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State Outlook

• $44 Billion Annually
  The Oklahoma Department of Commerce reports the Aerospace and Aviation economic impact to be $44 billion annually.
   
• #1 in the U.S.
  Oklahoma has the largest military and commercial aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul operations in the United States.
   
• 240,000 Jobs
  Over 240,000 jobs are supported by or benefit from Oklahoma aviation and aerospace.
   
• 10,000 New Jobs
  Oklahoma Aerospace Commerce Economic Services (ACES) Program Director Don Wetekam highlighted 10,000 new aerospace jobs will come to Oklahoma over the next five years.
   
• Additional Areas of Growth
  Unmanned systems

Regional Outlook

According to data from the Greater OKC Chamber, the following are key stats:

• 230+ Aerospace Firms
  Home to 230+ aerospace firms in the region, including Boeing, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin, Kratos, and SkyWest.
   
• 36,000+ Aerospace Workers
  Home to 36,000+ aerospace workers in Greater Oklahoma City, with 1,500 open positions.
   
• $4.9 Billion
  Aerospace firms produce $4.9 billion in goods and services locally.

Local Outlook

Cleveland County residents are critical to maintaining and supporting Central Oklahoma’s aviation and aerospace workforce:

• 57,000 Tinker AFB Employees
  Tinker Air Force Base employees almost 57,000; nearly 30% live in/commute from Cleveland County daily.
   
• University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer
  The primary airport in Cleveland County is the University of Oklahoma Max Westheimer Airport that employs approximately 400 with a total economic activity of nearly $37.5 million.
   
• Commander Aircraft Corp.
  Commander Aircraft Corp. is expanding operations and will have space for an inventory of parts, service, storage, repair, and full-scale production.
   
• Companies in Norman and Cleveland County
  Norman boasts 10 aerospace/aviation-related companies and there are more than 15 in Cleveland county.

Key Drivers

• Technical Worker Shortage
  The aerospace industry is facing a massive technical workforce shortage.
   
• Aging Workforce
  Aviation mechanics are retiring faster than they are being replaced. Over 30% of the workforce is at or near retirement age. 
   
• Strategic Recruitment
  The State of Oklahoma and Chambers of Commerce are strategically recruiting additional aerospace manufacturers/companies to grow this industry and increase economic impact.
   
• Meeting the Demand
  ODCTE reports ongoing company requests for more licensed A & P mechanics than are currently available, and fully supports additional A & P training programs to meet the need.
   
• Projected Growth
  The projected growth of the commercial UAS industry will drive the need for trained UAS remote pilots and UAS maintenance technicians.