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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

15th Annual Aviation Festival to be held at Max Westheimer Airport

Norman, Okla. – The University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer Airport will hold its 15th Annual Aviation Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 2^nd.  This year marks the 80^th year of flight training at Max Westheimer Airport.

Admission and parking are complimentary. We want to thank this year’s Presenting Sponsor, Walmart West-side Norman.  The festival will include an open house, aircraft static displays, and a children’s activity area.

Aircraft static displays potentially seen at the festival are the OU Fleet, an antique Steersman, and the T-6 Texans. In addition, the Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and radio control aircraft from the Central Oklahoma Radio Control Society are scheduled to have displays.  The South Canadian Amateur Radio Society (SCARS), who works with the City of Norman Emergency Management, will have a trailer display at the festival.  Bob Mills Sky News 9 helicopter pilot, Jim Gardner, is also scheduled to attend the festival. We expect to have the Civil Air Patrol, Norman Fire, O.U. Police, S.W.A.T. Team, Cleveland County Sherriff, Norman Police, and NOAA with their Mobile Doppler Radar.

Lance Lamkin, A.A.E., Max Westheimer Airport Administrator, reported that “This is a perfect opportunity to see the airport up close.  You get to touch and feel the aircraft and visit with the pilots.  This is a wonderful time for children and adults of all ages to explore the aviation world and see the many facets of the airport, aircraft, and careers in aviation.” 

Sooner Flight Academy staff will host a children’s area with hands-on activities.  The University of Oklahoma School of Aviation Alumni, Eric Gaffney First Officer with United Airlines, and author of the children’s book, “Airick Flies High.” Sooner Flight Academy’s mascot, Sooney, will be on hand to greet children.  Children will have the opportunity to take a ride on a bi-plane model, play in a model hot air balloon and look inside the engine of an airplane.  This year’s theme is “Careers in Aviation and Aerospace.” 

During the festival, the O.U. Sooner Schooner will be on hand and will be pulled by the ponies Boomer and Sooner. In addition, we will have Midway Deli and Kona Ice on-site to serve up some incredible food and snow cones. 

This event is made possible through contributions from the Norman Chamber of Commerce and its sponsors. This year’s sponsors include Walmart Norman-West-side, K.S.A. Engineering, Garver Engineering, and Chickasaw Nation Industries. 

Max Westheimer Airport is located at 1700 Lexington Ave., in Norman. For more festival information, visit http://www.ou.edu/airport/events/festival, and to keep up with the latest updates, visit them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/maxwestheimerairport.  For accommodations, please call Max Westheimer Airport at (405) 325-7233.

Lance Lamkin, A.A.E.

Airport Administrator

Max Westheimer Airport

Department of Campus Safety

Office: (405)-325-7233