Three elderly pilot chums go on their dream “last hurrah” boys trip

By Brelaun Douglas via SWNS

Three elderly veteran pilot friends - with a combined age of 265 - went on their dream 'last hurrah' boys trip, taking to the skies in a bi-plane for a thrill-seeking final flight.

Jack Henderson, 90, asked Julie Pflaumer to help him and two friends - also veterans and pilots - to enjoy adrenalin-fueled trip 'while they still could.'

Jack had moved into an assisted living facility and was drawn to David Crawford, 93, and Dick Snider, 91, because of their shared passion for flying.

David, was a radio operator in the Navy before becoming a civilian pilot, and Dick served in the US Army, before getting his wings.

Big-hearted travel agent Julie pulled out all the stops and raised the cash needed to get the 'boys' airborne free of charge.

Sadly, David was feeling unwell and unable to make the trip, but former pilot Larry Sump, who served in the US Army intelligence in Japan, filled in.

Larry, 84, was so excited to fly that he didn’t even need his cane to walk to the plane.

Julie, 34, from Rozet, Wyoming, joined the aviators on their expedition at an airfield near the assisted facility in Florence, Oregon.

She said: “According to the ladies at Larry's facility, they haven’t ever seen him without a cane or a walker.

"But the excitement of the flights perked him up so much that for the two days we were there, he didn’t need them.

“My new friend Jack, landed with a boy-like grin. He was able to work the controls to land the plane, so not only did he fly, HE flew again.

“When we asked how it was, he kept having to pause to wipe away tears and compose himself. Seeing the happy tears and excited grins from these guys made it so worth it!”

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Jack, who served in the Navy as a Petty officer first class (PO1) and later became a civilian pilot, said he bonded rapidly with his chums in theassisted living facility.

“They happened to be former pilots too, so we got together rather quickly."

Julie added: “One of Jack's friends had become sick and it led him to question his own mortality.

“I just hit my breaking point and I was like, I’m going to find something for these guys to do whether they like it or not."

Julie found AeroLegengs Biplane Rides, a company based in Florence, that offers bi-plane experiences, and decided to pay for the excursion herself.

She posted her idea in a travel agents group on Facebook and donations began pouring in, raising over $1,100 - well over the $600 needed to fly all three men to their destination.

“I don't deserve all the credit here, this was merely an idea on my part...everybody chipped in."

Julie also got to fly with the plane’s pilot.

“It was so cool, I can see why people get obsessed with this,” she said.

“The experience was incredibly humbling and reaffirmed my way of thinking that you’re never too old to do anything, but you should never save your bucket list for someday.”