Oklahoma to Mark a Century of Flight with Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day at AAR Hangar

Organisers of the ninth annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day have opened ticket sales for an event that will mark 100 years of aviation in the state and showcase the next generation of aviators.

Hosted by AAR Corporation and scheduled for Friday 12 December 2025, the event will run from 11:00 to 13:00 in the new three-bay 737 Hangar 4 on the AAR campus at Will Rogers World Airport. The gathering, billed as the largest to date, will bring together industry partners, community groups and high school students from across Oklahoma.

Keynote Speakers and Venue

Presented by the aerospace legacy, AAR Corporation, the event will feature celebrity keynote speaker Amelia Rose Earhart and Col. Dawn Zoldi as celebrity emcee. Organisers said the location — a recently completed three-bay hangar built in collaboration with JE Dunn, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust and the Oklahoma Aerospace Foundation — provides a fitting setting for a celebration of aviation history and contemporary industry achievement.

Celebrating 100 Years of Oklahoma Aviation

The day is intended to be both commemorative and forward-looking. It will “take a broader look at the humanity and boldness of the individuals in the aerospace and defense industry while celebrating one hundred years of aviation in Oklahoma, from 1925 to 2025,” organisers said in their announcement.

A key feature will be a special tribute to Hatbox Field in Muskogee, one of the state’s earliest aviation hubs. Hatbox operated from the 1920s until 2000; originally the site of flying circuses and demonstrations, it became Oklahoma’s first army airfield in 1925 and later served as an intermediate landing and training site.

Historical Partnerships and Tributes

The anniversary tribute forms part of a wider collaboration with The Ninety-Nines International, which has a local base in Oklahoma City and represents women pilots globally.

Attendees are encouraged to adopt dress cues that honour the state’s aviation past. Organisers request guests wear hats “in homage to the greatest generations of pilots who landed at Hatbox Field, as well as to the aircraft technicians who kept the planes flying.” Pearls are traditionally worn in recognition of Pearl Carter Scott, organisers added.

Tickets and Volunteer Opportunities

Ticketing for the event is already live. The promotional material includes the directive: “CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR EVENT TICKETS NOW.”

Volunteer opportunities are also open. The release states: “VOLUNTEER AND GET TWO FREE TICKETS!” Volunteers who work on the Thursday prior to the event will receive two general admission tickets and an official 2025 event T-shirt. Prospective volunteers should contact [email protected] and use the subject line OKWIAA Volunteer.

Industry and Community Engagement

The Oklahoma Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day highlights a growing focus on promoting careers in aerospace and defence to young people, particularly young women, as the industry seeks to expand its talent pipeline. By staging the event within a working hangar and involving local students, organisers aim to combine tribute and recruitment in a single forum.

Organisers expect community partners and guests, alongside Oklahoma’s “brightest aviation high school students,” to attend the two-hour programme, which will include speeches, recognition of achievements and the historical tribute to Hatbox Field.

Looking Ahead

The Oklahoma Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day forms part of a series of initiatives designed to spotlight the state’s aviation heritage while supporting development of the future aerospace workforce. Further details on speakers, programming and ticket options will be available from the event’s organisers.