Will Rogers & Wiley Post Fly-In Brings Aviation Fun To Oologah

People from all over the country took part in the Rogers-Wiley Post Fly-In in Oologah on Saturday. Will Rogers was a world-famous cowboy with major influence in the movies, politics, and of course aviation.

"We're honoring Will Rogers and Wiley Post. They died on August 15th, 1935 we do it on a Saturday around that date and we honor them as well as others as well,” said Executive Director of the Will Rogers Museums Tad Jones.

The fly-in took place at Will Rogers birthplace near Oologah Lake. About 100 pilots took to the skies in Will's honor. One of those pilots is his great-great-grandson who says he will never forget his first solo flight that he took on his 16th birthday.

"I grew up sitting on two pillows in the right seat of my dad's airplane and eventually I could reach the pedals and started flying,” said Mason Etcheverry.

Will's family gets together at this event each year to honor his legacy.

"It's fun to keep the aviation going I know he was a big aviation fan with Wiley so I'm honored," said Mason.

Will Rogers had influence beyond compare at the time of his death he was one of the most famous people in the world and remains one of Oklahoma's biggest celebrities. 

"He wrote over 7 books he made over 70 movies he had a daily newspaper column that reached 40 million readers," said Jennifer Rogers Etcheverry.

The fly-in happens once a year but you can always learn about Will's life at his birthplace Ranch and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore.