Photo –– Google Earth Google Earth 20072007

STATES CAN HELP PROTECT STATES CAN HELP PROTECT THIS VITAL INDUSTRYTHIS VITAL INDUSTRY

Helping Attract BusinessHelping Attract Business

• NY A 8891 – New York Aviation Jobs Act– Sales tax exemption on aviation

maintenance permanent– Maintain competitiveness– Retain and attract business

Story of North Las VegasStory of North Las Vegas

• Original version of NV SJR 3– Sought Congressional authority to ban

certain flight activity at North Las Vegas Airport

– Inconsistent with national aviation system

– Undermines FAA regulation

Squeezing GASqueezing GA

• IL H 451– Categorizes GA aircraft as “luxury items”

along with “fur clothing” and “jewelry”– Imposes a luxury tax– Drives businesses out of the state– Represents a fundamental misperception of GA

General Aviation â€œAn Important Part of the Air

Documents