Thousands enjoy Open Cockpit Day at Castle Air Museum

MERCED COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- It's not often you get the chance to sit in the pilot's seat of a military aircraft, but thousands of people had that opportunity on Sunday at Castle Air Museum near Atwater.

The museum hosted its annual Summer Open Cockpit Day. Visitors were allowed to climb inside many of the 58 aircraft on display, including the B-52 bomber and the F-14 Tomcat of "Top Gun" fame. This year, families could also try out two simulators to get a hands-on feel of flying.

One of the most popular attractions was the VC-9C presidential plane, which was used by Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton, along with several vice presidents and first ladies.