Students fly high despite fog

Heavy fog, cleared only by windy conditions grounded the fly-in part of the Voc-Air Flying Club Fly-In Breakfast, but supporters still made their way to the Sidney airport to show support for the club and program.

The breakfast, sponsored by Western Nebraska Community College's Voc-Air students and their flying club, is a long-standing fall tradition where the community and school get together to support students in the Voc-Air program.

Although there wasn't much flying - aside from hand-held helicopter sticks inside the hanger, students still enthusiastically served a pancake and sausage breakfast. They also greeted visitors and showed them the aircraft and stations used within the program.

The breakfast is a fundraiser for student trips that will give them first-hand experiences inside aircraft facilities throughout the region.

One of those, said WNCC Instructor John Mitchell, is an air frame shop in Greeley, Colo. where students will see professionals at work repairing airplanes and components. They will also travel to the eastern end of Nebraska to an engine repair shop, then visit Air National Guard facilities.

Mitchell said funds raised through the breakfast also allows students to begin coursework for private pilots licenses.

The WNCC program, which has 29 students, help students prepare for their airframe and power plant licenses through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"We go through the math, physics, hydraulics, engine overhaul, everything they'll need to earn those licenses," Mitchell said.