General aviation is by far the largest segment of aviation in our country, made up of a fleet of aircraft totaling almost 200,000. And certainly enjoyment of aviation is nothing to be defensive about. Aviation, like camping, boating, and other leisure activities, is a proper use of resources. One of the most effective ways in which to demonstrate the magnitude of general aviation is to briefly compare its operational numbers with those of the air carriers. While general aviation has a fleet of aircraft totaling almost 200,000, the air carrier fleet totals about 6,000.
General aviation flies almost four billion air miles every year.
The air carriers log about five billion. General aviation logs 30.1 million flight hours a year. Air carriers log fewer, about 17.2 million. General aviation aircraft made 48 million flights. In 1991, the air carriers made 10 million.