When most people think of Vermont, the scenic landscapes, cows and maple syrup come to mind. Few, if any, think of it as an aviation hub.

“Vermont has actually been on the forefront of aviation since the early days of flying,” said Vermont historian Geoffery Vaughn. “When George Schmidt made a name for himself it was businessmen in Rutland who put up the financial backing for the plane. Later, Governor Hartness cemented those roots, and when he brought Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart to the state, it exposed flying to many people who had never seen it before. It had to have made a profound impact on them.”

Amie Clark of Colchester knows this. Her grandmother, Marjorie Clark, was one of the thousands who assembled at the Vermont Statehouse to see Earhart.

Photo courtesy of the Nakki Goranin collection

“My great-grandmother was a single mother. She brought my grandmother to see her in Montpelier because she knew there was something special going on. It wasn’t just about flying, it was more about teaching her that, as a woman, she could do anything she wanted to,” said Clark.

In the 1940s, World War II showcased the benefits of aviation to the American people. Shortly after, the 158th Fighter Wing was stationed in Burlington as part of the Vermont Air National Guard. At the same time the Burlington International Airport was blossoming, bringing with it a developed transportation infrastructure. Many small airports were thriving around the state.

Vermont Airports

A book is to be written on the impact Vermont’s lesser-known airports have had on the state. All the way from Springfield to Rutland into Newport, these small airstrips were the backbone of air travel in the Green Mountains. In total, Vermont has 16 public-use airfields, including the state’s juggernaut, Burlington International Airport (BTV).

In recent years, BTV has experienced tremendous growth. Since 2000, over $24 million has been invested in expansion projects including adding gates, customer service areas, and a 948-space parking garage. Many of the contractors working on the jobs were Vermonters, and a conscious effort was made to use native materials when possible.

In July 2008, BTV set a record when 79,154 passengers flew from the airport. It was the first time that figure has crossed 70,000. For the 12-month period ending in May of 2008, the airport had 90,271 aircraft operations. This averages out to 247 per day. Of those, 52 percent were categorized as “general aviation” 31 percent were air taxi services; 5 percent were military-related; and 12 percent were scheduled commercial flights.

Of the 101 aircraft based at Burlington in 2008, 50 were single-engine; 14 were multi-engine; eight were jets; 28 were military aircraft; and there was one helicopter.

Manufacturing

While the commercial aspects have a direct impact on Vermonters, perhaps the most overlooked aspect is the number of manufacturing operations that are directly related to aircraft.

According to Vermont’s flying lieutenant governor, Brian Dubie, “Small companies like GS Precision in Brattleboro, Preci-Manufacturing in Winooski and Lucas Industries in Springfield exemplify the diversity of aerospace companies that produce good jobs for Vermonters. Better-known companies like General Electric, Goodrich and IBM employ thousands of Vermonters in aerospace-related jobs. General Electric is at the industry’s forefront — developing a new breed of jet engine that will save significantly on fuel, reduce emissions dramatically, and be radically quieter. GE’s innovative new turbine blades and lighter materials will revolutionize jet engine performance, and much of it is happening in Rutland, Vermont. Goodrich in Vergennes produces cutting-edge jet fuel measuring systems for aircraft and space vehicles. IBM supplies integrated circuits for commercial and military aircraft systems.

“Twenty-seven Vermont companies supply in excess of $35 million in aircraft and space products annually — to Boeing alone! Pratt & Whitney, Pre-Tech Plastics, Vermont Aerospace, Omega Optical, Quadra-Tek/Arlington Industries and many more Vermont firms bring millions of aerospace dollars into our state each year,” he said.

All told, it is estimated that over 200 Vermont companies thrive in the aerospace and aviation sectors of the state’s economy. According to Smart Skies, commercial aviation in Vermont impacts 27,268 jobs and helps generate nearly $2 billion in economic activity in several industry categories, including: general aviation, commuter aviation, commercial transport, manufacturers, industry partners, vendors and contractors, airports, educational institutions, aeronautics and aerospace.

Beyond Manufacturing

While countless companies work on the manufacturing side of aviation in Vermont, the industry also brings financial opportunities to those who know how to look for them. This can range from providing physicals for pilots as Dr. Howard Weaver of Rutland does; to running actual flight schools like the Vermont Flight Academy. Even builders are involved. The Carriage House in White River Junction has a line of buildings that serve as hangars for personal aircraft.

Where there is industry, education will follow. Burlington Aviation Tech has teamed up with Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center and is now able to offer a two-year associate degree. Courses are offered both at the VTC home campus and at its satellite campus in Williston, located conveniently near the Burlington airport.

“As Vermont seeks to rebound from the recession, we have to work to maintain and strengthen industries that positively impact our small towns and businesses,” said Gov. James Douglas. It is easy to see that aviation and aerospace technology play an important part of this. In many ways, George Schmidt’s vision for the future has become a reality.

Christopher Brown is a regular contributor to Livin’ Magazine.