Hopefully, some of you were able to attend the recent Third Annual Thunderbird Drone Festival held in Woodward, Oklahoma. It is known as Oklahoma’s only drone film/photo festival and drone technology event. Besides providing outstanding international videos, attendees were exposed to a drone light show, drone simulators, drone races, and presentations from members of the FAAST Team. The National FAAST Team is responsible for developing standardized safety interventions for general aviation, as well as supporting other initiatives such as UAS, NextGen, Runway Safety, etc. With drones continuing to change the state of aviation as new entrants into the airspace system, September 16th is the deadline for all drone pilots to register their Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and operate in accordance with the rules of Remote ID. Such procedures help to further lay a safe foundation, allowing for more complex drone operations in our future airspace.
Thanks to many of you who participated in the Energage Employee Survey, which will ultimately determine how the Aeronautical Center ranks among other employers as a Top Workplace in Oklahoma. We’ll keep you posted on the results as we receive them. As a reminder, there is a "We’re Listening" portal if you feel the need to share an opinion, voice a concern, forward an idea, or simply request information. Submissions can be made anonymously if desired. Your feedback in any form contributes to the well-being and development of our work culture.
Employees in the Office of Facility Management (AMP) are pleased to now have all of their employees under one roof, located in the Base Maintenance Building (Bldg #15). The 54,000 square foot building was remodeled from the original 1963 structure. Employees are welcome to visit this upgraded facility and please be aware that the MMAC Motor Fleet will be relocated here, and vehicle keys can be picked up at the north entrance front desk.
The Aeronautical Center continues to provide outreach to students - preparing them for their future, while emphasizing a high-quality STEM education. As our industry grows, so does the need for highly skilled workers. Oklahoma continues to be the leader in the nation for the number of schools which are teaching aviation and aerospace in the classroom. Our STEM outreach program remains strong, as we provide ongoing support through recent and upcoming events like the Drone Festival, Innovation Week and Girls in Aviation Day. Our goal is to continue to provide students with the foundation they need to pursue a career in aerospace. Stories like Shaun Harvey’s (in this issue), representing three generations of engineers at the Center confirms that STEM outreach works.
The MMAC Feds Feed Families food drive campaign is underway until September 30th. There are locations across the MMAC where you can donate any canned or non-perishable goods. Oklahoma is the fifth hungriest state in the nation and many families are served by our Regional Food Bank and local food pantries. If you prefer to help families on the island of Maui, Hawaii you can donate through their virtual food drive. No matter which way you contribute, it’s up to each of us to help those in need.
Kindly,
Michelle Coppedge
Director, Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center
