Jared, now 35, started flying when he was 15 years old. He soloed on his 16th birthday, earned his private license at 17 and got his instrument rating in college.

Jared has been a skydive pilot, a flight instructor (CFI/CFII/MEI) and a captain at Mesa Airlines (CRJ). He did his tailwheel in 2017, joined American in 2018 (Airbus A320) and first soloed the Stearman in late 2019. He has about 5,200 total flying hours now. He’s been volunteering with Dream Flights since 2015.

“I haven’t been a pilot yet on tour, but being a crew chief is a blast,” he says. “You get to interact and talk with all of the seniors and hear all their stories. It’s very personal, and rewarding.”

Q: What keeps you volunteering?

A: Being able to take a passion for airplanes and share that in a productive way with seniors is more exciting than just staring at a warbird in a hangar. It’s wonderful to preserve history, but we get to use it. These seniors gave their early part of their lives to service, and now we get to take our passion for these biplanes and use it to serve them, elevating the whole experience greater than the sum of its parts. It’s the ultimate warbird experience! The warbirds serve again—and impact these seniors in a way that brings their life experiences full circle towards the end. It’s fascinating to witness that, and be a part of it.

Q: What’s it like to fly in a Stearman?

A: It’s windy, but maybe not as much as you’d think! The windscreen blocks all the wind up front. Just think of it like taking a ride in a convertible car!

Q: What’s your advice to first-time flyers?

A: I’d tell a first time flyer that it’s safer than a car ride; it’s not as windy as they’d imagine; getting in and out is a very smooth process; and to just enjoy the ride. It’s an unforgettable experience. You won’t regret it!