WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Aviation Subcommittee has a new vice chairman who is knowledgeable about aviation and from a state with a history of recognizing the importance of general aviation airports: Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio).

From 1994 to 1998 Boccieri was in the U.S. Air Force flying C-130 Hercules aircraft. Now a major in the Air Force Reserves, he served eight years in the Ohio state legislature before coming to the U.S. House of Representatives, taking office in January 2009.

Over the years, the state of Ohio has recognized what airports mean to the state’s economy. Decades ago, the state set out to have one airport in each county.

Charles Spence is GAN’s Washington, D.C., correspondent.