by Think Currituck, on 8/28/18 3:00 PM
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) released their 2018 Report - North Carolina: The State of Aviation. Here's what you need to know...
The title of document refers to the report's snapshot of the current aviation industry in North Carolina, but it's also a clever nod to the fact that the state was the place where the Wright Brothers first took to the sky in 1903.
The report "highlights the critical mass of assets that support a vibrant and competitive aviation and aerospace sector and make North Carolina an ideal location to start, grow or relocate an aerospace and aviation-related business."
Here are a few key points from the 34-page report:
Aviation Infrastructure
• North Carolina operates 72 publicly owned airports (10 commercial service, 62 general aviation), placing 94 percent of residents within 30 minutes of an airport.
• The state’s airports support 11 rental car companies, 54 restaurants, cafes and bars, and 57 retail shops.
• The state has 18,000 licensed pilots and 15,000 aircraft mechanics.
Annual Airport Activity
• N.C. airports each year count 4 million airport operations (take- offs, landings), move 56 million passengers and handle 700,000 tons of cargo.
• More than 8,000 private aircrafts are based at N.C. airports.
Annual Aviation Impact
• The state’s 72 airports generate $31 billion in annual economic impact, create 123,400 jobs and contribute $913 million in tax revenues to state and local governments.
• North Carolina’s aerospace manufacturing companies post $10.5 billion in annual revenues.
• Airports and aerospace manufacturing account for 8.5% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.
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Aviation Sectors
North Carolina’s aviation industry includes:
• Aerospace manufacturing, the second fastest-growing in the nation with 180 companies that employ an 9,500 people and a 33.4 percent employment growth since 2012.
• Aerospace maintenance, with 76 companies and 4,500 jobs.
• Military aviation, with eight bases employing 70,000.
• Commercial airlines, with 13 operators employing 13,330.
• Air freight services, with nine companies and 2,500 jobs.
• Unmanned aircraft systems (drones), with 26 companies (more than 3,000 jobs) that develop components and complete systems or use them to enhance their business services.
Aviation Higher Education
• Eight N.C. universities and 18 community colleges operate aerospace or aviation degree programs.
• The state’s higher education institutions graduate more than 20,000 STEM majors each year.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems
• North Carolina’s drone industry is growing rapidly, with 32,000 registered recreational drone owners and more than 3,900 permitted commercial drones.
• North Carolina is fast becoming a leader in promoting government integration of drones to improve public services while saving tax dollars and partnering on research that advances drone innovation.
Want even more insight about North Carolina Aviation?
Download a PDF of the 2018 Report
North Carolina: The State of Aviation
