The sky is no longer the limit for McAlester High School's Aviation Program! After five years of dedication, hard work, and hands-on learning, the program has reached an extraordinary milestone: successfully passing its Designated Airworthiness Representative (DAR) inspection and receiving its Special Airworthiness Certification, officially clearing the aircraft for flight!

This exciting achievement marks a monumental moment for McAlester Public Schools and its partnership with Tango Flight, which began five years ago. Through this innovative program, students have gained invaluable real-world experience in aviation, engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork while working toward the incredible goal of building an aircraft capable of taking flight.

What began as an ambitious educational opportunity has now become a remarkable success story, demonstrating what students can accomplish when classroom learning meets real-world application. This milestone would not have been possible without the tremendous support of our community and dedicated partners. McAlester Public Schools extends its sincere appreciation to Tango Flight, the McAlester Regional Airport and the City of McAlester for their continued assistance and support throughout this journey.

Sincere appreciation also goes to program mentor Mr. Jeff Wolf, our former Tango Flight instructor Mr. Chase Tindle, and current instructor Ms. Felicia Wilson for their dedication, expertise, and commitment to helping our students turn an extraordinary dream into reality. Their guidance, along with the hard work of the students who have contributed to the project over the past five years, has helped make this historic achievement possible.

Special recognition goes to Mrs. Delilah Rodriguez, Chief of Teaching and Learning, whose vision five years ago sparked this initiative so our Buffaloes could fly. Mrs. Rodriguez states: "Watching this dream take flight after five years of hard work is one of the proudest moments of my career. Our students, instructors, and community partners have shown incredible dedication to turn a vision into reality. Today, we proved that when we give our Buffaloes the tools and support they need, the sky truly is the limit."

Adding to the excitement of this milestone, we were honored to have MHS Aviation Program alumni Colton Gillaspie and Westyn Camp in attendance for today's inspection. Their presence made this achievement even more meaningful, serving as a reminder of all the students who have helped build the program's legacy over the past five years.

The MHS Aviation Program represents the power of career-focused, hands-on education and the incredible opportunities that emerge when schools, industry partners, and communities work together.

Five years of building. Five years of learning. One incredible milestone.