Governor Perdue Receives FAA Kitty Hawk Award

ATLANTA –- The Federal Aviation Administration Southern Region today recognized Governor Sonny Perdue with its highest honor, The Kitty Hawk Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation in the Southeast.

“Gov. Perdue’s vision and his personal commitment have profoundly benefited the growth of aviation in Georgia,” Doug Murphy, FAA Southern Regional Administrator, said. “I am proud to present the Kitty Hawk Award to this outstanding leader.”

During Gov. Perdue’s tenure, the Georgia State Airport Aid Program contributed $55.6 million to general aviation airports throughout Georgia. AIRGeorgia, the Airport Initiative in Rural Georgia Fund, granted $32 million to rural airports during the past eight years, with matching funds from other sources resulting in a $90 million total investment in Georgia airports under AIRGeorgia. The funding enabled general aviation airports to extend runways, install lighting and navigational aids, construct new terminal buildings, hangars and an airport maintenance building that enabled retention of 300 jobs.

Several airports are extending runways to 5,000 feet. When complete, every Georgian will be within a short drive of an airport that can handle 85 percent of today’s corporate aircraft.

“Airport access opens the door to economic development,” Murphy said. “Governor Perdue’s leadership has placed every Georgian less than an hour’s drive from an airport that can accommodate almost every private and corporate aircraft,” Murphy said.

Several major projects benefiting Georgia's Aviation System were completed while Governor Perdue was in office including:

• Heart of Georgia Regional Airport in Eastman was expanded in support of Middle Georgia College's aviation program.

• Wright Army Airfield was converted into joint-use civilian-military airport.

• The fifth runway at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport opened.

• The first new airport in more than 30 years opened in Paulding County.

• New airport terminal buildings were constructed at 17 rural airports. Six were funded by the FAA and Georgia Dept. of Transportation and 11 by the OneGeorgia Authority which administers the AIRGeorgia grant program.

Governor Perdue is the first elected official to receive the Kitty Hawk Award since its inception in 1991. He is the 33rd recipient of the award, joining industry leaders and FAA employees in receiving the honor.

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