More than two dozen communities across the state will see an increase in construction activity at their local airports over the next several years as well as the jobs that come with such infrastructure work. During its recent meeting in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission approved its three-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP). The CIP […]
Oklahoma
Aviation and Aerospace Industry Propelling State, Nation
By Victor Bird “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” With those words, Neil Armstrong told Americans and the world that the U.S. had won the Space Race. America’s best – its technical and skilled workforce, industry and men and women in uniform – had met President Kennedy’s challenge to land […]
AVIATION: THE FIRST WORLD WIDE WEB
By Victor Bird Today, we take it for granted that we can get on an airplane in Oklahoma City and go halfway around the world to Singapore in a little over 24 hours. Hard to believe that it was just 80 […]
Aeronautics Commission Approves $800,000 in Grants for Oklahoma Airports
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) recently approved Capital Improvement Program grants totaling nearly $800,000 for pavement projects at airports in Poteau, Tulsa and Claremore. “These airports are critical to their local communities insofar as commerce, medical care, law enforcement and flight training. These grants will ensure that the airports are safe and meeting the needs of these communities,” said […]
Aeronautics Commission Selects New Officers for 2013-2014
Blackwell Oklahoma’s Joe Harris (shown at right) has been selected chairman of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission for fiscal year 2014. He succeeds Dr. David Conway of Durant whose term as chairman recently ended. Harris, who previously served as chairman in 2008-09, will lead the seven-member board that is responsible for encouraging, fostering and assisting in the development of aviation […]
Amendment to law protects Oklahoma private airstrip owners
The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) has announced that Oklahoma’s Governor Mary Fallin (R) signed HB 1009 on May 13, adding aviation and fly-ins to the state’s recreational use statute covering non-public lands. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Mike Brown (D) sailed through both houses with no opposing votes. The new legislation essentially protects private airstrip […]
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Awards Grant to Ada Airport
During the recent Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission meeting, Ada Municipal Airport was awarded a $92,000 Capital Improvement Program grant to reconstruct its taxilane pavement. “We find ourselves in a unique and exciting time in Ada,” Ada City Manager Cody Holcomb told the commissioners. “We’re literally busting at the seams. Our hangars are full, and at the […]
Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission Votes to Close Lake Murray State Park Airport
By a 6-0 vote at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission voted to move forward with the closure of the Lake Murray State Park Airport. “Although the action may eventually have monetary costs, it was the right thing to do,” said Commission Director Victor Bird. The Commission had previously considered closing the […]
State Official Says Closure of Oklahoma ATC Towers Threatens Safety
The Federal Aviation Administration’s announcement this week that it is closing five air traffic control towers in Oklahoma next month and one in September due to budget cuts has state officials and others in the general aviation community greatly concerned about the safety of the flying public. During a conference call on Tuesday, federal officials […]
Armstrong Reappointed to Six-Year Term on Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
Rick Armstrong, vice president and general manager for FlightSafety International Simulation in Broken Arrow, has been reappointed to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission by Gov. Mary Fallin. Armstrong’s term expires Dec. 31. 2018. Armstrong (shown at right) said he was very pleased to have been appointed to the Commission four years ago and then to be […]



