Your Local AirportGiving Us a Lift

One way or another, every person inIowa benefits from generalaviation. From protecting crops tosearch and rescue to helping local

businesses increase their efficiency andreach new markets, general aviationairports support our way of life andprovide local connectivity to the world.

Nationally, general aviation aircraft makeup 96 percent of the entire U.S. civilianaircraft fleet and 75 percent of all U.S.flights.

Iowa’s general aviation public airportsprovide an important means of accessingthe communities and regions they serve.Airports enhance economic developmentand improve quality of life for all Iowans byserving various personal and businesstravel needs.

Business, Commerce,Economic ImpactAirports help businesses connect withcustomers and remote locations effectivelyand efficiently. The use of aircraft andgeneral aviation airports are essential toolsin today’s business environment. One studyfound 70 percent of new or expandedbusinesses intentionally locate within 10miles of a public-use airport.

The state of Iowa benefits from aviation-related trade, job creation, fuel taxes,aircraft registration fees and use taxes.Additional benefits are created by theoverall economic impact derived from theuses of Iowa’s airports. An economic valuesstudy by Iowa State University in 2000found that Iowa’s general aviation airportsprovide an economic impact ofapproximately $176 million annually.

It is a win/win situation for the aviationindustry and the state’s communities whenairports succeed!

Education/CareersThe aviation system in Iowa creates anexciting avenue for educationalopportunities in aviation and aerospacestudies.

Pre-school visits to airports, schoolprograms, youth camps and teacherworkshops are all examples of programsthat work to educate and inspire our youth.

Many college programs utilize Iowaairports to provide aviation career trainingin flight operations, aircraft maintenance,airport management, travel, and otheraviation support services.

Community fly-ins and major air showsbring the public to airports to educatethem on the different aspects of aviation.At the same time, they offer an opportunityto introduce both children and adults tothe exciting world of flight.

Support Your LocalGeneral Aviation Airport!Your local airport provides directopportunities for you. Learning to fly,chartering a plane or attending a fly-in orair show are just some of the ways youmight be directly exposed to aviation.

To be successful, airports require adequatefacilities, management, services andmarketing. Public support is important tothe viability of your local airport. As thevital links to Iowa’s air transportationsystem, airports help us retain and expandIowa’s businesses and support our way oflife. See the back page of this brochure tosee more uses of Iowa’s system of generalaviation airports.

Small aircraft provide a wide range of uses thatimpact all Iowans.

Agriculture uses aviation to protect and inspectcrops, develop crop survey maps, and support ag-related business travel.

Pilots have provided free educational flights to tensof thousands of Iowa youth since 1992 through theExperimental Aircraft Association’s Young EaglesProgram.

Businesses rely on local airports to move parts,products, and people

PM 895 3-22-04

BusinessTransport business people

• Meetings• Events• Other company locations

Customer visitsEconomic developmentCargo

• Just-in-time parts• Products• Time-sensitive documents

News gathering for media outlets• Radio• TV• Newspaper

Airborne• News• Traffic• Weather-related events

Aerial survey for real estate developmentAerial photographyTourismPower line patrolGas line patrol

GovernmentLaw enforcementSearch and rescueDrug enforcementCrime surveillanceDisaster reliefMilitaryWildlife countsAir surveillanceVisits by politiciansPrisoner transport

Aerial survey• Mapping• Highway construction• Infrastructure improvements

AgriculturalSpraying and seedingField and crop inspectionAerial crop surveyTransport of partsTransport people to agricultural events

Aviation RelatedAir charter service (parts and people)Flight trainingAircraft rentalSightseeingAircraft maintenanceAircraft fueling (local and cross county aircraft)Post maintenance test flights

Personal UsePersonal travelRecreationProviding airplane ridesTransporting family and friendsHumanitarian missionsSkydivingGlider operations

WeatherCurrent weather information

• Internet• Radio• Phone

MedicalFixed wing cross county transportHelicopter transportDelivery and transport of medical supplies, blood, organsTransport doctors and other specialists

Cross-county navigation for aircraftAirports provide visual reference from the air

(especially lights at night)Potential landing site for emergencies, refueling,

and in deteriorating weather conditionsGround-based navigational aids

Education/EntertainmentPre-school airport visitsAirport outreach programs to schoolsYouth campsTeacher workshopsYoung Eagle rides (children ages 8-17)Fly-insAir shows

Law enforcement relies on small airports for surveillance,chasing criminals, transporting organs, and providingsearch and rescue.

How Are General Aviation Airports Used?There are many ways the local airport can affect your community, such as bringing business activity toyour community, providing humanitarian flights, supporting aerial survey for infrastructure improvements,and providing personal and recreational opportunities that make your community a better place to live.Following is a list of some of the common uses of airports in Iowa:

This brochure is provided to you by yourlocal airport and the Iowa DOT Office of

Aviation. For more information, visitiawings.com, or contact:

Iowa DepartmentIowa Departmentof Transportationof Transportation

Office of Aviation800 Lincoln WayAmes, IA 50010515-239-1875iawings.com