MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Members of the 436th Airlift Wing Safety Office greet pilots during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at Dover AFB, Del. The event promoted the importance of communications by general aviation pilots to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Cpl. Timothy Lintz, Delaware State Trooper, talks with pilots during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at the Air Mobility Command Museum on Dover AFB, Del. The Troopers and Team Dover teamed up to teach civilian pilots about DAFB airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Kay Rudo, wife of Mark Rudo, prior honorary commander, files her and her husband’s flight plan during Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at airfield management on Dover AFB, Del. The event informed general aviation pilots about the unique airspace and mission Team Dover has and the importance of communication. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Staff Sgt. Justin Lewis, 436th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control radar approach controller, talks to civilian pilots during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at Dover AFB, Del. The civilian pilots are encouraged to contact the DAFB tower when they fly near the base’s airspace. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Lt. Col. Jason Mills 436th Airlift Wing chief of safety, talks with pilots about the characteristics of a C-17A Globemaster III during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at Dover AFB, Del. Civilian aircraft are generally small single-engine planes that cruise between 75 and 100 knots while Dover AFB’s C-5M Supergalaxies and C-17s regularly conduct training at 210 to 250 knots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Kay Rudo, wife of Mark Rudo, prior honorary commander, sits in the pilot’s seat of a C-17 Globemaster III during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at Dover AFB. The static display was part of a tour civilian pilots received to help them understand how communications helps both them and DAFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Civilian pilots receive a tour of the 436th Aerial Port Squadron during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at Dover AFB, Del. The 436th APS is in charge of processing cargo that is then shipped across the world and was shown to the pilots to help them understand Team Dover’s mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Civilian pilots pose for a group shot during the Dover Air Force Base Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, at Dover AFB, Del. The pilots toured some of Dover AFB’s facilities to get a better understanding of Team Dover’s mission and the importance of communications between them and DAFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jared Duhon)

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MACA Fly-in: Dover invites local Pilots

Published May 20, 2014
By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Team Dover held its first ever Mid-Air Collision Avoidance Fly-in May 17, 2014, here, which provided the local flying community with important safety information about the base and its airspace.

The purpose of the event was to promote safe air operations and strengthen the relationship with civil aviation pilots who frequently transit in and around DAFB's airspace. The 436th and 512th Airlift Wing safety office provided more than 50 pilots with an airspace communication and safety briefing as well as the opportunity to tour some of the base agencies in which they interact with to lower MACA related incidences.

"The event was an educational one to hopefully get pilots talking to us more," said Capt. Aaron Klang, 436th AW Safety Office flight safety officer. "This year we opened the doors to 25 aircraft, which came from around Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania."

Dave Shaver, one of the pilots invited, has flown around Dover AFB for more than 50 years. Shaver said he was excited to be able to land at Dover AFB and tour the some of the base facilities and its aircraft.

"I've never been able to land at Dover AFB and it feels great," said Shaver. "It is also wonderful being around the young people today and it's amazing they can fly these huge airplanes."

Shaver flew in from northeastern Maryland with two other pilots and is excited to share his new knowledge and experience with his aviation friends who could not attend.

"I look forward to going home and talking with my friends," said Shaver. "They go by Dover all the time on their way to different places up and down the shoreline. I feel they are not really well informed on how busy Dover really is."

Maj. Stephen Baker, 436th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager flight commander, said this tour gave the civilian partners a behind-the-scenes look at Air Force operations; a rare event for most of them.

"It gave us the opportunity to showcase our personnel and facilities to the general aviation community," said Baker. "We were able to show them our airspace and help them understand the rules we follow and the challenges we face in keeping the skies safe."

The agencies that were involved put in a diligent effort hoping that the pilots who attended the MACA event will now have a better understanding on how we operate our airspace as well as the services we can provide them.