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OAOA Recognizes OCAP Recipients
SWO’s New Terminal Available in 2026
(Stillwater, OK) – Stillwater Regional Airport will enhance flight amenities and options in 2026 through a new 31,375 sq. ft. new terminal that is officially under construction following the groundbreaking ceremony October 1. Federal, state and local officials gathered, along with community leaders and representatives from the aviation community, Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines to mark the occasion.
“We are elated to be celebrating this monumental development with everyone and for the opportunity to bring a world-class terminal to Stillwater,” Airport Director Kellie Reed said. “We extend our gratitude to American Airlines for eight years of commercial service in Stillwater and we look forward to many continued years of that partnership.”
American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris said American Airlines wants to see its eight-year partnership with Stillwater Regional Airport continue to grow. The airline wants to provide the right services for the passengers and to ensure OSU, the community and businesses continue to flourish, he said.
Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce addressed the project’s significance to the community and its impact on economic development. The new terminal is the product of many years of effort, he said. The larger terminal will allow Stillwater to increase flight operations and continue to grow the region from which travelers flying in and out of Stillwater Regional Airport are drawn.
Having commercial air service in Stillwater has a significant impact on business and on Oklahoma State University for recruiting staff and students. The new terminal will only enhance that impact, Joyce said.
“It’s hard to overstate how big of a game-changer this is for us,” he said. “We’re so excited and so appreciative of all those who have made an effort to make this happen and are continuing the effort.”
ODAA Director Grayson Ardies emphasized the project’s statewide impact. "The groundbreaking of Stillwater Regional Airport’s new terminal is a significant milestone for Oklahoma's aviation and aerospace industry as a whole,” Ardies said. “This 31,000-square-foot facility will not only support the growth of air transportation for Stillwater but also contribute to our statewide efforts to enhance connectivity and foster economic development. By investing in infrastructure like this, we're ensuring that Oklahoma remains at the forefront of aviation innovation, meeting the needs of travelers and businesses alike.”
OSU Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray said Stillwater Regional Airport is critical not just for OSU’s fast-growing aviation program, but for accessibility for the university as it continues to grow and for OSU athletics.
Congressman Frank Lucas also touched on the connection between Stillwater Regional Airport and Oklahoma State University. The university, community and state will all benefit from continued growth and development of the airport, he said.
“Let us not forget, this is a continuing process to expand the potential of this community and of our comprehensive university,” Lucas said. “It’s not just the access to the world that our athletic department needs; it’s the access to the world that our research department needs. It’s the ability of people to come to Stillwater easily, conveniently and quickly to do their business.”
Funding for the $27 million project is provided from partners including the Federal Aviation Administration, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, and the City of Stillwater.
Stillwater Regional Airport is one of only four airports in the state to offer scheduled commercial passenger air service. The new terminal replaces a building constructed in 1952 that was retrofitted for the launch of commercial air service in 2016.
Offering modern facilities with concession space and two gates, the new terminal will serve Stillwater and the surrounding region for decades to come.
“The (new) terminal was beautifully and mindfully designed with both aviation and local Stillwater influences included from the McFarland Architects team,” Reed said.
Phase I of the project consists of the new terminal building, parking lot, and a 4-lane drop off. Further roadway improvements will be in Phase II. Completion of the terminal is expected in August 2026.
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Left to right: Pistol Pete; American Airlines Senior Consultant, Government Affairs Dale Morris; Stillwater Regional Airport Director Kellie Reed; Congressman Frank Lucas; Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce; Oklahoma State University Senior Vice President of System Affairs Kyle Wray; Stillwater Vice Mayor Amy Dzialowski; Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Executive Director Grayson Ardies; and Payne County Commissioner Zach Cavett. |
Additional event pictures are available at: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBKSA9.
Oklahoma Greenlights $520 Million, Five-Year Airport Construction Program
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission approved a $520 million, five-year program to improve the state’s airport network during its May 13 meeting. The comprehensive initiative funds 176 total infrastructure developments, including 99 specific pro-growth projects.
Running from June 1, 2026, through May 31, 2031, the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics’ (ODAA) Airport Construction Program (ACP) pools federal, state, and local funds to accelerate aviation business growth and enhance safety measures statewide.
The strategy targets infrastructure needs to attract new commercial investment and transform airports into stronger economic drivers for local communities, while ensuring aviation facilities support the state’s transportation needs.
“This plan represents a bold, pro-growth vision for Oklahoma and continues our leap into the global aerospace economy,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director. “We’re not just maintaining runways; we’re building a world-class network capable of supporting next-generation commercial aircraft and pioneering aerospace industry operations to drive our state’s economy for decades.”
