Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission
Encyclopedia
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission (OAC) is an agency of state government that is responsible for promoting aviation in the State. Under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
, the Commission fosters the growth of the aerospace industry and ensures that the needs of business and communities in the State are met by the State's airports. The Commission encourages the establishment and maintenance of public airports, including the preservation and improvement of the State's 114 public airports.
The Commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
, serving six year terms. Five members are appointed from among Oklahoma's five congressional districts with the remaining two appointed at-large. The Commission is responsible for appointing the State Director of Aeronautics to serve at its pleasure. The current Director is Victor Bird, having served in that position since December 2002.
The Commission was established in 1963 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon
.
in 1963. Its predecessor was the Oklahoma Aviation Commission.
. Under current Governor of Oklahoma
Mary Fallin
, Gary Ridley
is serving as the Secretary.
The Commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
. Each member serves a six year term. One member is appointed from among each of Oklahoma's congressional districts with the remaining two appointed from the State at-large. To be appointed to the Commission, a member must be a citizen of the State with at least three years experience in aeronautics activities. The Governor may remove any member of the Commission for inefficieny or neglect of duty.
, the members of the Commission are as follows:
in order to function. Instead, the Commission is funded by a dedicated 0.0008% tax on motor fuels bought for aircraft use and a dedicated 3.25% tax on the purchase of aircraft. Those two dedicated taxes make up 80% of the Commission's annual budget. The remaining 20% comes from federal grants and other fees for the Commission's services. About half of that budget is dedicated to providing assistance to local airport improvement projects. The remainder is used to operate the agency and to provide educational activities to inform the public about aeronautics.
Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation
The Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
, the Commission fosters the growth of the aerospace industry and ensures that the needs of business and communities in the State are met by the State's airports. The Commission encourages the establishment and maintenance of public airports, including the preservation and improvement of the State's 114 public airports.
The Commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, serving six year terms. Five members are appointed from among Oklahoma's five congressional districts with the remaining two appointed at-large. The Commission is responsible for appointing the State Director of Aeronautics to serve at its pleasure. The current Director is Victor Bird, having served in that position since December 2002.
The Commission was established in 1963 during the term of Governor Henry Bellmon
Henry Bellmon
Henry Louis "Harry" Bellmon was an American Republican politician from Oklahoma. He was a member of the Oklahoma Legislature, the 18th and 23rd Governor of Oklahoma , and a two-term United States Senator.-Service in World War II:Bellmon was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and graduated from Billings...
.
History
The Commission was created by the Oklahoma LegislatureOklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
in 1963. Its predecessor was the Oklahoma Aviation Commission.
Leadership
The Aeronautics Commission is under the supervision of the Secretary of TransportationOklahoma Secretary of Transportation
The Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation is a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Cabinet. The Secretary is appointed by the Governor, with the consent of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve at the pleasure of the Governor...
. Under current Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin
Mary Fallin is the 27th and current Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. She was a U.S. Representative for from 2007 until 2011....
, Gary Ridley
Gary Ridley (transport director)
Gary Ridley, PE, is an American engineer from the state of Oklahoma who is the current Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, having served since he was appointed by Governor of Oklahoma Brad Henry in 2009...
is serving as the Secretary.
The Commission is composed of seven members, each appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. Each member serves a six year term. One member is appointed from among each of Oklahoma's congressional districts with the remaining two appointed from the State at-large. To be appointed to the Commission, a member must be a citizen of the State with at least three years experience in aeronautics activities. The Governor may remove any member of the Commission for inefficieny or neglect of duty.
, the members of the Commission are as follows:
- Secretary Rick Armstrong - District 1
- Dr. David Conway - District 2
- Joe Harris - District 3
- Vice Chair Wes Stucky - District 4
- Dave Amis - District 5
- Chair Kenneth Adams - At-Large
- Tom Stephenson - At-Large
Budget
The Aeronautics Commission is a non-appropriated State agency. As such, it does not rely upon annual appropriations from the Oklahoma LegislatureOklahoma Legislature
The Legislature of the State of Oklahoma is the biennial meeting of the legislative branch of the government of Oklahoma. It is bicameral, comprising the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate, with all members elected directly by the people. The House of Representatives has 101...
in order to function. Instead, the Commission is funded by a dedicated 0.0008% tax on motor fuels bought for aircraft use and a dedicated 3.25% tax on the purchase of aircraft. Those two dedicated taxes make up 80% of the Commission's annual budget. The remaining 20% comes from federal grants and other fees for the Commission's services. About half of that budget is dedicated to providing assistance to local airport improvement projects. The remainder is used to operate the agency and to provide educational activities to inform the public about aeronautics.