UTAH AVIATION COALITION FORMED

In a concerted effort to protect airport and aviation infrastructure funding, eight aviation organizations have agreed to form the Utah Aviation Coalition. The coalition will represent a cohesive voice for general aviation advocacy at the state level, and includes the Utah Business Aviation Association (UBAA), Utah General Aviation Association (UGAA), Utah Airport Operators Association (UAOA), Utah Back Country Pilots Association, along with several others.

The goal of the coalition is to present a unified voice in discussions with the state’s Department of Transportation and its Aeronautics Division concerning airport projects, budgets, and aviation programs around the state. Rather than multiple groups making proposals and requests in different directions and diluting efforts the coalition will represent with more impact all of its constituents in legislative and budgetary discussions, particularly with regard to the expenditure of state aviation funds. The group wants to ensure those funds are used for their intended purpose of statewide aviation-related projects only, rather than only for the aeronautics division’s desire to purchase additional aircraft. Another important aspect of the coalition’s input on the use of aviation funds is that those expenditures may affect the state’s ability to secure matching grants from the FAA.