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, 2023.
“Senator Inhofe has been the central figure in promoting and supporting general aviation on Capitol Hill for the last several decades,” said Grayson Ardies, State Director of Aeronautics for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC). “He’s been equally instrumental with ensuring aviation has a strong foothold back in his home state, Oklahoma, where he uses the Airport System on a regular basis. Not a week will go by in Oklahoma where we won’t hear of an airport pancake breakfast, weekend fly-in, or just a regular community visit that Senator Inhofe has flown into.”
AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Coon said that Sen. Inhofe is best described as a leader, a gentleman and a pilot. “General aviation is, in large part, growing and vibrant in the United States today because of the senator’s passion for flying and his years of dedicated public service to help make it so.”
Inhofe has made numerous contributions to aviation throughout his career, which spans almost three decades, that have helped the GA community as well as those in the commercial aviation sector.
Inhofe was on the front lines in the fight for Bob Hoover and other aviators with his 1999 legislation that came to be known as the “Hoover Bill,” which allows FAA certificate holders to immediately appeal emergency revocations to the National Transportation Safety Board, after the FAA made the decision to revoke Hoover’s medical certificate without cause.
Grayson said the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission commends Senator Inhofe and his leadership on a multitude of aviation issues over the many decades he’s served this great Country and the people of Oklahoma. “From introducing and passing the Pilots Bill of Rights and Third Class Medical Reform, to supporting the Federal Contract Tower Program and Aviation Workforce Development, to advocating for funding at general aviation airports across the Country, Senator Inhofe will be remembered as Mr. Aviation to all of us at the Aeronautics Commission. We wish him well in his retirement and hope to see him flying across the blue sky of Oklahoma,” said Grayson.
NBAA President Ed Bolen said the lasting impact of Sen. Inhofe’s accomplished political career – especially for the betterment of the nation’s aviation infrastructure – is testament to his dedication to public service and commitment to principles that will continue to shape this country for years to come. “The general aviation community is proud to call Sen. Inhofe not just a friend, but a champion.”
As an accomplished aviator, Inhofe brought a deep appreciation and understanding of the general aviation industry to crucial policy debates on Capitol Hill. Inhofe’s passion for aviation has forged significant gains for the sector, including the groundbreaking legislation that led to the direct passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act, which was passed during his time in the House of Representatives.
NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts noted that Senator Inhofe’s skill as a legislator and his keen understanding of the value that aviation provides to rural America helped shape, maintain, and safeguard the vibrant general aviation landscape that we enjoy across the nation today. “The Senator and his staff worked hand-in-hand with aviation stakeholders, addressing our industry’s needs—from infrastructure to workforce—every step of the way. As we wish the Senator all the best in his much-deserved retirement, we recognize his departure will leave a tremendous void in our nation’s capital.”
“Senator Inhofe has long said he was a family man first, aviator second, and politician third,” said Grayson. “He lives by those words each day and you see that throughout his support of aviation in Oklahoma. The Aeronautics Commission applauds the leadership of Senator Inhofe in serving the great community of aviation across Oklahoma and we look forward to seeing him at many fly-ins and aviation events in the near future.”
