OKC’S AVIATION POWERHOUSE: INSIDE THE MIKE MONRONEY AERONAUTICAL CENTER
Since 1957, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) has quietly anchored Oklahoma City at the center of the nation’s aviation system. Named after Sen. Mike Monroney, who helped pass the Federal Aviation Act, the center supports the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS)—a complex network that stretches from the skies to the ground—from traffic control to navigation and training. As airspace grows more complex, the center’s role continues to expand, becoming an economic engine, a workforce pipeline and a hub for innovation that serves the entire country. MMAC trains air traffic controllers and technical operations personnel who manage the critical navigation systems that aircraft rely on through the Federal Aviation Administration Academy. It also supports the FAA’s nationwide infrastructure. The Logistics Center maintains the FAA’s airport equipment and systems used by Customs and Border Protection, while the Enterprise Services Center provides financial and IT services to more than 30 federal agencies. The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute conducts health research and trains flight crews. Much of MMAC’s advancement is powered by industry partners like SAIC, a contractor that brings military-grade innovation to FAA training. As Terry Biggio, senior director of customer solutions at SAIC noted, “When we talk about some of the challenges we face today, I really see those as opportunities— opportunities for this community and for people looking for meaningful, impactful careers. And for anyone interested in becoming an air traffic controller—the opportunity is out there.” SAIC has introduced cutting-edge tools like virtual reality (VR) towers, allowing students to train in immersive 3D environments. “This 3D environment helps take students to the next level in training, and it’s not just about passing the Academy—we also want to improve their success rate once they're in the field,” Biggio said.
They’ve also developed a VR infrastructure tool that helps visualize new towers or airport layouts with precision. For example, these simulations can help place towers at Tinker Air Force Base to avoid blocking radar or antennas—saving time and planning costs. SAIC’s artificial intelligence engine has absorbed over 14,000 FAA documents to help answer student questions in plain language, improving understanding and test performance. These initiatives help increase comprehension and boosts success rates, which currently hover around 50%. MMAC’s success depends on a stable and protected workforce pipeline. The FAA plans to train over 2,600 controllers this year to meet rising demand and backfill retirements. But a government shutdown can halt the entire process—sending instructors home and breaking momentum. Legislation introduced by Congressman Frank Lucas aims to insulate the Academy from shutdowns and preserve continuity. The pipeline includes everything from recruitment and security clearance to Academy graduation and field certification. However, after graduation, the real challenge is whether field facilities have capacity for new trainees. Certification in the field can take up to three years, depending on assignment, making training efficiency and innovation vital.
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