OKC’s aviation powerhouse: Inside the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center

Since 1957, the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC) has quietly anchored Oklahoma City at the center of the nation’s aviation system. Named after Sen. Mike Monroney, who helped pass the Federal Aviation Act, the center supports the safety of the National Airspace System (NAS)—a complex network that stretches from the skies to the ground—from traffic control to navigation and training.

As airspace grows more complex, the center’s role continues to expand, becoming an economic engine, a workforce pipeline and a hub for innovation that serves the entire country.

MMAC trains air traffic controllers and technical operations personnel who manage the critical navigation systems that aircraft rely on through the Federal Aviation Administration Academy. It also supports the FAA’s nationwide infrastructure. The Logistics Center maintains the FAA’s airport equipment and systems used by Customs and Border Protection, while the Enterprise Services Center provides financial and IT services to more than 30 federal agencies. The Civil Aerospace Medical Institute conducts health research and trains flight crews.

Much of MMAC’s advancement is powered by industry partners like SAIC, a contractor that brings military-grade innovation to FAA training. As Terry Biggio, senior director of customer solutions at SAIC noted, “When we talk about some of the challenges we face today, I really see those as opportunities— opportunities for this community and for people looking for meaningful, impactful careers. And for anyone interested in becoming an air traffic controller—the opportunity is out there.”

SAIC has introduced cutting-edge tools like virtual reality (VR) towers, allowing students to train in immersive 3D environments. “This 3D environment helps take students to the next level in training, and it’s not just about passing the Academy—we also want to improve their success rate once they're in the field,” Biggio said.

They’ve also developed a VR infrastructure tool that helps visualize new towers or airport layouts with precision. For example, these simulations can help place towers at Tinker Air Force Base to avoid blocking radar or antennas—saving time and planning costs.

SAIC’s artificial intelligence engine has absorbed over 14,000 FAA documents to help answer student questions in plain language, improving understanding and test performance. These initiatives help increase comprehension and boosts success rates, which currently hover around 50%.

MMAC’s success depends on a stable and protected workforce pipeline. The FAA plans to train over 2,600 controllers this year to meet rising demand and backfill retirements. But a government shutdown can halt the entire process—sending instructors home and breaking momentum. Legislation introduced by Congressman Frank Lucas aims to insulate the Academy from shutdowns and preserve continuity.

The pipeline includes everything from recruitment and security clearance to Academy graduation and field certification. However, after graduation, the real challenge is whether field facilities have capacity for new trainees. Certification in the field can take up to three years, depending on assignment, making training efficiency and innovation vital.

“The pipeline isn’t just about the academy, it’s also about what the field can handle,” Biggio said. “Additionally, we need to provide tools to those field facilities that can help speed up the certification process or make it more efficient.”

With 85% of instructors traveling from out of state, retention is difficult. Attracting retired controllers to teach in Oklahoma is a priority, with flexible employment options and locality pay adjustments being explored to make teaching more appealing.

Beyond its federal mission, MMAC contributes to the local economy. Trainees live, eat and shop in OKC, and their visiting families add to local business. Protecting this pipeline supports both national aviation needs and the local economy.

“It’s a massive economic driver, and we don’t want anything to interrupt that—both for the city’s sake and, just as importantly, for the sake of educating the best air traffic controllers,” said Mona Taylor, state director for the U.S. Senate.

MMAC has been a quiet force for over 75 years, and yet many Oklahomans don’t even know it exists. The center has drawn attention from other states interested in hosting training facilities of their own, but replicating MMAC would cost millions and risk disrupting a system that already works.

MMAC is more than a federal facility; it is an irreplaceable center that not only meets FAA mandates but also elevates OKC as a national hub for aviation safety, innovation and workforce development. In a time when air travel safety is more complex than ever, protecting and investing in this Center is essential.