University of Oklahoma Aviation

Growing up in Atlanta, Curtis Harris would ask his mom to arrive at the airport hours early so he could sit by the window and watch airplanes take off and land.

Today, at age 22, he is directing aircraft as a certified air traffic controller after graduating from The University of Oklahoma enhanced air traffic controller training program. He is the first graduate in the nation of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program to achieve Certified Professional Controller status. He is also the first student from the University of Oklahoma Aviation Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) program to earn the certification. He now works at Addison Airport near Dallas.

“Being one of the first people through the program is exciting, but for me, the biggest thing was completing the training,” Harris said. “There were a lot of eyes on our class because we were among the first students in the nation to go through the program. It is good to know we have shown that the AT-CTI program works.”

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Congratulations to all of our May 2026 School of Aviation graduates! We are very prOUd of each of you!!✈️ 👨‍🎓 🎓 👩‍🎓

Congratulations to all of our scholarship and award winners!

Congratulations to this year’s “Cyclic and Collective” Award winners Remy White (Fall 2025) and Soami Ellis (Spring 2026). This award is given each semester to an OU Professional Pilot—Helicopter student by popular vote of the Semper Fly CFI cadre who they feel exhibits the best flying skills, shows up prepared for all lessons, and has a good attitude. Way to demonstrate OU Excellence Remy and Soami!

Congratulations to this year’s “Stick-N-Rudder” Award winners Luke Jardina (Fall 2025) and Max Watt (Spring 2026). This award is given each semester to the Aviation Flight Major by popular vote of the CFI cadre who they feel exhibits the best flying skills, shows up prepared for all lessons, and has a good attitude. Way to demonstrate OU Excellence Luke and Max!

Our students are so very fortunate to train at such a top-notch award winning airport!

OU's Max Westheimer Airport Earns Airport of the Year Award The University of Oklahoma’s Max Westheimer Airport has received the prestigious Airport of the Year Award for 2026 from the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association. Airport Director Lance Lamkin was also named the 2026 Airport Manager of the Year.