Oct. 30, 2020
NBAA honored retiring Oklahoma State Director of Aeronautics Victor Bird with its prestigious Silk Scarf Award in recognition of his longtime contributions to the aviation industry.
In a video presentation, NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen commended Bird on his decades of exemplary service to aviation. “In every way, Vic is a pillar of the aviation community,” said Bolen. “He has been a great director of aeronautics for the state of Oklahoma, and has been effective, thorough and professional in everything he has done at the state and national level.”
Bird leaves a long legacy of state policymaking with 36 years of public service to Oklahoma, including 18 at the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. He emphasized critical planning and development of the state’s air transportation system; upgrading as many of the state’s 49 regional business aviation airports as possible to be jet-capable and encouraged public-private partnerships to promote the aerospace industry.
Bird earned his juris doctorate and bachelor’s degree from the University of Tulsa, leading to him to a career in law within the public sector. It was this legal background and his knowledge of state government that ultimately led him to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission as director in 2002. Although he was a newcomer to aviation and aerospace, he recognized the opportunities to help foster and grow the industry and immediately put his knowledge and connections within state government to work.
Bird has served as chairman of the National Association of State Aviation Officials and has received the Distinguished Service Award from the Oklahoma Association for Career and Technical Education. In 2009, Bird was the recipient of the prestigious General Thomas P. Stafford Award, which recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the Oklahoma aerospace industry. This year, he received the President’s Award from the Oklahoma Airport Operators.
“NBAA is proud to have worked with Vic so closely all these years and to honor him with one of our most special recognitions, the Order of the Silk Scarf,” said Bolen.
About the Silk Scarf Award
In an effort to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers.