The Wood County Airport welcomed pilots, aviation enthusiasts and community members Saturday for an open house event highlighted by educational demonstrations and discussions on flight safety and training.
Lupita Wisener opened the event by greeting attendees and thanking them for attending the gathering at the airport. She encouraged guests to explore the facility and engage with presenters and aviation professionals throughout the day.
Samuel Schatte of East Texas Flying introduced the program’s main speaker, noting the importance of continued pilot education and safety awareness in general aviation. Schatte also shared updates about local aviation services and training opportunities available through East Texas Flying and its partners.
The featured presentation was delivered by Liam Wenham, a flight instructor and aerobatic pilot certified in upset recovery and spin training. Wenham focused his talk on the dangers of aircraft stalls and spins, how they develop and the importance of proper recovery techniques.
He explained that many spin incidents occur during low-altitude phases of flight, such as base-to-final turns in the traffic pattern, where pilots may have limited time and altitude to respond. Wenham emphasized that improper control inputs — such as applying incorrect aileron or pulling back on the elevator — can worsen a developing spin.
“Most spins will happen close to the ground,” Wenham said, noting that even a properly executed recovery can still result in significant altitude loss. He described how general aviation aircraft can lose hundreds of feet per rotation in a spin and stressed that recovery often requires immediate and correct input to prevent a crash.
Throughout the presentation, Wenham walked attendees through the aerodynamic principles behind spins, including angle of attack, yaw and roll coupling. He also discussed common training scenarios that can lead to stalls and spins, including cross-controlled approaches and improper rudder use during takeoff and climb.
A key focus of the talk was proper recovery procedures. Wenham outlined the standard method taught in pilot training: reducing power to idle, neutralizing ailerons, applying full opposite rudder and moving the elevator forward to break the stall. He also cautioned that pilots should always refer to their aircraft’s pilot operating handbook, as recovery procedures can vary by model.
Wenham further discussed weight and balance considerations, noting that aft center-of-gravity conditions can make spins more difficult to recover from because of reduced control authority. He encouraged pilots to remain mindful of loading limitations and aircraft stability characteristics.
The open house also included informal conversations among pilots, instructors and visitors about flight training programs, aircraft maintenance careers and youth aviation initiatives. Wisener promoted upcoming events, including additional safety seminars and community fly-ins planned at Collins Field/Wisener Field and other nearby airports.
Before closing, Wisener encouraged interested attendees to explore aviation education opportunities, including youth flight experiences and pilot training programs designed to introduce younger generations to flying.
Wisener said the open house was intended to strengthen community awareness of aviation safety while showcasing the range of services and training available at the Wood County Airport.