The public gets a close up look at a C-123 “Thunderpig” during last year’s “Wings Over Wheeling,” a vintage vehicle and aircraft show at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport. The event returns this year, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. (File Photo)

Plans are taking flight for the second annual “Wings Over Wheeling” event at the Wheeling-Ohio County Airport this summer.

The gathering that features both vintage planes and an antique car “cruise-in” is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 24.

The timing is a little earlier this year, explained Ohio County Commissioner Zach Abraham.

He explained local pilots already were convening for a safety meeting at the airport on June 24, and this now means some additional small planes will be flying into the airport during “Wings Over Wheeling,” he explained.

“It just so happens it (the safety meeting) falls on the same day,” he said. “We also had to figure out how to get the car clubs there, and this was the only day the vintage planes would be there, as well.”

The World War II era C-47 “Whiskey 7,” and the Vietnam War’s C-123 K “Thunderpig” vintage cargo planes will once again make an appearance.

For a fee, attendees will be able to take a ride in the vintage planes, or in a smaller more modern plane at the site.

Pre-registration for the plane rides is necessary, and those interested will be able to accomplish this through the Ohio County Commission website at www.ohiocountywv.gov. The link has not yet been posted, but will be in the coming days, according to County Administrator Randy Russell.

There will also be food vendors on site.

Wings Over Wheeling proved successful in its debut last fall, and attracted many visitors throughout the day.

“More people tell me it was the first time they have seen the airport in a long time, or that they’ve lived here a long time and didn’t know it existed,” Abraham said.