NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 12, 2009

     State Airports May Benefit from Massive Economic Stimulus Package

(As shared by the State Chamber of Oklahoma.)

This week, the offices of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission will be
moving from its current Oklahoma City location at N.W. 36th and Classen, to

 OAOA President Jim Thrash was asked to make a brief presentation before the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission at their November monthly meeting to ask the OAC to renew their support and membership in OAOA. 

The meeting which was held at the Oklahoma Water Resources Board was conducted by Chairman Joe Harris.  Other Commissioners in attendance were Rick Armstrong, Dave Amis, and Kenneth Adams.

The kickoff of OAOA's twenty-fifth birthday year is the subject of an article in the November, 2008 issue of The Oklahoma Aviator.  Besides mentioning the founders of OAOA, the article also gives a few of the details of the 2009 conference.   An ad for OAOA also appears on the back page of the issue.

(The following historical report was written by Mr. George Hargett.           

Though he is now retired, Mr. Hargett is shown at the right

during his days as the University of Oklahoma Airport and

Research Park Administrator.  During the same time frame

This is a beautifully filmed story about some of the world's best pilots who are attending Red Flag which is an international training exercise for air forces of allied countries.  Though these pilots are considered world class, they are undergoing what is understood to be some of the most challenging training they will ever endure. Runing 48.29 minutes, this was originally an IMAX film.    Watch it free by clicking below.

They came for all different reasons, but 53 came and it was a great meeting! 

Some came to celebrate the kick-off of the 25th Birthday year of OAOA and renew friendships from earlier days.   We were honored to have past members Lois and Dana Batey, Brent and Judy Kitchen (who flew in from Missouri), Don and G. Kay Powers, and Pauline Richardson make an extra effort to join us.

 Many of the surviving Past Presidents of OAOA gathered at the October 17, 2008, Quarterly Meeting to add their support for the kick-off of the year-long 25th Birthday Celebration.   Pictured above (seated from left) are:  99-00 President Mark Kranenburg, 94-95 President Pauline Richardson, Co-Founder and 87-88 President George Hargett, Co-Founder and 83-86 President Peter Van Pelt. Original Secretary Don Powers.

Co-founders, Peter Van Pelt and George Hargett presented a draft of the proposed revisions to the OAOA Constitution & By-Laws at the October 17, 2008, Quarterly Meeting.  There were 53 in attendance for the General Membership Meeting.