Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission approves rules, grant change orders and multiple project contracts

The Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics Commission on Jan. 22 approved administrative rule changes, authorized two airport construction grant change orders, and cleared a slate of consultant and design contracts for local airport projects.

At item 6 the commission voted to adopt two chapters of Title 25 administrative rules: revisions to the Airport Construction Program that add terminal refurbishment and sponsor-owned hangar rehabilitation as eligible projects and adjustments to selection criteria and fuel-system participation; and clarified procedures for the Aerospace and Aviation Education Grant Program, including closeout deadlines, reimbursement procedures and two new grant types (classroom laboratory development and internship/apprenticeship support). Staff reported a public hearing on Jan. 21 produced one written comment; staff said most suggestions reflected existing practice. The motion to adopt the rules passed on roll call.

The commission approved two change orders for ongoing ACP projects. At Okmulgee Regional Airport, commissioners approved an additional $57,404 to remove unstable subgrade under two executive box hangars and replace it with compactable dry material (federal $31,572; state $22,961.60; sponsor $2,870.40). At Prague Municipal Airport the commission approved $30,126.40 to build an all-weather gravel access road to a four-box hangar site; state and sponsor match portions were documented. Staff said the Okemah taxi-lane line-item adjustment (shifting funds to utility work) did not change the department’s previously approved share.

On consent dockets and consultant approvals, the commission added a Perry Municipal Airport hangar project (up to four 50-by-50 box hangars, total estimated $1.1 million; proposed split: 40% ODAA $440,000; FAA ~$605,000; local $55,000) and approved consultant/design work for El Reno Regional Airport terminal design (total project cost $2,500,500; ODAA share $1,000,000) and the Perry design phase (design cost ~$85,800; ODAA $34,320; federal $47,190; sponsor $4,290). Commissioners voted to approve the consultant items and the design/PER projects as presented.

All recorded votes on items described above passed by roll call. Several technical questions during the meeting addressed construction materials and compaction targets (80–90% discussed) for subgrade replacement and slab work.

The commission said staff will circulate finalized rule language and legislative bill lists to commissioners and indicated department staff will act as agent where specified for the approved design and PER contracts. No citizen speakers attended the public hearing on the administrative rule chapters.

The meeting adjourned after announcements of upcoming events and the next special meeting scheduled for March 12, 2025.