The general aviation industry is protected because it's part of the pilot training pipeline, and that is important because airplanes (both commercial and milita

The general aviation industry is protected because it's part of the pilot training pipeline, and that is important because airplanes (both commercial and military) have a great deal of importance to governments. About 5% of the American GDP is attributed to commercial aviation. Compare that figure to the number of deaths caused by leaded avgas, and you don't need conspiracy theories to explain the outcome.