Published: October 18, 2009 12:10 am         

Vance AFB fly-in puts focus on safety

More than 50 civilian aircraft landed Saturday morning at Vance Air Force Base for a day of safety and fun during the base’s Civilian Fly-In.

Capt. Brandon Williams said more than 50 aircraft landed at the base with about 150 people at the first fly-in since 2002.

“It’s just a neat experience for them to come in here,” the captain said. “We’re glad they can do it.”

Simulator rides and tours of the Vance Air Force Base tower were available, as well as static displays of T-6, T-38 and T-1 aircraft flown at the base. Safety presentations also were given in the morning by Air Force and Vance personnel.

“The main goal of today was safety,” Williams said. “It was a big turnout and a big success.”

“The whole point of that is sharing the skies, sharing the air, trying to increase safety and decrease any types of mishaps between civilian and military pilots.”

Kent Wyatt, of Claremore, flew his Bonanza F33A to the base in what was the first time he’s landed on an Air Force runway.

“It’s a neat program,” he said.

Wyatt said he was looking forward to using one of the simulators but said the event overall appealed to him.

“I like looking at the kinds of planes here and visiting with the people,” he said.

Gary Manning flew his Piper Archer 180 from Oklahoma City along with Wayne Holland.

Manning said landing at the base was like landing at other airports, but with little more attention to detail.

“There’s a whole harness of protocols to follow,” he said.

However, landing at the base Saturday wasn’t the first trip to the Enid Air Force Base for Manning. He said he attended the last Civilian Fly-In seven years ago.