Governor Proclaims General Aviation Appreciation Month

General Aviation Appreciation Month

2025

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, general aviation and community airports play a critical role in the lives and well-being of our citizens, as well as in the operation of our businesses and farms; and

Whereas, the 2023 North Carolina: The State of Aviation study found that general aviation airports in the state support over $6.1 billion in economic impact annually, more than 28,000 jobs and a total payroll of more than $1.8 billion; and

Whereas, according to the 2023 North Carolina: The State of Aviation study, the state has 72 public service airports for general aviation, and according to the Federal Aviation Administration, these airports serve almost 18,500 pilots and more than 6,600 registered aircraft; and

Whereas, in 2024, more than 36 million commercial passengers departed from North Carolina airports, and more than365,000 flights departed from North Carolina airports; and

Whereas, according to the FAA, North Carolina is home to 73 repair stations, 20 FAA-approved pilot schools, more than 6,000 student pilots, and more than 3,300 flight instructors; and

Whereas, general aviation improves overall quality of life by supporting emergency medical and health care services, law enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, and investments in sustainable fuels and emerging technologies; and

Whereas, Hurricane Helene demonstrated the vital importance of our airport system in disaster response and the ethic of service and generosity of our general aviation community, and

Whereas, general aviation airports are critical infrastructure that ensure future economic growth and support our next generation of aviation professionals and pilots;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 2025, as “General Aviation Appreciation Month” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-fifth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.