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SMITHVILLE – The 17th annual Smithville fly-in brought pilots, families and aviation enthusiasts together at the Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport for a communal aircraft spectacle.
Showcasing dozens of privately owned personal airplanes from across the breadth of Texas, attendees were treated to an event ripe with entertainment and commemoration.
“It’s all about the history,” said John Heitz, pilot of 33 years, whose 1943 BT-13 is one of only 30 known remaining models. “They didn’t figure they would last more than five years because of the war, most of these got turned into crop dusters.”
Pilots sat in shade underneath the canopies of their historic and modern crafts, ready to answer any questions that inquisitive onlookers might have.
The hangars of the air strip were full of families watching as planes maneuvered the small but busy runways, taking turns sharing the sky. Every take-off and landing was surrounded with the cheer and awe of fellow pilots and plane admirers.
The scene was genuine and lively, attendees said. Like-minded enthusiasts got to share insight into how these crafts are manipulated in the sky, with insync airshows roaring overhead and air traffic control helicopters whipping up grass and crickets.
Pilots also offered guests tours of cockpits. An easier experience for children to take advantage of, as most planes don’t leave much space for leg room.
In between the demonstrations of aviator skill and airplane tours, guests relaxed in the shade of the hangars with music, games and barbecue. Concluding with a candy drop, children got to leave the allday affair with pockets full of treats.
