The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's mission is to promote aviation, which includes ensuring that the needs of commerce and communities across Oklahoma are met by the state's 110 public airports that comprise the state’s air transportation system, and ensuring the growth and vitality of the state's aerospace industry.
 

LATEST OAC & STATE AVIATION NEWS

State Aviation Head Lauds DOT’s Decision to Fund Contract Towers Through Remainder of Fiscal Year - May 10, 2013

Victor Bird, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, is applauding Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s announcement earlier today that the Federal Aviation Administration will keep open 149 air traffic control towers across the U.S. through at least Sept. 30.  

“The decision officially announcing that the federal government will fund air traffic control tower operations for the remainder of the current fiscal year is certainly good news to the millions of people who use commercial and general aviation aircraft to get to their intended destinations,” Bird said. “There have been a number of people and organizations who have worked tirelessly over the last several months to convince federal officials of just how dangerous closing those towers would be. We can now exhale and begin to work on making sure funding is in place for fiscal year 2014 and beyond.” Read more.

Aeronautics Commission Honors Oklahoma Student for Second Place Finish in National Aviation Art Contest - May 10, 2013

The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission on Thursday officially recognized Newalla third grader Thomas Buchanan for finishing second in the 2013 National Aviation Art Contest. He is the first Oklahoman to place at the national level since 1994.

Buchanan, who attends Clara Reynolds Elementary School in Harrah, recently won first place in Oklahoma’s Aviation Art Contest in the Junior category (ages 6-9) and advanced to nationals along with eight other young artists from Oklahoma. He was the lone Oklahoman to place at the national level. Read more.

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Commission Director Bird Applauds Congress’ Fix for Flight Delays and Control Tower Closures - April 26, 2013

The U.S. House of Representatives moved quickly this morning to follow the Senate’s lead after it passed a last minute deal Thursday night to eliminate furloughs of the nation’s air traffic controllers. The Senate passed the bill with Unanimous Consent and it passed the House with a 361-41 vote. The action, after thousands of flight delays in the past week, has caused frustration and angst for the traveling public. Read more.

Oklahoman Takes 2nd in National Aviation Art Contest, Advances to International Competition - April 11, 2013

Thomas Buchanan, a Newalla resident and fourth grader at Clara Reynolds Elementary in Harrah, has finished in second place in the U.S. Aviation Art Contest. His original artwork (shown left) has now been forwarded to Lausanne, Switzerland, where it will compete against other winners around the globe in the 2013 International Aviation Art Contest.

Buchanan, 9, recently won first place in Oklahoma’s Aviation Art Contest in the Junior category (ages 6-9) and advanced to nationals with eight other young artists from Oklahoma who finished either first, second or third in their respective age divisions. He was the lone Oklahoman to place at the national level. Read more.
 

Southeastern Aviation hosts Alumni Reunion, Awards Night - April 10, 2013

The Southeastern Oklahoma State University Aviation Sciences Institute hosted the annual Aviation Awards night and Alumni Reunion Saturday.

The day’s activities began as alumni and students enjoyed a round of golf at Silverado Golf Course. The evening was spent reminiscing with fellow alumni and discussing career opportunities with current aviation students. Read more.
 

Aeronautics Commission Awards State Grant to Ada Airport for Pavement Improvements - April 9, 2013

During the recent Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission meeting, Ada Municipal Airport was awarded a $92,000 Capital Improvement Program grant to reconstruct its taxilane pavement.

“The Commission is very pleased to provide this CIP grant to Ada,” said Victor Bird, director of the Aeronautics Commission. “Ada has been extremely good to work with and it is committed to providing Oklahomans and businesses located around that part of the state with a top-notch, safe airport. We are looking forward to working with them even further on other airport projects tentatively scheduled to begin later this year or in 2014.” Read more.

Aviation Events Calendar

May 11, 2013
Oklahoma Pilots Association May Fly Away will be held at Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport. Start time for the event, which includes a movie, is 6 p.m. For more information, please contact Roger Walton at 405-219-5149 or e-mail rwxact@yahoo.com.

May 11 & June 11, 2013
Ardmore Pancake Breakfast will be held at Lakeland Aviation, 620 General Drive, Suite 5, in Ardmore, Okla. Call toll free 1-800-687-9588 for more information.

May 16, 2013
Oklahoma Pilots Association Board meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the Page Building at Wiley Post Airport. For more information, please contact Roger Walton at 405-219-5149 or e-mail rwxact@yahoo.com.

May 18, 2013
EAA Chapter 10 Learn to Fly Day will be held at Gundy's Airport in Owasso. Anyone wishing to take a free flight with a licensed pilot will be able to do so from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition, EAA Chapter 10 members will be available to answer questions. Complimentary hotdogs and drinks will be served. For more information, visit www.10.eaachapter.org.

June 1, 2013
Ponca City Aviation Booster Fly-in Breakfast will take place at the Ponca City Municipal Airport. For more information, call 580-767-0470 or e-mail airport@poncacityok.gov.

June 1, 2013
Pauls Valley Hamburger Lunch Fly-in will be held at Pauls Valley Municipal Airport. For more information call 405-238-7338 or e-mail pvairport@suddenlinkmail.com.

June 6, 2013
Oklahoma Pilots Association Dinner and Meeting will be held at Oklahoma City's Wiley Post Airport beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the C.E. Page Building. For more information, please contact Roger Walton at 405-219-5149 or e-mail rwxact@yahoo.com.

June 15, 2013
Oklahoma Pilots Association June Fly Away will take place at McAlester Regional Airport and Pete's Place in Krebs. Start time for the event is 2:30 p.m. For more information, please contact Roger Walton at 405-219-5149 or e-mail rwxact@yahoo.com.

June 18, 2013
Alva Regional Airport Fly-in Breakfast will take place at Alva Regional Airport. For more information, please call (580) 327-6778 or e-mail alvaair@sbcglobal.net.

June 20, 2013
Oklahoma Pilots Association Board Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the C.E. Page Building at Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City .For more information, please contact Roger Walton at 405-219-5149 or e-mail rwxact@yahoo.com.

June 25, 2013
Enid Fly-in Breakfast will take place at Enid Woodring Regional Airport. Call 580-234-5476 or e-mail wdgairport@enid.org for more information.