Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
MBAA reps exemplify importance of creating relationships with lawmakers
Mark Knoff of the Minnesota Council of Airports speaks with Representative Paul Torkelson (R) after the representative's keynote speech.
After lunch and a presentation by the keynote speaker, attendees of Aviation Day at the Capitol took time for a group photo for posterity and to inspire other aviation enthusiasts to attend next year's event to meet legislators in person to actively support general aviation in Minnesota.
Attendees of Aviation Day at the Capitol gathered for breakfast, lunch, and a presentation by Representative Paul Torkelson (R) in the L'Etoile du Nord Room, at the Capitol in St. Paul. Legislators commonly refer to the room located in the lower portion of the building as the "Vault."
Wipaire Marketing Manager Amy Gesch speaks with Senator Dan Schoen (DFL) about the importance of general aviation to Minnesota's economic development.
Chuck Huntley attended Aviation Day at the Capitol to speak with his representative about Angel Flight Central, a nonprofit organization in which pilots volunteer their time to provide free, air transportation to people for routine medical care, and to special needs kids to summer camps. Huntley, himself a volunteer pilot, wanted to express the importance of support for community airports which is where the point of departure for the majority of Angel flights.
The halls of the Capitol Building are familiar stomping grounds for Mike Beard, former member of the House of Representatives (R). After his retirement from that position in 2014, Beard became a Business Development Executive at Bollig Engineering and Environmental, based in Willmar. Nowadays he often finds himself back at the Capitol where he advocates on behalf of clients pursuing avenues of funding support as they focus on growing their community airport.
Though there were no burning issues, Executive Director of the Minnesota Business Aviation Association (MBAA) Gordon Hoff knows the wisdom of aviation enthusiasts establishing relationships with legislators.
"It's important that we talk about the importance of aviation every year to our members so if we ever do have some kind of emergency, they know who we are and how to reach out to us," said Hoff. "We can be their resource."
Hoff noted the importance of stressing to legislators that taxes paid into state airport fund must be allocated to community airport funding whether through the Hangar Loan Program for general aviation aircraft, sealing cracks on runways, or installing a new rotating beacon, or other improvements. He said most senators have at least one airport in their district.
"We want to make sure the airports across Minnesota are well maintained and safe," said Hoff. "Airports are the doorway to the world and to national markets."
Wipaire Marketing Manager Amy Gesch took Hoff's advice by meeting with Senator Dan Schoen (DFL) to deliver an information packet and stress the importance of general aviation's contribution to economic development in Minnesota.
Sen. Schoen, who grew up in Willmar, heartily agreed. He then shared memories of his very practical experience flying with his father in a 1946 J3 Piper Cub when they had to locate cattle that got loose on their farm.
"Thank you for coming in today," Sen Schoen told Gesch. "I appreciate the information you are providing, It's very helpful."
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