Oklahoma aviation industry ascends on Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY – The contentious business of lawmaking came to a brief halt April 26 as more than 60 aviation industry leaders made their way to the Capitol building in Oklahoma for AERO Oklahoma — an Aviation and Aerospace Advocacy Day.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, this year’s advocacy day was expanded from one floor of the Capitol building to four, and tripled the number of exhibitors to 65. The 10-person agency also hosted a community-partner catered lunch that fed over 350 legislators, exhibitors and special guests.

At the same time, two industry groups visited with more than 30 legislators and the Speaker of the House, advocating not only for aerospace company interests, but also for the preservation and development of the state airport system.

The purpose of the event was to recognize Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace industry as a vital economic engine for the state, state aviation officials said, noting it is the state’s second largest industry.

The event was an opportunity for Oklahoma military, aerospace companies, private and commercial pilots, airport managers, municipal officials, drone pilots, educators, flying clubs, and the many users of the Oklahoma Airport System to meet one-on-one with state legislators and other elected officials to remind them of Oklahoma’s strong aviation heritage and show them firsthand how the industry continues to solidify the state as a worldwide leader in aviation, aerospace, and aerospace and defense.

Prior to the start of the event, during morning legislative proceedings, exhibitors and attendees were recognized in the gallery by State Senator Paul Rosino, District 45, on behalf of his colleagues in the Oklahoma State Senate.

Then, with the sound of the “Governor’s Own” 145th Army Band brass section playing Oklahoma, exhibit booths opened mid-morning with attendees eager to hear the official address from Governor Mary Fallin as she welcomed the large crowd with remarks about the Aviation & Aerospace industry producing just under $44 billion in annual economic activity, supporting 206,000 jobs totaling an $11.7 billion payroll.

Lt. Gen. Lee K. Levy II, Air Force Sustainment Center commander, headquartered at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, then spoke regarding the impact of military aviation with a $19.3 billion annual economic activity at the bases and installations in the state.

Late morning, among the Greco-Roman architecture on the Great Rotunda, the conclusion of formality was traded for intermittent laughter as children played with digital flight simulators and business men and women visited with one another and lawmakers about their role in the aerospace industry. Common sights were wide-eyed persons of all ages checking out detailed model aircraft and placing trinket-sized planes in their pockets, officials report.

Presented by the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission in the spirit of aviation advancement with the Oklahoma Pilots Association, community partners were American Airlines, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), AAR, CEC, Stillwater Regional Airport, and Delta Airport Consultants.

Many of the state’s top aerospace entities participated in AERO Oklahoma, including from Oklahoma City AAR Aircraft Services, Field Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Dow Aero, Oklahoma City Airport Authority, the Oklahoma Air National Guard and Tinker Air Force Base (OKC Air Force Sustainment Center). Participating from Tulsa was American Airlines, BizJet International, NORDAM, FlightSafety International and Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust.

Other exhibitors included the 99s Museum of Women Pilots; Oklahoma City Chapter of 99s; Acorn Growth Companies; Ada City School District Aviation Project; Alliance for Aviation Across America; Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA); Air Force Association (AFA); Custom Equipment Company (CEC); Cirrus Aircraft; Consolidated Turbine Specialist; CP&Y; Delta Airport Consultants; Eagle Vision Drones; FAA Center of Excellence; Federal Aviation Administration FAASTeam; Federal Aviation Administration/DUI/DWI Program; First Robotics-Oklahoma; General Aviation Modifications, Inc. (GAMI); Green Country Aircraft; Grove Regional Airport; KOCO Sky 5; National Business Aviation Association (NBAA); Oklahoma Agricultural Aviation Association (OAAA); Oklahoma Airport Operator’s Association (OAOA); Oklahoma Bid Assistance Network; Oklahoma Career Tech Aerospace; Oklahoma Department of Commerce; Oklahoma Pilots Association (OPA); Oklahoma State University; Oklahoma Wing Civil Air Patrol; OSU Flying Aggies; OSU’s Student Organization for Space Exploration (S.O.S.E); OU Sooner Flight Academy; RS&H, Inc.; Southeastern Oklahoma State University Graduate Program in Aerospace Administration & Logistics; Stafford Air & Space Museum; STARBASE Oklahoma; Stillwater Regional Airport; Sundance Airport; Tulsa Air and Space Museum; University of Oklahoma CASS; University of Oklahoma Department of Aviation; and Vigilant Aerospace Systems.