Pub. 1 2018-2019 Issue 2

T he U.S. as a whole, including its territories, has more than 19,000 airports, heliports, and seaplane bases. The ones you hear about themost arecommercial, butmanysupportgeneral aviation. Theymake a substantial —and too often invisible—contribution to the communities they serve. What is thedifferencebetweenacommer- cial airport and a general aviation airport? Commercial airports are in the business of moving people, making money, and trying to avoid public relations gaffes. In contrast, general aviation airports usually provide service in one of four categories. • National or global markets: These air- ports average 200 aircraft, including approximately 30 jets. They also have multiengine propeller aircraft. • Regional and national markets: These airports have about 90 aircraft, of which three would generally be jets. They also have multiengine propeller aircraft. • Local and regional markets: These are airports with about 33 propel- ler-driven aircraft, some of which are multiengine, but no jets. • Critical functions within local and regional markets: These are air- ports that average about ten propel- ler-driven aircraft, but no jets. In addition, 497 general aviation air- ports have not been classified by the FAA because there is no clear way of grouping them based on the kinds of activity and their other characteristics. General aviation airports are a national asset whose work cannot be done as effectively, economically, or safely by commercial airports. Imagine, for example, what it would be like for firefighters to have no aerial support when fighting a forest fire. • General aviation gives businesses and other organizations broader travel options. They also support activities such as business travel, tourism, and special events such as air shows and skydiving. • People are able to more easily move employees, equipment, and goods and services when they live close to an airport. It can also help travelers get to a train, a ship, or a car rental business in order to finish a journey. An airplane might even be the only convenient way for people or sup- plies to get to a remote place such as an island. • Military personnel can use airports for training exercises and drills that help them fly more safely, prepare for natural disasters, and protect commu- nities more effectively. • General aviation supports disaster relief, firefighting efforts, and healthcare. Air transport is particularly important for some patients and veterans and for time-critical medical procedures involv- ing organ donation. Even though general aviationmay seem invisible, that doesn’t mean it isn’t profit- able. In 2015, for example, general avia- tion airports put more than $274million into Utah’s economy. The economic con- tribution is probably even larger today. How does general aviation affect Utah? : • The FAA lists 45 public-use airports in Utah. There are 8,072 pilots and 2,909 active aircraft. THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY AIRPORTS 28