Federal officials broke ground in June on a new research facility at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center that will help advance the future of aviation while reinforcing Oklahoma City’s role as a national aerospace hub. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Vertical Take-Off and Landing Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) is an approximately $8.3 million project designed to support research, training and operational analysis for advanced air mobility aircraft, including electric and hybrid vertical takeoff and landing designs. The facility will include a vertiport, covered hangar and control-center building where the FAA and its partners will study topics including wake separation, downwash and outwash, radiofrequency interference and vertiport operations. “The FAA’s investment in the new V-PAR facility at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center is a significant win for Oklahoma City,” said Christy Gillenwater, president and CEO of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “For decades, our city has been a leader in aviation innovation, and this new testing range puts us right at the center of the next big thing in flight: electric vertical-takeoff aircraft.” The project builds on Oklahoma City’s long-standing leadership in aerospace and complements recent investments in advanced aviation research, including a $10 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant awarded to the University of Oklahoma to support unmanned aircraft systems research and workforce development. FAA BREAKS GROUND ON ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY RESEARCH FACILITY
Oklahoma City has experienced tremendous momentum in tourism over the past several years. Where do you see the biggest opportunities for continued growth? Yates: One of the things that excites me most is that we’re seeing growth across all four of our tourism sectors: meetings and conventions, sports, equine and leisure travel. That doesn’t happen everywhere. Continuing to grow each of those sectors gives us the opportunity to diversify our visitor economy while continuing to introduce new audiences to Oklahoma City. How do tourism and economic development work together to strengthen Oklahoma City’s future? Yates: Tourism and economic development really go hand in hand. Every visitor, convention and sporting event supports local businesses, creates jobs and generates economic impact. Visit Oklahoma City’s brand has reached a point where we can be even more strategic about how we leverage that recognition, and that benefits the entire community. What excites you most about where Oklahoma City is headed over the next five to 10 years? Yates: The momentum. It feels like we’re entering a really unique chapter for Oklahoma City. Opportunities like LA28 are incredibly exciting, but they’re just one piece of what’s happening here. We have strong partners, an engaged community and momentum across every part of our tourism industry. I’m excited to help make the most of this moment and continue creating opportunities that have a lasting impact on our city.
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