By Joey McWilliams
The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission announced Wednesday the availability of a new official aviation and aerospace specialty license plate.
The “Aeroplate”, requested by the OAC, is in celebration of the state’s second largest economic engine, aviation and aerospace, a new Oklahoma specialty plate is ready to beautify the bumpers of automobiles with the rising slogan: Oklahoma Aviation.
The license plates are to be issued with any combination of numbers and letters from one to a maximum of seven characters.
Funds from the plate will be used to promote the awareness of aviation and aerospace, and providing financial support for aviation education programs to address the need for a skilled and competent aviation workforce.
The special interest plate was designed by Oklahoma artist Christopher Nick.
Sandra Shelton, communications and legislative affairs liaison to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, said motorists can get the plate personalized.
“The plate looks best personalized with five to six characters and six is the number of characters the Tax Commission form currently allows,” Shelton said.
A 180-day countdown began on Wednesday requiring 100 people to purchase the plate before the Tax Commission would place it into circulation.
Tag Agent Rhonda Short said those orders could be placed at the Red River Tag Agency in Calera.
“We would be happy to take their order,” Short said. “They’re going to take the first 100 prepaid applicants, and when they receive those, then they will put the plate into production.
“If people want that plate, we’ll print them out the form and send it in for them.
“If (the Tax Commission) does not receive 100 prepaid applications by May 1, 2018, the applications will be dropped from the system.”
If the plate doesn’t go into circulation, those who placed the order would get a refund.
Short said the “Aeroplate” is one of 32 special license plates that could be available in 2018, in addition to those already available.