General Aviation and the Local Economy in the United States

General aviation (GA) airports form an extensive and essential network across the United States, supporting both local and national economies by facilitating various economic activities. Originating as private or military airfields in the early 20th century, many GA airports have grown into critical infrastructure hubs for their regions. This chapter explores economic contributions of GA airports and highlights the significant roles these airports play in business aviation, tourism, agriculture, emergency services, and pilot training, through a series of case studies. The findings demonstrate that GA airports contribute substantially to regional and national economies, serving as catalysts for economic growth and community development.