Oklahoma Aviation Day recognized

klahoma was one of the original pioneers of the aviation and aerospace industry, which is why in 2017, I partnered with the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission in authoring legislation proclaiming August 19 as Oklahoma Aviation and Aerospace Day. This special day runs concurrent with National Aviation Day, but we wanted Oklahomans to recognize and celebrate what has become our state’s second largest industry, contributing $44 billion annually to our economy and supporting 120,000 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly. We’ve now also become a global hotspot for the aviation industry, serving as home base to more than 1,100 companies, focused on everything from research and development to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). 

We’re incredibly blessed to be home to the world’s two largest MRO facilities. Tulsa boasts the largest commercial airline MRO facility, the American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering Center that employs more than 6,000 Oklahomans. Tinker Air Force Base has the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, which is the largest Department of Defense air depot with more than 26,000 employees.

We also have more than 135 public-use airports, which includes two international airports. We also have five military bases— our own Fort Sill, Altus AFB, McAlester Army Ammunition Plant, Tinker AFB, and Vance AFB—along with two air national guard facilities. The industry doesn’t end there, though, as we also have the Oklahoma Air & Space Port, one of twelve nationwide, which is a public-use airport and industrial airpark that has facilities for aerospace testing, research and development, flights and launches. This unique spaceport is the only one nationwide with an FAA-approved spaceflight corridor not in restricted airspace or Military Operation Areas (MOAs) and also has one of the nation’s longest and widest runways (13,503-foot by 300-foot) available for both civilian and military use.

The industry is booming, and we’re not letting our foot off the pedal. The Legislature has also worked with industry leaders, Career Tech, higher ed and our public school systems to ensure our students have every opportunity to be a part of this exciting industry. Oklahoma ranks first nationally for high schools involved in aero education thanks to the creation of the ‘You Can Fly’ curriculum developed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). This free program is now offered at more than 85 schools statewide, including Lawton High School and the Great Plains Tech Center. Students can take flying lessons, get their pilot’s license, and take classes to prepare for careers as engineers, mechanics and more. This is such an incredible opportunity for our youth and the future of this industry.

As part of the special day, I was pleased to get to speak at the special celebration organized by 5B Aviation FBO at the Duncan Municipal Airport about what we’re doing in the Legislature to further grow and support this outstanding industry. Guests also got to hear from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission and other local officials about the latest accomplishments and news in the industry. We’re grateful for companies like 5B Aviation who have helped put Oklahoma on the map for this amazing industry. 

We have so much to celebrate in aviation and aerospace from our past, present, and future. We have a rich aviation history and many pioneers and innovators whose bravery and creativity have forever changed this industry and who deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Thank you again for the privilege of serving our district and the State of Oklahoma in the Senate. If I can be of any assistance, you can reach me at (405) 521-5563 or Chris.Kidd@oksenate.gov.