Expert Opinion
AIN Blog: General Aviation Should Continue Message to the White House
When President Obama was in his business aviation-bashing mode earlier this year, the general aviation industry countered with a
The White House needs to continue to hear general aviation's message. (Photo by vitasamb2001/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net)
The White House needs to continue to hear general aviation's message. (Photo by vitasamb2001/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

When President Obama was in his business aviation-bashing mode earlier this year, the general aviation industry countered with a rally in Wichita that attracted more than 2,000 GA workers. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was there, and he lauded the importance of general aviation manufacturers to the state of Kansas and the U.S. industrial base as a whole. The former Republican congressman also promised the crowd that the President would visit “the air capital of the world” next year.

Although the event in a Cessna hangar was rife with federal, state and local politicians, it was General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) president and CEO Pete Bunce who sparked the loudest cheers when he told the gathering, “The only very important people in here today are you. This rally is really about you.”