SEQUIM –– Veterans from World War II will be able to take a flight from their past at the Olympic Peninsula Air Affaire this weekend.
Ageless Aviation Dreams will bring a vintage PT-17 Stearman Army trainer airplane from its headquarters in Carson City, Nev., to provide flights for those living in long-term care communities.
The second Air Affaire is at the Sequim Valley Airport, 468 Dorothy Hunt Lane, Aug. 30-31.
The PT-17 was the same aircraft many military aviators used to train in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s.
The nonprofit Ageless Aviation has been offering such flights since 2011, according to founder Darryl Fisher.
“Our mission is to give back to those who have given,” Fisher said.
“By the end of 2013, 500 dream flights were given in 27 states,” Fisher said.
“We have flown over 197 individuals from 49 cities in 18 states during the 2014 year.
“Our goal of giving 400 Dream Flights will be surpassed by the end of the year.”
Residents of Sherwood Assisted Living in Sequim and Seaport Landing in Port Townsend will be given flights, according to Captain-Crystal Stout, a hot air balloon captain in Sequim and one of the Air Affaire’s organizers.
Oregon pilot Mike Winterboer, a commercial pilot for American Airlines, and his wife, Diane, will fly the red Stearman.
The flights are being sponsored by Carlsborg-based Casey’s Kettle Corn.
“As a fellow pilot and U.S. Army veteran, I fell in love with their mission, and I’m pleased to be able to sponsor this wonderful team here on the Olympic Peninsula,” owner Casey Dennis said.
Spaces are available for Dream Flights.
Applications are available online at tinyurl.com/PDN-vetflight or by calling Diane Winterboer at 541-258-2053.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
