NATA submitted the following commentary on the February 4th article written by Susan Feyder titled “3M Execs are Cutting Costs, But Flying High” in the Star Tribune of Minnesota. Click here to read Feyder’s article.

The February 4th article written by Susan Feyder titled “3M Execs are Cutting Costs, But Flying High” again highlights the Star Tribune’s apparent unwillingness to recognize the importance of general aviation to Minnesota as well as to the U.S. and global economies. Ms. Feyder’s article maligns an industry that is an enormous economic driver for Minnesota. The aviation industry:

• Contributes $2.9 billion, $595 per capita, to Minnesota’s economy, making the state number nine on the list of leading states in terms of general aviation contribution per capita
• Provides 37,600 jobs to Minnesota, totaling $1.86 billion in payroll, and the state is home to aircraft manufacturer Cirrus Design        

•  Calls Minnesota home for the following aviation businesses that support the more than 7,700 aircraft in the state, including 3M’s fleet:

  • 31 charter flight companies
  • 55 repair stations
  • 13 flight schools operating
  • 102 fixed-based operators in the state.

There are 154 commercial and general aviation airports in the state serving 13,132 pilots.

The only part of this article that is accurate is that portion reporting that because of bad publicity, which would include Ms. Feyder’s article, sales of new general aviation aircraft have dropped by one third since 2008.

I encourage the Star Tribune to take its blinders off and recognize the value and importance of the general aviation community before joining the league of corporate aircraft bashers that fail to recognize the immense economic driver and job creator general aviation is to Minnesota. Those corporate aircraft are supported by hundreds of businesses in the state that fuel, maintain and clean the aircraft and provide a host of other services that bolster the Minnesota economy.

Not long ago former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty recognized the importance of general aviation by declaring the month of October “General Aviation Appreciation Month.” And last fall, 77 mayors from 44 states, including the mayors of Blaine, Duluth, and Pequot Lakes, sent a letter to President Obama asking him to stop criticizing general aviation.

General aviation is an essential part of America, serving in one way or another almost every citizen. It is fundamental to our nation’s economic strength as are interstate highways, international trade, and the Internet. I hope going forward the Star Tribune recognizes these facts and changes its outlook on a key economic driver for Minnesota.
 

For general press inquiries, contact Shannon Chambers at 703-298-1347 or schambers@nata.aero. 

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has been the voice of aviation business for more than 80 years. Representing nearly 3,700 aviation businesses, NATA’s member companies provide a broad range of services to general aviation, the airlines and the military and NATA serves as the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.