WHEREAS, general aviation contributes over $247 billion in economic impact, supports over one million jobs across the country, and often serves as a vital lifeline for communities through missions of disaster relief, humanitarian aid, law enforcement, and agricultural support; and

WHEREAS, over 650,000 registered pilots in the United States access more than 5,100 public-use airports and another 14,000 privately owned airfields, more than any other country in the world, and these pilots and airports connect communities across America; and

WHEREAS, general aviation brings over $1 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 6,000 jobs in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth of Virginia has 5,966 registered general aviation aircraft, 17,850 licensed pilots, and 66 public-use general aviation airports; and

WHEREAS, over the past 85 years, our citizens have marveled at the continual technological advancements in general aviation which have improved our lives, enabled access to communities across the country, created hundreds of billions of dollars in economic impact and growth, and propelled the United States as the world leader in general aviation; and

WHEREAS, on May 11, 2024, aircraft representing virtually every chapter of general aviation’s history will fly over the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the numerous contributions that general aviation has provided to our nation since 1939; and

WHEREAS, the National Celebration of GA Flyover in Washington, D.C. on May 11, 2024, presents a tremendous opportunity to seize the public imagination, reflect our ability to safely achieve innovative technological advancements, and be a defining moment in remembering the past, present, and future significance of general aviation in the United States; and

WHEREAS, May 2024 is a fitting time to commemorate 85 years of general aviation;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2024, as GENERAL AVIATION APPRECIATION MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.