The Stockton Metropolitan Airport opened its gates last weekend for its first Aviation Open House, offering a rare opportunity for the public to explore a variety of aircraft and connect directly with the people behind local aviation and military operations.
The free event was promoted through social media and in-person outreach at local schools, where airport staff engaged students and spread awareness about careers in the aviation field.
“We were inspired by a desire to reconnect with our community and celebrate our region’s aviation history,” Jamie Vilinskas, the airport’s marketing and business development administrator, told Stocktonia. “This open house is our way of opening the gates and inviting the public to experience everything that makes their local airport unique.”
Attendees included active-duty service members, veterans, airport staff, flight school instructors, aviation first responders, and aviation enthusiasts. Families with young children explored the grounds and peeked inside the more than 20 aircraft on display.
In a commitment to accessibility, the event also featured ADA accommodations including trained service dogs for visitors with severe anxiety. TSA agents, medics, and police were present throughout the day to ensure a safe and inclusive experience.
“The main reason for the open house was to reach out into the community and let them know what we do here,” said Airport Director Richard Sokol. “A lot of people think an airport exists for just airline services, but we do other things here as well … and we want to encourage others to look into aviation as a career.”
Rebecca Smith, a Stockton resident who attended with her two small children, said she found out about the event on Facebook.
“My son loves airplanes and airports, so a chance to come to the airport — he was so excited about it. The Army helicopter was his favorite,” Smith said.
Visitors explored a range of aircraft — from vintage propeller planes to operational military helicopters. Many took part in guided tours led by military personnel, posed for photos beside aircraft, or stepped inside an aviation fire rescue truck. Children launched wooden gliders — handed out by airport staff — and climbed into cockpits for an interactive experience.
The open house also highlighted the arrival of Hayward Flight Dogs to Stockton — a flight school initiative focused on encouraging youth to pursue aviation careers.
“I came here to see the environment and meet some people while inspiring the younger generation to get into aviation, so this is really the best place to have a flight school,” said Osa Aikhionbare, a photographer and videographer for Flight Dogs who traveled from Concord to attend the event.
With the success of this year’s turnout and community response, the Stockton Metropolitan Airport hopes to establish the open house as an annual event, officials said.
“These events are a great platform for visibility and engagement, and we love working with organizations that share our visions for community connection,” said Vilinskas. “ So, we really hope that we are able to turn this into an annual event to keep the community engaged and knowledgeable about the world of aviation.”
