Senator Jech Attends the World’s Largest Civil Aviation Trade Show with Oklahoma Delegation

OKLAHOMA CITY— Oklahoma Senate Aeronautics and Transportation Committee Chair, Senator Darcy Jech, joined the Oklahoma delegation participating in the annual National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention and exhibition in Las Vegas.

The convention is crucial for the success of Oklahoma’s aerospace and business aviation industries, and attracted over 20,000 attendees, 800 exhibitors, and featured 50 static displays.

During the three-day event, Senator Jech, R-Kingfisher, met with Congressman Sam Graves, who chairs the Transportation Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Discussions focused on the integration of manned and unmanned vehicles, with representatives from UAS and AAM companies present. Jech also attended the newsmaker luncheon as a guest of Ed Bolen, president of the National Business Aviation Association.

“What struck me most throughout the week was the impressive range of Oklahoma companies represented,” Jech said. “Each business owner I encountered shared a common theme: they appreciated the state of Oklahoma’s investment in their success and growth. Oklahoma has made significant progress in creating business-friendly laws for the aviation and aerospace sectors. I was particularly impressed by the small companies located in communities across Oklahoma, employing between five and 100 people. Their missions are critical not only for aviation safety across the country but also for national defense.”

The history of the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (BACE) began with the founding of its parent organization, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), in 1947. The inaugural convention was held in New York City to support and advocate for business aviation—a mission that continues today with the annual NBAA-BACE event, now recognized as one of the world's largest civil aviation trade shows. That same year saw the establishment of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, originally known as the Oklahoma Aviation Commission. Additionally, the University of Oklahoma launched its aviation program and the Department of Aeronautical Engineering, and the Civil Aeronautics Authority's (CAA) Aeronautical Center was founded in Oklahoma City.

“With nearly 80 years of focus on business aviation, both from NBAA, ODAA, and numerous Oklahoma aerospace corporations founded in the state, I am confident that the collaboration among state government, communities, and companies is essential to ensure Oklahoma remains at the forefront of innovations in aviation fuel, airport improvements and modernization, aircraft transactions, and the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of airplanes coming to Oklahoma for expert service,” Jech added.

The NBAA BACE is a top annual trade show where the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Aerospace and Aeronautics are represented. This year, businesses and communities that participated included Avtrac Companies, MST Manufacturing, NAI Red, Inc., and OKC Will Rogers International Airport.

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