A Support General Aviation license plate will soon be available for purchase in Florida because of the passionate efforts of three aviators with the support of their local EAA chapter and AOPA.
Local Florida pilots Richard (Rick) Golightly, Dr. Ian S. Goldbaum, and Joseph M. Hurtuk bonded over their shared interest in aviation and determination to give back to the industry and their community. They collectively designed a Support General Aviation specialty license plate to reflect the economic impact general aviation has on the state, which is ranked second in the United States for the total number of pilots, aircraft, and airports. Soon after the design creation, the three pilots brought in another EAA Chapter 203 member, pilot Nick Zordan to develop a new website to provide information on how to purchase the specialty license plate.
Proceeds from the sale of the specialty license plate will help fund aviation-related scholarships for Floridians managed through the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland, Florida.
The pilots worked and received approval from EAA Chapter 203 President Bill Siegel and his executive board to move ahead with the project. They also worked with the AOPA southern regional manager to help collaborate with Florida elected officials to promote the Support General Aviation specialty license plate.
Integral to the legislative efforts to pass the plate through the Florida House and Senate were State Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-District 83) and State Rep. Doug Bankson (R-District 39). Thanks to their ongoing collaboration, the bill has passed through the Florida legislature and is now headed to the governor’s desk for signature, which is anticipated soon.
Special thanks from our three pilots go to the legislative aides of Sen. Harrell and Rep. Bankson, who took on this challenge to make this effort possible.
Once the bill is signed, coordination with the state to get these plates to the public begins. Pre-sales for the plates are slated to begin October 1, 2024, and 3,000 sales within two years are required before a single unit can be produced.
Look for our soon-to-be-activated website, floridageneralaviation.com, designed by EAA Chapter 203 pilot Nick Zordan for how to order your Support General Aviation specialty license plate from your county tax collector
By Scott Thatcher, EAA Chapter 203