Oklahoma City Soars to New Heights During Oklahoma’s First Aerospace Week
Oklahoma City, OK - The skies of Oklahoma City were filled with excitement and innovation during the Oklahoma’s first Aerospace Week, made possible through a collaborative effort between the Oklahoma City Innovation District (OKCID) and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA). This partnership brought together the region's dynamic aerospace industry and highlighted its bright future.
The week kicked off with an OKCID Tech Talk Happy Hour, sponsored by Oklahoma Aces. Opening remarks were provided by Grayson Ardies, Director of the ODAA, and Vince Howie, State Director of Aerospace & Defense. Wilder Systems aerospace robotics and Firehawk Aerospace, both start-ups financed by local Oklahoma City venture capital firms, delved into their latest advancements. Wilder showcased their robotic technology, shown to reduce production time by over 50%, while Firehawk discussed the potential of hybrid rocket engines fueled by 3D printing technology.
On Tuesday, OKICD hosted an Innovative Training Symposium that brought together individuals from across Oklahoma's aerospace and tech industry to facilitate discussion and collaboration that reflects on current issues existing within the aerospace sector. This symposium featured Jim Bridenstine, former NASA Administrator, as the keynote speaker with introductory remarks from Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. Presentations, along with riveting Q&A segments, focused on AR/VR advancements, AI technology trends and cybersecurity risks that are associated with these rapidly evolving innovations.
A panel of visionaries, including Kinsley Jordan (Moderator), Dr. Carla Hackworth (FAA/CAMI), James Grimsley (Choctaw Nation), Eric Corey (NIAR), Jeff Price (UTD) and Daniel Bolin (Tinker) discussed initiatives aimed at breaking silos and shaping the future aerospace workforce. The second half of the symposium was led by the UAS Cluster Initiative and focused on breakout sessions where participants discussed current challenges and collaborated on pinpointing innovative solutions, fueling the industry’s growth and success in this modern world. Key sponsors of this symposium were ODAA, Oklahoma ACES, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE), UAS Cluster Initiative and the Greater OKC Chamber.
Wednesday marked the annual Aerospace Advocacy Day at the Oklahoma State Capitol, presented by ODAA, where over 1,000 attendees met with legislators and elected officials, advocating for our state’s second-largest industry.
On Thursday, nearly 100 public school students across the Oklahoma City metro were at the forefront of discovery during Aero Student Day at Boeing, where the high school students observed cutting-edge technology used in Boeing’s Advanced Visualization and Immersive Development (AVID) lab, learned from a panel of Boeing site executives (one being a graduate of Millwood High School), engaged with Future U STEM activities where they made their own robots and embarked on an eye-opening tour of the High Bay. Here, they witnessed firsthand the historic B-52 Bomber and how Boeing engineers are working to modernize and keep the 70-year-old aircraft flying for another 30-plus years.
Friday included the groundbreaking and expansion of a new 3-bay hangar at the Will Rogers International Airport. This expansion, covering 82,000 square feet, has brought a substantial boost to Oklahoma's aviation and aerospace industry, with a projection of 225 jobs created and increased maintenance capabilities for Alaska Airlines. Governor Matt Pinnell and Senator Paul Rosino graced the event, marking it as a significant milestone in Oklahoma's journey as a leader in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Concluding the week, Scissortail Park incorporated their annual Wind and Kite Festival as part of Aerospace Week with the addition of interactive STEM activities, such as a flight simulator provided by the FAA. This public event seamlessly blended fun and learning, proudly showcasing the possibilities within aerospace and related fields that exist in Oklahoma.
Aerospace Week 2024 was a resounding success, uniting industry leaders, educators and enthusiasts of all ages to share a collective vision for the future of aerospace in Oklahoma. This event marks just the beginning of our journey. OKCID is delighted to announce that March 31 to April 5, 2025, will host Oklahoma's second-annual Aerospace Week, building upon the momentum of our inaugural success.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Emma Anderson
Marketing Manager
emma.anderson@okcinnovation.com
Oklahoma City Innovation District