There was a big turnout at the Smithville Airport last Saturday as they hosted their first ever Smithville Aviation Day Fly-In. Young and old alike were invited to the airport for a tour of the facility, to see some of the aircraft on display, and even take a ride in a helicopter.

Smithville Airport Manager Katelyn Sanders said that they hope the event will be something held annually. “In the past years we’ve had little fly-ins, but this is the first time we’ve really opened it up to the whole community to come out and celebrate. I’m hoping we can do this every spring.”

There were a number of personal aircraft on display during the event where the crowd could get an up close look at the flying machines. “We have a MTSU Diamond, a Beechcraft Bonanza V-tail, our EEA has a couple of gyrocopters, a Stearman biplane formerly used as a military trainer aircraft, and an Aeronca L-3. We have all kinds of aircraft,” Sanders said.

“The Stearman biplane is Aaron Tippin’s plane that his son Teddy flew in for us. It was a plane that the Navy used to train pilots in during World War II. The L-3 next to it was an observation and liaison aircraft used by the United States Army Air Corps in the war.”

The event also featured the Smithville Fire Department, as well as several food vendors from around the area.