Seasoned veterans take to the skies over Tallahassee in a World War II vintage biplane

Several North Florida military vets were treated to a dream flight over Tallahassee in a World War Two era biplane on Friday, Nov. 8. The treat was provided by the Florida Health Care Association, which has been hosting the rides across the state.

The restored Stearman trainer was rarin’ to go on the tarmac. 84-year-old Leigh Fairbank III was among those eager to hop into the cockpit. Although he admitted hopping out while airborne and parachuting to the ground was really his specialty.

“I’ve jumped out of hot air balloons, 747s, 141s, 130s, little ones, big ones; no big deal!” he said with a wry smile.

On this flight though Fairbank stayed strapped into the seat in the old trainer’s front cockpit. Florida Health Care Association CEO Emmett Reed admitted some of the vets had logged far more flight hours than the pilot who was taking them aloft.

“Many of them have spent many hours in the cockpit of an airplane serving our country. So what better way to thank them than letting them go on a little joyride.”

And for those on the ground, the old plane flying overhead recalled the days of World War II when thousands of men learned to fly at Tallahassee’s Dale Mabry Field.