“The pipeline isn’t just about the academy, it’s also about what the field can handle,” Biggio said. “Additionally, we need to provide tools to those field facilities that can help speed up the certification process or make it more efficient.” With 85% of instructors traveling from out of state, retention is difficult. Attracting retired controllers to teach in Oklahoma is a priority, with flexible employment options and locality pay adjustments being explored to make teaching more appealing. "It’s a massive economic driver, and we don’t want anything to interrupt that—both for the city’s sake and, just as importantly, for the sake of educating the best air traffic controllers" - Mona Taylor
Beyond its federal mission, MMAC contributes to the local economy. Trainees live, eat and shop in OKC, and their visiting families add to local business. Protecting this pipeline supports both national aviation needs and the local economy. “It’s a massive economic driver, and we don’t want anything to interrupt that—both for the city’s sake and, just as importantly, for the sake of educating the best air traffic controllers,” said Mona Taylor, state director for the U.S. Senate. MMAC has been a quiet force for over 75 years, and yet many Oklahomans don’t even know it exists. The center has drawn attention from other states interested in hosting training facilities of their own, but replicating MMAC would cost millions and risk disrupting a system that already works. MMAC is more than a federal facility; it is an irreplaceable center that not only meets FAA mandates but also elevates OKC as a national hub for aviation safety, innovation and workforce development. In a time when air travel safety is more complex than ever, protecting and investing in this Center is essential.
ROAD TO LA28: OKC’S OLYMPIC MOMENT Wednesday, June 18 | 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Petroleum Club of Oklahoma City
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