Reps. Bice, Lucas, Cole, Join FAA Administrator Bedford in Tour of Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center

Oklahoma City, OK - Today, Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05), along with Representatives Frank D. Lucas (OK-03), and Tom Cole (OK-04), joined Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford in touring the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center's Air Traffic Control Training Academy. The tour, which included visits to the Tower Simulator System Lab and the En Route Automation Modernization Lab, provided an overview of controller training programs and technologies used to prepare the aviation workforce.

Throughout their time in Congress, Representatives Bice, Cole, and Lucas, have been able to secure federal dollars for the Center. This year, through Fiscal Year 2026 funding, the Representatives fought for and secured $152 million dollars to ensure the facilities at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center remain the gold standard for all operations occurring at the Center, as well as for air traffic controller recruitment, training, and equipment to ensure the next generation of air traffic controllers have the tools they need to learn how to safely conduct air traffic within the national airspace system.

After the tour, the Representatives and Administrator Bedford released the following statements:

Congresswoman Bice said,"It was great to be alongside Administrator Bedford at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center. On his visit, the first by an FAA Administrator in a decade, we witnessed the incredible work happening daily in Oklahoma City. I was proud to see new innovative technologies, funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill, which are helping to prepare future air traffic controllers and the next generation of professionals. Their mission is critical and the Oklahoma delegation is laser focused on providing the support they need."

"I'm grateful to the Oklahoma congressional delegation, including Chairman Tom Cole, Representative Frank Lucas, Vice Chair Stephanie Bice as well as Senators Lankford and Armstrong for their strong leadership here in Oklahoma. This center is one of the crown jewels of research and development, and sustainment for the national airspace system,"said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford."It all happens here. Training new air traffic controllers, technicians, and first and second level engineers. We had the most successful recruiting day in the history of the FAA for our air traffic controllers, we've shortened the hiring process and we are getting trainees into the Academy faster than ever."

"It was a great day in Oklahoma City with Administrator Bedford as we toured the impressive Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center," said Congressman Lucas. "The innovative technology that we saw today has, and will continue to, completely change the training curriculum for future aviation experts. This will bring our nation's opportunities in aviation to new heights, and it will also enable our workforce to be equipped with more skills and services that will only further advance their careers. I'm optimistic about the future of aviation, and I'm proud that this innovation is occurring here in Oklahoma's third congressional district."

"Thanks to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Oklahoma has long been a hub for aerospace and aviation industry development. The Center is not only a key administrative, research, and safety hub for the FAA, but it is also home to the FAA Academy, which is the only training center in the country for FAA-certified air traffic controllers. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that America's national aviation industry cannot exist without the workforce the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center produces - and that was made very clear through the advanced technology and new curriculum we saw on the tour today," said Congressman Cole. "I would like to thank FAA Administrator Bedford for taking the time to come out to Oklahoma, as it is critical for the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center to continue to thrive."