OU Aviation takes top spot for best program in U.S.

Brian D. King, The Norman Transcript, Okla.
Updated ·3 min read

Jan. 12—The University of Oklahoma announced it has the top aviation department in the country.

Flying Magazine awarded the University of Oklahoma a score of 43, just ahead of Kansas State, Purdue University, University of North Dakota, and Western Michigan University, which all received a 42.

The rankings take into account value, career/industry partners, fleet, campus life, and facilities and location.

André Denis-Wright, senior vice president and provost at OU, told the regents on Friday's OU Board of Regents meeting that the school's proximity with Max Westheimer Airport helped vault the school to No. 1, as well as its partnerships.

"We are the school that probably has the most partnerships of any other aviation program," Denis-Wright said. "Most of the aviation programs have one or two partnerships, and we have five and are always looking to have more partnerships with airlines because it benefits our students and provides them with opportunities when they graduate."

Currently, OU is partnered with Southwest, Envoy, PSA and Piedmont.

History

—In 1940, the OU regents developed a flight training program with the establishment of Max Westheimer Field.

—In 1941, the airfield was taken over by the U.S. Navy to train combat pilots.

—In 1947, the field was returned to OU and the Department of Aeronautics was established.

1947-2022, oversight of the program transferred between the OU College of Business, the Office of the Provost, the College of Education, OU Outreach, and the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

—2022, the school transferred to the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Studies

The regents approved fee changes for 16 different courses. According to a summary schedule from the Special Instruction Aviation Fees and Modifications spreadsheet, on average, students will pay $581.12 more per course for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The regents also approved a new bachelor's degree, interdisciplinary studies: aerospace and defense management, which will require 120 hours with 30 hours in the major.

According to the agenda, the objective of the degree is to provide knowledge and skills to adult learners aiming to complete their undergraduate degree and provide a connection to the aerospace and defense industry.

The regents approved a $5 million budget for the Max Westheimer Airport Hangar and Infrastructure project and $3.8 million to W.L. McNatt & Company of Oklahoma City for the hangar's construction.

The hangar's footprint will stand 10,000 square feet. The regents did not announce when construction would commence.

The hangar will be the home for a new fleet of OU airplanes.

Currently, OU has 19 existing aircrafts, and it will replace 16 of them, which will be sold.

"We are going to expand our fleet from 19 to 28 aircrafts," Denis-Wright said. "We will have 25 new airplanes, 23 [of them] single Piper Warrior planes, and two twin engine Piper Seminole planes. We are expecting delivery of the first set of planes between now and March."

He said the OU doesn't contract maintenance to third parties.

"Most schools across the country have to have contracts with people to get mechanics to come in to maintain their fleet," he said. "Our fleet is maintained by OU staff. We have our own mechanics. It means a safer environment for our students."

Denis-Wright also said that OU has been approved in the last few months by the Federal Aviation Authority to serve as one of nine schools across the country as a direct hire site for air traffic control operators.

Brian King covers education and politics for The Transcript. Reach him at bking@normantranscript.com.