Norman Public Schools and the Oklahoma Aviation Academy celebrated a major milestone Saturday with the completion of the first aircraft built by OAA students.
The aircraft was unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Max Westheimer Airport, where students, staff, district leaders and community partners gathered to recognize the students whose work brought the project from plans to a completed aircraft.
Construction began in August 2024, and 60 OAA students contributed more than 2,500 hours to the project. The aircraft is now complete and ready for FAA certification.
“This aircraft represents far more than the finished product,” OAA Director and Principal Terry Adams said. “It represents thousands of hours of hands-on learning, collaboration and problem-solving by our students. Seeing them stand alongside something they helped build from the ground up is an incredible accomplishment.”
The aircraft will eventually have a permanent home in the entryway of the new Oklahoma Aviation Academy facility, which is scheduled to open in early 2027. It will be suspended above the entryway as a visual representation of the hands-on learning and opportunities available to OAA students.
The new OAA facility is part of the district’s ongoing investment in career and technical education and aviation-focused programming. The academy provides students with opportunities to gain experience in aviation, aerospace and related fields while completing their high school education.
The completed aircraft will serve as a lasting reminder of the first group of OAA students to take on the challenge of building an aircraft and the skills they developed throughout the process.
“This is what the Oklahoma Aviation Academy is all about, giving students opportunities to learn by doing,” NPS Superintendent Dr. Nick Migliorino said. “Our students aren’t just learning about aviation; they’re building, problem-solving and working together on something real. To see what they’ve accomplished and know they’ll be able to look back years from now and say, ‘I helped build that,’ is pretty special.”
The Oklahoma Aviation Academy began in fall 2022 and has continued to expand its aviation and aerospace programming. The academy's new facility is expected to open in early 2027.