Major Hangar Projects
Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport (formerly Clinton-Sherman Airport)
Infinity One will dedicate facilities to bring New Zealand-based Dawn Aerospace and its suborbital flight program to Oklahoma. The co-location agreement includes a hangar, office building, and supporting facilities so Dawn’s engineering, operations, and maintenance teams can ensure safe flight operations and rapid mission turnarounds. The state appropriated $7.5 million for the project, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Tulsa International Airport
Tulsa will construct an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hangar large enough to accommodate widebody commercial aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767. Tulsa Airport will invest $9 million, and the ODAA will contribute $6 million toward the $15 million project. Design is planned for 2027, with construction expected to begin shortly after.
Chickasha Municipal Airport
Chickasha will construct 12,000-square-foot and 10,000-square-foot hangars as part of an ODAA-led effort to increase revenue-generating storage space at airports and promote aviation business growth. The nearly $2.9 million project will be funded through contributions from the FAA, ODAA, and the City of Chickasha. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2026.
Terminal Building Construction
Ponca City Regional Airport
Ponca City will replace its outdated terminal with a new facility designed to accommodate passengers, pilots, and visitors. The nearly $13 million project will be funded by the FAA, ODAA, and the City of Ponca City. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Watonga Municipal Airport
Watonga will construct a new terminal building to replace its aging facility and support development on the airport’s west side. The project also includes a new taxiway, apron, entrance road, and utility upgrades. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2026.
Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport
Guthrie-Edmond will build a new terminal and expand its apron to replace its smaller terminal originally built in 2001. The new 7,000-square-foot facility will include a passenger waiting area, pilot lounge, offices, and classroom space. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
Runway and Taxiway Improvements
Chandler Regional Airport
Chandler’s current runway will be rehabilitated and expanded to support larger business aircraft. The combined project includes pavement rehabilitation, runway extension, and widening improvements. Construction is expected to begin in 2027.
Shawnee Regional Airport
Shawnee will rehabilitate and strengthen runway and taxiway pavements to support heavier aircraft and improve operational safety. Project design begins in late 2026, with construction expected to start in 2028.
William R. Pogue Municipal Airport (Sand Springs)
Sand Springs will begin a long-term pavement rehabilitation program to reinforce its runway and west parallel taxiway. The project will be completed in phases between 2029 and 2031 to minimize operational disruptions.
The ODAA partners with the FAA and local communities to develop a safe airport system using the 2023 Oklahoma Airport System Plan (OASP). The OASP serves as a long-term strategy to guide airport development statewide.
Oklahoma’s current and previous ACP documents can be found under the airports section of the ODAA website at oklahoma.gov/aerospace.
Aerospace Industry Facts
The Oklahoma aviation and aerospace industry produces nearly $44 billion in annual economic activity, making it the second-largest economic engine in the state. The industry supports approximately 206,000 direct and indirect jobs with a combined payroll of $11.7 billion. The average salary in the industry is $73,300, making it one of the highest-paying sectors in Oklahoma.
Pauls Valley Airport
The Pauls Valley Municipal Airport is nearing completion of its $11.7 million runway reconstruction project, funded through the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics FY26–30 Airport Construction Program.
Historic 'Blue Goose' Flight to Be Reenacted on 75th Anniversary Journey
OKLAHOMA CITY — On May 9, 1951, the Aero Commander prototype, L-3805—affectionately known as the “Blue Goose”—made aviation history with a daring non-stop flight from Tulakes Airport (now Wiley Post Airport) in Oklahoma City to Washington, D.C. Flying on a single engine with the left propeller stowed in the cabin, L-3805 demonstrated unprecedented safety and reliability, capturing national attention and earning front-page coverage in The New York Times.
Now, 75 years later, that historic journey will be honored with a commemorative reenactment flight.
On May 9, 2026, a Rockwell Jetprop Commander aircraft will depart from Wiley Post Airport and retrace the Blue Goose’s original route to Washington, D.C. The aircraft will be flown by Bruce Byerly, President of the oldest active Twin Commander Service Center, and W. Dave Amis III, former President of the first Twin Commander Service Center.
This special tribute flight celebrates not only the courage and innovation behind the original mission, but also the lasting impact of the Aero Commander on modern aviation.
Originally taking flight on April 23, 1948, the Aero Commander Model L-3805 introduced a sleek twin-engine design that set new standards for performance and safety. Its reliability ultimately led to its use in presidential travel, becoming the first aircraft type to be designated as “Air Force One” when President Dwight D. Eisenhower flew aboard it to his farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
The success of the Blue Goose paved the way for the production of the Aero Commander Model 520 in 1952 and a family of aircraft that quickly gained global recognition. Commanders became widely used for executive transport, military operations, and other specialized missions around the world.
Today, the fully restored Blue Goose stands as a symbol of aviation innovation and heritage. It is currently on display at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany, Oklahoma, just south of Wiley Post Airport.
The 75th anniversary flight serves as a tribute to a defining moment in aviation history—one that continues to inspire advancements in aircraft safety and performance to this day.
Media Contact
Dave Amis
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