A team from Westmoore High School has been crowned the first-ever Oklahoma High School State Aviation Champions.
The Jaguars secured the title at the inaugural event hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and FlightSafety International in Tulsa.
The championship, which was held Feb. 20-21, 2026, at the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus, brought together 12 finalist teams from across the state. Students participated in flight simulation rounds, showcasing their technical skills and aviation knowledge during the competition.
Saturday morning, the top four schools faced off during the final rounds, culminating in Westmoore High School earning first place, according to ODAA officials.
Aerospace and defense is Oklahoma’s second-largest and fastest-growing industry. The state ranks first in the country in the number of high schools teaching the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) curriculum, state aviation officials noted.
“We are intentionally building a pipeline from the classroom to the cockpit, ensuring the next generation of aerospace professionals is cleared for takeoff in Oklahoma,” said Grayson Ardies, ODAA executive director.
In addition to the competition, the participants toured FlightSafety International’s Broken Arrow location. Students also toured Tulsa Community College’s Aviation center where they learned about the school’s Air Traffic Control and Professional Pilot Programs.
For more information: Oklahoma.gov/Aerospace/Aero-Education
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