Air and Space Forces Association Gerrity Chapter Honors Tinker Airmen and local Academia; Names Shelton Member of the Year
 Each year the Air and Space Forces Association honors the outstanding achievements of men and women throughout the United States Air Force, government, academia and the aerospace industry. The Association presents the awards at local AFA chapter and regional forums.
Nominations for AFA national aerospace awards are solicited from the United States Air Force, members and leaders of AFA, the aerospace industry, and U.S. citizens or organizations which have a deep interest in aerospace activities.
At its annual awards breakfast on Monday, June 6, the Air and Space Forces Association Gerrity Chapter recognized Sandra Shelton as the chapter’s 2022 Member of the Year. Shelton serves in a volunteer capacity as the organizations Vice President of Community Partners. Read More >>
For more information visit AFA Gerrity Chapter 215.
Several Aviation and Aerospace Bills Signed into Oklahoma Law
With the conclusion of the Regular Session of the 2022 Legislative Session, the Aeronautics Commission and the aviation and aerospace industry are celebrating several critical pieces of legislation being signed into law. Read More >>
Farewell to our friend Bill Khourie, the Father of the first commercial space launch certification in the United States, and Oklahoma's highest idea...
William "Bill" Khourie was born January 6th, 1950 in Memphis, Tennessee and lost his battle with cancer on May 31st, 2022 at his home in Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 72.
Because of Bill Khourie's love of airplanes as a young boy, he began pursuing a career in aeronautics. Throughout his years he flew commercially, privately, and owned his own plane flying for business and pleasure all throughout the United States. Bill's pursuit of flying was the driving force in many of his accomplishments including finding the first DC-3 to carry passengers and returning it to the United States, being appointed to Oklahoma's Governor's Task Force on Aerospace Education, appointed to Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Governor's Commendation for Outstanding Service to the State of Oklahoma, being cited by the University Center at Tulsa for his commitment to advancing lifetime learning through aeronautics and aerospace education, instrumental in the repeal of the Commercial Space Act of 1998, and being appointed as the Director of the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority.
In a public post, Commander John Herrington, NASA Astronaut, penned these words...
"I was so incredibly fortunate to meet Bill when I first returned to Oklahoma after I retired from NASA and Navy. As the Chief Test Pilot for a new commercial space company called Rocketplane, I worked closely with Bill as we began to design and build a commercial space vehicle. At the time, Bill was the Director of the Oklahoma Spaceport Industry Development Authority (OSIDA). We were planning on testing and flying a space vehicle from the Burns Flat Facility in western Oklahoma. Bill was entirely responsible for earning the first commercial space launch certification in the United States (US). Working closely with the Rocketplane team and the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Bill worked tirelessly to earn this coveted certification from the FAA. Our team at Rocketplane was deeply appreciative of Bill´s work and his enthusiasm to help facilitate the first operational horizontal launch facility for a commercial vehicle in the US. It is my hope that history will show how vital Bill was to this effort even though commercial space applications were in their infancy. Today, it is a common place effort across the US and Bill was responsible for making it possible in Oklahoma."
John B. Herrington
Friend
 CareerTech Aerospace Video Series Focuses On Career Opportunities
Oklahoma CareerTech launched their "Clear for Takeoff: Get Trained in Oklahoma Aerospace" video series featuring careers in Oklahoma's aerospace industry. Over 40 videos will illustrate Oklahomans working and training in aviation and aerospace. These vignettes will be distributed to 350 school districts statewide to encourage students to explore aviation and aerospace careers.
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Oklahoma Aeronautics airport division experts Kelly, Doug and Ben went to Stroud, Cleveland and Skiatook in the latter part of May to perform a pavement inspection where the team inspected 64 sample units in all three airports. In Skiatook, the airport demonstrated the use of a drone to gather critical airport information. |
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The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission attended Napa Nites at South Grand Lake Regional Airport in Ketchum with Senator Micheal Bergstrom, Senator Marty Quinn and Luke Holland with US Senator Jim Inhofe’s office. SGLRA was a sod grass strip runway that now is a vibrant jet-capable thriving airport including a 5,200′ x 75′ lighted runway. Fly, 1K8! |
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OAC’s Paula Kedy visited KADM in Ardmore this week for Aviation Camp 22! Many thanks to pilots from Ardmore, Ada, and Duncan for providing Young Eagle Flights for 31 students! Congratulations Southern Tech, Ardmore Development Authority, and community partners for a successful event! |
The Okie Derby Proficiency Rally will be held at Sundance Airport on Saturday, August 20. They have set a goal of having twenty planes entered this year. Support the Oklahoma Chapter of 99s and Register Now!
Get Ready for the Oshkosh of Unmanned - the Thunderbird Drone Festival is on the Launch Pad...
Visit their website at Thunderbird Drone Festival and get tickets today.
 Green Country Aero Fest
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State Aviation and Aerospace News
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JOURNAL RECORD - Videos to showcase careers in aerospace
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