Five Oklahoma High Schools Lead Aviation Education Charge, Named Schools of Excellence

There is a grass-roots aeronautics movement taking off in Oklahoma classrooms, and the aviation and aerospace industry is counting on an innovative program to reach new heights. The 4-year “You Can Fly” High School Curriculum developed by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is being adopted by independent school districts at a record pace […]

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OAC, Aviation Associations Recognize Senator Inhofe for Decades of Service to GA

Photo above – Oklahoma Executive Director of Commerce, Brent Kisling, left, greets EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton, and Sen. Inhofe. Photos by Kim Stevens. The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission along with various aviation associations were quick to recognize Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.) for his many contributions following his announcement last week to retire from Congress on January 3, […]

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Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Reflects on Successful 2021, Adds Seven Hangar Projects

At its December meeting, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission elected officers for calendar year 2022. At-large Commissioner Jerry Hunter will serve as Chair, District 4 Commissioner Lindy Ritz will serve as Vice-Chair, and District 3 Commissioner Charles Ortega will serve as Secretary. State Director of Aeronautics Grayson Ardies reported on the state of the aviation, aerospace, […]

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Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Awarded Grant for Aircraft Pilots Program Totaling $491K

The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) was awarded s $491,000 grant to establish an aviation workforce development program under Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. US Sen. Jim Inhofe worked closely with then-President Trump to establish the grant program for Aircraft Pilots. This funding will launch a statewide program that includes the training […]

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Sold-Out Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day Attended by More Than 650

The fifth annual Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day, held Friday, November 5th at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City, was attended by more than 650 people. The sold-out event which featured keynote speaker Astronaut Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk was presented by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC), in partnership with the Oklahoma Airport Operators […]

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Kelly Fincannon Hired as OAC Chief Airport Engineer

The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission has announced Kelly Fincannon as the agency’s Chief Airport Engineer. His focus is on airport planning, design, construction, and project management with a mission to provide continued development and improvement of the Oklahoma Airport System, working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, airports, consultants, and construction contractors. Kelly earned an MS […]

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Young Named Airports Division Manager for Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission

Nick Young has been named Airports Division Manager for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. Young joined the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission in October 2019 as an Aviation Program Manager.    As head of the Division, he will be responsible for the agency’s many airport programs including the 5010 airport safety and standards inspection program at Oklahoma’s public-use, […]

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