SIDNEY -- The skies were not too friendly for small aircraft this morning, but the fresh breakfast and conversations welcomed everyone to the annual Voc-Air Flying Club Fly-In Breakfast at the Sidney Airport today.

The annual event is a fundraiser and community event. Pilots are welcomed to fly in for breakfast, the community has an opportunity to visit the Western Nebraska Community College Aviation Maintenance program and children get to take part in activities during the morning.

Today's event had alumni in attendance as well as the public. Joe Julius graduated from the program, then returned as an instructor.

"We're the only aviation maintenance program in the state of Nebraska," said Julius.

He said it is at the airport in Sidney with learning on the planes and equipment graduates will see in the field.

"Our students can come here, and get a good quality hands-on education here at the airport in Sidney. It's a two-year program," he said.

Nathan Dankers graduated from the program about two years ago.

"The program was really good. A lot of the schools that are in the area that do aircraft maintenance training they're really kind of geared towards getting airline mechanics just cranked out as quickly as possible. There are schools that you can get done a little faster, but you're going to learn the bare minimum; not much else, just be able to pass the test," Dankers said.

He said the WNCC program offers more than is required in aircraft maintenance.

For more information about the WNCC aviation maintenance program, see https://www.wncc.edu/academics/programs-of-study/aviation-maintenance