Student Flight Day Welcomes over One Thousand to Tulsa
By Sandra Shelton
Tulsa, Oklahoma — The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Collaborated with Tulsa Air and Space Museum, Tulsa International Airport, the 138th Fighter Wing, the Air and Space Forces Association of Oklahoma, and American Airlines to host Student Flight Day in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The day began at Tulsa Air and Space Museum, located on Tulsa International Airport, with a pep rally to get the students energized and excited about the aviation and aerospace industry. The overall Student Flight Day event focused on introducing students to the exciting fields of aviation, aerospace, and aeronautics, educating them on career opportunities, and bringing awareness to the many diverse fields within the industry.
The event comes after Oklahoma ranked #1 in the nation for the number of schools teaching the "You Can Fly" curriculum from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) as well as the Choose Aerospace maintenance curriculum. These curriculums are designed to introduce students to the foundational principles of aviation and aerospace as well as promote and support the various careers available in the industry. For the 2023-2024 school year, 87 schools are teaching the AOPA program and nine schools are teaching the Choose Aerospace program.
Over 1,000 students attended this special day to participate in aviation rallies and tours and hear from leaders in the industry. Students enjoyed a keynote message from aviation advocate Matt Steward who serves as a First Officer for American Airlines on the Airbus A320. His aviation journey began when he was 8 years old when he participated in the Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program. Steward shared that he took that flight in a Wilga aircraft in Sulphur Springs, TX, and never looked back. With over 5,000 hours of flight time, he looks forward to the next hour and the people he will meet. He currently owns and operates a Cessna 150 based at the 2K9 airport, in Haskell, OK.
Students were introduced to career and lifestyle possibilities in aviation and aerospace through meeting role models, exploring airplanes, seeing the sights and sounds of being at the airport, piloting flight simulators, as well as learning about aircraft maintenance, the physics of flight, flight safety, aviation medicine, military aviation, and air traffic control.
Students also toured aviation assets at the 138 Fighter Wing which is part of the Oklahoma Air National Guard. The wing currently flies the Block 42 version of the F-16C and F-16D Fighting Falcon. Students also learned about the state mission of the Wing to support the Governor of Oklahoma with units organized, equipped, and trained in the protection of life and property, and the preservation of peace, order, and public safety.
Paula Kedy, Aero Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission led the charge for the day which included over 30+ schools teaching various aerospace programs across the state. Kedy is responsible for developing statewide programs and meaningful STEM opportunities for students and educators. “Students were encouraged to introduce themselves to exhibitors and to share their future academic plans during the six rotations which guided the students throughout the museum and fighter wing campuses,” said Kedy. “This day is designed to bring every aerospace opportunity to one location so that students can explore the various careers.”
“Oklahoma has pushed the throttle forward to the firewall on energizing our student programs and events that are focused on aerospace and aviation careers,” said Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. “We must continue to support today’s students and make them aware of these opportunities to ensure our aerospace industry has a flourishing workforce.”
Schools that attended included Ada, Atoka, Bartlesville, Broken Arrow Vanguard, Byng, Chisholm, the Alliance of Christian Homeschoolers (COACH), Collinsville, Deer Creek, Educators for Christian Homeschoolers of Oklahoma, Enid, Hominy, Ketchum, McAlester, Miami, Mid-Del Tech, Muskogee, Norman, Owasso, Pawhuska, Pryor, Putnam City, Sand Springs, Tahlequah, Tri-County Tech, Tulsa Tech, Tulsa Union, Watts, Weatherford, Western Heights, and Wynnewood.
Other exhibitors included the Oklahoma Air National Guard, Oklahoma Army National Guard, Oklahoma State University Flying Aggies, University of Oklahoma Aviation Program, and Spartan College.