JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The 12th Flying Training Wing welcomed 31 civilian aviators flying 16 aircraft from across Texas to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on June 7 for a Civil Fly-In designed to enhance flight safety and strengthen ties with the local aviation community.
The event supported the U.S. Air Force’s Midair Collision Avoidance (MACA) program by educating pilots on military procedures, local airspace coordination, and risk-reduction strategies. With growing air traffic in shared skies, the fly-in emphasized the critical importance of strong partnerships between military and civilian aviators to ensure safety and prevent incidents before they occur.
“Engaging with our civilian counterparts helps build a shared understanding of airspace responsibilities and potential hazards,” said Capt. Doran Pribilski, 12th FTW airfield safety officer and project officer for the event. “These types of events are important for us to build trust and encourage discussion with our local civilian aviation community.”
In addition to those who arrived by air, several drive-in guests attended the event. Participants received a series of briefings focused on increasing situational awareness and safe flight operations in the region. Emi Chan, an airfield biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, presented on Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) mitigation, detailing how wildlife impacts aviation and the strategies used to manage those risks around the airfield.
Travis Uhlhorn, a controller from San Antonio Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), offered an overview of the complex airspace structure in South Texas and the importance of clear communication and coordination between general aviation pilots and military operations. The MACA briefing was jointly presented by Maj. Bryan Hall, a 12th FTW flight safety officer, and Bryan Wilmunen, the 502nd Air Base Wing aviation safety program manager, who discussed real-world examples of midair risks and the procedures in place to avoid them.
The event underscored that collaboration between military and civilian pilots is not just beneficial, it’s essential. With both communities operating in increasingly congested and dynamic airspace, coordinated efforts like the fly-in are vital to maintaining safety and mission readiness.
The 12th Flying Training Wing, headquartered at JBSA-Randolph, conducts pilot instructor training for the U.S. Air Force and allied partners and operates in one of the busiest training airspaces in the nation.