Approximately 350 aviation workers, pilots and enthusiasts in New Mexico joined with elected officials and alphabet group leaders yesterday at Cutter Aviation in Albuquerque for a general aviation jobs rally hosted by the General Aviation Manufacturing Association (GAMA.)

“The aviation industry, exemplified by the many companies here today, plays such an important and increasing role in New Mexico’s economy,” said New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez. General aviation contributes more than $761 million to the state economy annually, she said, with close to 400 New Mexicans employed at aerospace manufacturing companies.

Other attendees included Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), AOPA president Craig Fuller and GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. They met with leaders and employees of several aviation manufacturing companies in Albuquerque, including Eclipse Aerospace, Aspen Avionics and Bendix/King.

Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry emphasized the importance of aviation manufacturing throughout the Land of Enchantment, and especially to the state’s largest city. “If we’re going to get our mojo back from a national economy standpoint, we need to make more things in America,” he told workers. “You’re doing that right here in Albuquerque.”

GAMA’s Bunce lauded the support aviation receives from New Mexico’s congressional delegation and local leaders. “They are working hard, both here and in Washington, to support and promote policies that will encourage growth in New Mexico’s general aviation sector and aerospace industry as a whole,” he added. New Mexico is the tenth state to host a GA Jobs Rally, a program implemented by GAMA to promote general aviation at the grass-roots level.