WASHINGTON, DC, June 7, 2006 – Testifying today at a hearing before the Aerospace States Association (ASA) on the National Aeronautics R&D Policy, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Chairman and the Chairman, President, and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company, Jack Pelton, announced the release of a study, co-authored by some of the country’s most knowledgeable transportation economists, which once again demonstrates general aviation’s (GA) value to the U.S. economy.

GAMA, together with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), commissioned an independent analysis of GA’s current contribution to the U.S. economy at both the national and state level. The results are significantly higher than past estimates, indicating GA‘s increasing role as a provider of air transportation in this country.

“Because of the diverse nature of general aviation, its significant impact upon the economy is often overlooked or intermixed with other segments of transportation, masking GA’s own unique contribution,” said Pelton. “It is important to note that in 2005, GA contributed more than $150 billion to U.S. economic output, and directly or indirectly, employed more than 1,265,000 people whose collective earnings exceeded $53 billion.”

NASAO President and CEO Henry Ogrodzinski said, “Those who seek to raise the amount of taxes paid by general aviation operators must consider the adverse affect tax increases have on aviation consumers in every state in our nation.”

“This study quantifies what is at stake in the upcoming user fee debate for a significant number of Americans whose livelihoods are supported by general aviation,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO. “If the airlines are successful in shedding their own costs of an air transportation system that is built for them onto GA, a significant negative impact will be felt by many more than just GA operators."