The flat economy and populist aversion to private jets as symbols of corporate excess have put general aviation into a tailspin.

Ohio - with deep roots in aviation, studded with more airports than almost anywhere in the country - is being swept into the decline.

About 15 percent of jobs and revenue tied to general aviation in Ohio will vanish this year, the Ohio Aviation Association forecasts. That's on top of a 10 percent slide in general aviation last year, mostly because of fuel costs.

Though the numbers are estimates, it's probably safe to say that Ohio stands to lose hundreds if not thousands of jobs and tens of millions in revenue connected to the general-aviation sector - which is made up of all flying aside from commercial airline and military operations.

"People aren't investing in corporate jets," said Miriam Lowe at Alcoa Inc.'s Cleveland Works, which makes aluminum aircraft components. "It's being hammered, basically."

Though business use is down, student training and private flying in single- and twin-engine aircraft is holding steady at Ohio State University Airport, director Doug Hammon said.