Mayor Larry Heikkila declared July 31 “Semper Fly Helicopters Day” during a celebration of the only female veteran-owned helicopter training facility in the U.S. on Wednesday.
The celebration took place at the Max Westheimer Airport and welcomed city, county and state officials as well as community members to celebrate the opening of Semper Fly, which will partner with the OU School of Aviation to implement a helicopter training program.
In March, the OU Board of Regents approved a professional pilot-helicopter track for the bachelor of science in professional studies. The Semper Fly program will provide students with training to develop their skills and knowledge to become helicopter pilots.
Semper Fly CEO Brandi Rector told OU Daily that the institution began in 2022 after the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, now the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, mentioned that the state needed a flight school to combat its lack of a rotor presence.
Semper Fly won a contract with OU in February.
In his proclamation at the event on Wednesday, Heikkila said Semper Fly will contribute to workforce development, talent retention and economic growth in Norman, Cleveland County and the state.
Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation industry generates an estimated $44 billion per year and is the state’s second largest industry.
According to Boeing, there is a projected global shortage of 61,000 helicopter pilots by 2038.
Heikkila said the institution will contribute to addressing a global pilot shortage while promoting diversity and inclusion in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Training for students will take place at the Max Westheimer Airport, where they will use helicopters provided by Semper Fly as well as a helicopter simulator. Courses will be taught by Semper Fly instructors.
“If you come to OU and you want to do a fixed wing program, you do their professional pilot bachelor's degree with a focus in … fixed wing,” Rector said. “They’ll have the exact same thing, but (with) helicopters.”
The program will begin at OU in fall 2024.
This story was edited by Ana Barboza. Matthew Moore and Avery Avery copy edited this story.
