The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission meets Wednesday (Aug. 9) to evaluate what would be a record amount of proposed educational grants. Totaling more than $505,000, the funds would go to up to 72 educational organizations “to bring more students in Oklahoma to STEM [science, technology, engineering, and math] careers, particularly those in aerospace and aviation,” according to a commission press release.
The commission cites some 206,000 aviation and aerospace jobs in the state, calling the industry a “significant economic engine.” “For commerce and communities,” the commission said, “a safe, reliable, and accessible aviation system is critical. The commission’s Aerospace and Aviation Education Program encourages both young and adult Oklahomans to consider aviation and aerospace as a career. The initiative supports the Oklahoma Works project that aims to address the skills gap and connect students to programs that will help build the workforce of Oklahoma’s second-largest industry.” The commission’s efforts have been praised by the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO). In the last two decades-plus, the program has awarded aerospace and aviation education grant totaling more than $4.6 million.
So it’s a blank check subsidy to state schools?
With 72 recipients, that averages a bit over $7,000 each.
Good point. I misread the amount. Thanks.
Hopefully it will include money to encourage people to become aircraft mechanics. The declining A&P population, especially in GA, is more of a problem than the claimed pilot shortage. With an aging aircraft population, maintenance is becoming even more important.
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