Wisconsin Aviation Week

The Governor Proclaims Aviation Week

Excerpt from Governor’s proclamation. See complete proclamation on the right.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Scott Walker, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim
July 25 - 31, 2011 as
AVIATION WEEK

throughout the State of Wisconsin, and I commend this observance to all our citizens.

Wisconsin's System

A total of 725 aircraft landing areas exist in the state including 131 public-use commercial and general aviation airports and 413 private-use airports.
In 2010, Wisconsin's aviation industry accommodated 6.6 million passengers and over 119 million pounds of cargo.
There are over 5,000 registered aircraft and 10,000 pilots in Wisconsin.

The Benefits of Aviation

Wisconsin airports and their associated activities are assets to the communities that they serve generating each year approximately $3 billion in economic activity and over $1 billion in personal income and providing more than 41,000 jobs.
While most residents are familiar with commercial aviation, general aviation is roughly equal to commercial aviation in terms of economic activity in Wisconsin.
Between 1997 and 2001, 85% of all new and expanded manufacturing firms located within 15 miles of one of the state's jet-capable airports.
Aviation improves the overall quality of life in Wisconsin by providing vital emergency medical transportation, enhancing public safety by assisting law enforcement, and transporting leisure travelers to their destinations quickly and safely.
Wisconsin is home to one of the world's largest aviation events, the EAA's AirVenture. This event, which in 2011 is July 25-31, attracts over 500,000 aviation enthusiasts from more than 60 countries and brings tens of millions of dollars into the Wisconsin economy.

What is General Aviation?
By definition, general aviation refers to all flights - both passenger and cargo - that aren't military or scheduled airline operations. And general aviation activities occur at all of the state's airports.
While general aviation encompasses recreational flying, 70% of general aviation flying time is business related. Businesses use corporate aircraft or chartered flights to quickly move key personnel from one site to another, reach new markets, work with suppliers from neighboring states, or ship time-critical parts and materials to their customers. These flights are not just for the stereotypical bigwigs anymore.
Wisconsin's 90 general aviation airports provide a principal link between the communities they serve and the larger national and global economies. Accordingly, they play a critical role in the fostering regional business growth and economic development.