ADA, Okla. (KXII) – Aviation students from 20 schools across Texama learned about aviation history and career opportunities at the first-ever “Southern Oklahoma Aviation Day.”
“At Ada High School, students built and launched a rocket and heard from University of Oklahoma students working in air traffic control about what to expect there. Their third stop was Ada Regional Airport where they toured a commemorative aircraft from Vietnam,” said Paula Keddy, aerospace STEM education manager for the Oklahoma Department of Aviation.
Keddy said he’s raising awareness of Oklahoma’s second-largest industry.
“Oklahoma has 117 schools, which puts us first in the nation in terms of the number of schools that teach aviation, so we’re very excited about that,” Keddy said.
Keddy says their goal is to provide schools with the curriculum and funding they need to start aviation programs across the state.
“If 117 other schools in Oklahoma, from the smallest to the largest, are doing this, any school should be able to do it,” Keddy said.
A place where students in Kingston’s new aviation program, launched this year, were able to find their passion for flying.
“There are a lot of opportunities to learn how to pursue a career in aviation, whether that be going into the military in general or commercial aviation,” said Kingston School of Aviation student Keith McAdams.
Keddie says whether you’re interested in flying or prefer to stay on the ground, aviation could be the career for you.
“There are so many opportunities, and almost every job you can think of could be related to the aerospace and aviation industry,” Keddie added.
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