South Burlington--Companies involved in aircraft manufacturing, commercial airline travel, and civil aviation are banding together with educators and trainers to help advance math, science and engineering education in Vermont, and more good-paying jobs in aerospace and aviation that those students will qualify for.

The Vermont Aerospace and Aviation Association (VAAA) held its first annual meeting and reception at the Heritage Flight facility at the Burlington International Airport Thursday.

“This is about inspiring young Vermonters with a dream and a vision,” Lt. Gov. Dubie told the crowd assembled in Heritage Flight’s spacious new hangar. “It’s about helping them make the critical link between the exciting world of aerospace and aviation, and the lessons they learn in the classroom.”

Dubie said, “We’re also helping to promote growth in an important economic sector in our state. Ensuring that those companies will have a well-trained and highly-motivated workforce in years to come is a key to attracting and retaining these good-paying jobs.” In addition to serving as Vermont’s Lt. Governor, Dubie is also a commercial airline pilot, a former F-16 pilot and former aerospace engineer. “I’m very pleased by the response of the aerospace and aviation community, and glad to have their enthusiastic cooperation in this effort.”

About two dozen firms and organizations were on hand for the inaugural event, including such Vermont powerhouses as General Electric of Rutland, Vergennes-based Goodrich, and local firm General Dynamics. General Electric, Goodrich, Heritage Flight and Burlington International Airport jointly co-sponsored the event.

Dubie said the VAAA would help educate the public and policy makers about the importance of aviation to Vermont, especially as an economic sector, and encourage young people to study math and science and enter the field.

“These companies provide the kind of jobs that Governor Douglas is working hard to create and retain,” Dubie said. "And they are the kind of jobs that the next generation of Vermonters will want to stay and fill."

“The aerospace and aviation industry is an important part of Vermont’s economy,” said Kevin Dorn, Secretary of the Agency of Commerce and Community Development. “One airline industry trade group estimates that commercial aviation in Vermont impacts some 27,268 jobs and helps generate nearly $2 billion in economic activity.”

In addition to the economic impact of Vermont’s airports and tourism-related travel, Dorn noted that both large and small businesses did business in the aerospace sector.

“For example, Boeing has 27 suppliers in Vermont who account for $35 million in annual sales to the company,” he said.

A 2001 study by the Commission on the Future of the United States Aerospace Industry said 60 aviation and aerospace firms in Vermont employed 3,100 jobs at (1,700 in aircraft manufacturing and 1,400 in air transportation) with a total payroll of $137 million.

The guest of honor, Major Tad Clark of the United States Air Force's Thunderbirds precision flying team, which will be performing at the Wings Over Vermont airshow this weekend, said one of his group's goals was much the same as Dubie's.

"We hope to inspire a younger generation," Clark said. "When that happens, we'll have individuals who will design a better stealth technology to protect combat aircraft, design a more fuel-efficient jet engine, or come up with a safer design for air travel."

Katie Pribyl, Communications Director for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) can from Washington, DC to help with VAAA’s launch. GAMA is an international trade association representing approximately 50 of the leading manufacturers of fixed-wing general aviation aircraft, engines, avionics, and component parts. Pribyl congratulated Vermont for taking the lead in promoting aerospace and aviation at the state level. “I’m so excited that Vermont has initiated the VAAA, and I look forward to collaborating with you to educate a new generation about the wonders of flight, and to helping Vermont create new jobs in our industry.”