Vance hosts first Civilian Fly-in since 2002 Published Oct. 21, 2009 By 2nd Lt. Chris Carrillo 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Fifty-five planes and 10 cars traveled from throughout the region to attend Vance AFB's Civilian Fly-in Oct. 17. "People flew or drove in all the way from Dallas, Tulsa, Wichita and Amarillo," said Lt. Col. Ted Weibel, Chief of Safety with the 71st Flying Training Wing. Members of the 32nd Flying Training Squadron kicked off the event by serving the fly-in attendees a hot breakfast funded by Enid's local Air Force Association Chapter 214. Members from Wing Safety briefed the civilian pilots about Vance's flying operations with a strong emphasis on altitudes, said Colonel Weibel. "Low level routes have the highest potential for crashes," he said. The briefing was followed with pointers and specific techniques civilian pilots should use when transiting low-level routes. Following the safety briefing, the pilots were given a tour of the control tower and some even flew flight simulators. The efforts of 75 Team Vance members from Radar Approach Control, the control tower, Safety, base operations, flight simulators and lieutenants awaiting pilot training made the event a huge success, said Colonel Weibel. "The whole event went extremely smoothly, in large part because of the logistical support and the organizing efforts of Capts. Brandon Williams and Dan Healey from the Safety Office," he said. "It was well choreographed and supported by blue suiters and contract partners alike," said Colonel Weibel. Vance's last Civilian Fly-in was held in 2002.