Business and general aviation groups are encouraging their members to participate in the FAA’s annual General Aviation (GA) and Part 135 Activity Survey, underscoring the importance of having accurate industry data. The FAA is kicking off the 39th edition of the survey to collect data for 2016 activity, sending out email invitations on February 1.

“Pilots who receive a postcard invitation to participate are strongly encouraged to do so because the confidential data collected offers the only source of information on the GA fleet and activity,” AOPA told members.

“This information helps determine funding for infrastructure and service needs and measures GA safety,” added Mark Larsen, NBAA’s senior manager of safety and flight operations. “The survey is also used to prepare safety statistics and calculate the rate of accidents among general aviation aircraft. The FAA needs member input to provide the most up-to-date stats available.” The survey also is used to calculate general aviation and Part 135 fatal accident rates.

Tetra Tech, an independent research firm, conducts the annual survey on behalf of the FAA.