[Photograph 2012.201.OVZ001.6271]

Photograph used for a story in the Oklahoma City Times newspaper. Caption: "Tulakes Airport holds the key to future success in Oklahoma City's bustling, booming, multi-million doall general aviation business. More than 200 private and executive planes take off or land at the airport each day, and new equipment to be installed at the field should send the figure flying upward. Tulakes represents a $3,900,000 investment and, according to Gen. Maurice Marrs, airport supervisor, is on a par with the best of the country's airports built to serve private aviators. This modern airport is the heart of local general aviation activities which includes all aviation not in the military, government, or scheduled carrier catagories...It is an integral part of the local economy contributing approximately 2,400 jobs and an annual payroll approaching $12,000,000. Sales and service bills to Oklahoma Cityans purchasing and maintaining aircraft total about $5,000,000 each year. There are more than 400 private planes based at the five main civilian air terminals in Oklahoma City. These terminals handle more than 150,000 take-offs and landings each year....Most of the remaining flight activity is handled by Downtown Airpark, Expressway Junction Airport and South Shields Airport. William O. Coleman, Oklahoma City airport manager, says Will Rogers is becoming less and less desirable to pilots of small planes as the traffic of heavier and faster commercial and military planes increases. He maintains most civilian pilots prefer not to enter landing patterns inhabited by large aircraft and will seek refuge at Tulakes. He expects to see a gradual decline in the use of Will Rogers facilities by private aircraft...Oklahoma City and the federal government eacj contibuted $468,000 recently to finance purchase of clear zone areas and construction of a runway extension at Tulake. The city's share came from a $7 million bond issue passed in 1957. The airport expansion program has met some delays because of President Eisenhower's veto of Sen. Mike Monroney's federal aid to airport's bill three years ago. Marrs said persons piloting small aircraft cross-country more than oftern than not by-passed Oklahoma City to land in Amarillo or Fort Smith instead of landing at Will Rogers with the larger aircraft...Tulkaes make Oklahoma City easily accessible to ranchers wanting to market herd of cattle; to a conference; a family vacationing in their private plane and to everyone using an aircraft for business or pleasure. Marrs said Tulakes is helping to insure a bright future for Oklahoma City in the field of aviation.