Georgetown senior citizens take to the skies in 1940 biplane
AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - A group of Central Texas senior citizens took to the skies Wednesday morning in a 1940 Boeing Stearman biplane courtesy of a nonprofit called "Ageless Aviation Dreams Foundation."
"When I was 18 years old it's the first Navy airplane I flew," said 94-year-old WWII veteran Leroy Davis.
On Wednesday the Navy lieutenant stepped back in time to the beginnings of his days as a pilot.
"It brings back memories of the instructor trying to teach me how to do aerobatics," Davis said.
Davis is a resident at The Oaks, a senior living community in Georgetown and on Wednesday, he and a group of his friends from The Oaks flew in the biplane.
"Our mission is to give back to those that have given," said Darryl Fisher, founder, president and pilot of Ageless Aviation Dreams.
Fisher says they travel nationwide doing this for veterans and other senior citizens, offering rides in the vintage aircraft that's been in his family for generations. They've flown more than 3,000 "Dream" flights in 42 states over the past decade.
"I'm ready to do it you bet. been looking forward to it," said 96-year-old Army veteran Earl McLain. "Hopefully I'll get him to take me for a loop, do you suppose he'll do that?"
"They all want to do loops but the FAA kind of frowns on that," Fisher joked.
83-year-old Shirley Worthington says her husband was in special forces for 24 years.
"We were in Germany, Korea, we were in Paris for 2 years one time," Worthington said.
Despite what private struggles she may be going through, she isn't letting that keep her down.
"Right now I have cancer of the throat. I have had it for 8 years," Worthington said. "When you get into your 80's people think you're done you know and this kind of thing is great for us because it's fun."
"It makes you feel free I think. It's a good feeling. I like it," she said about the flight above Georgetown.
It's clear Worthington loves life and loves where she's living at The Oaks.
"Every day we have somebody new to talk to or tell secrets to or...we say dirty jokes too you know," Worthington said.
These "Dream" flights are very special to the passengers, like Worthington.
"I think that everybody that comes here feels special when people take the time to do this for us you know?" Worthington said.
They're special to the pilots, like Fisher.
"There isn't a day that goes by when I'm flying that I don't tear up," Fisher said. "It's so emotional, they're so appreciative, it takes them back."
They're also special to those who will always be pilots, like Davis.
"All in all it was a great experience and I was so happy to be able to perhaps make my last flight in a Stearman. Never dreamed I'd be able to do that," Davis said.
The foundation says their next stop is Jennings, Louisiana. But they'll be back in Georgetown next fall.