A sprayer in Nebraska, Scott has been a pilot since 1983 and a volunteer with Dream Flights for two years. He got his private license at age 18 and then went on to earn his instrument rating and commercial licence. He’s been spraying since 1992.

Q: What keeps you volunteering?

A: I love making the riders happy. I love flying the airplane, but the riders are the real reason. My wife also volunteers as a crew chief, and we enjoy having this to do together.

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

A: Flying in a Stearman is not as windy as you would think. It is not as windy as riding a motorcycle—especially the way I did when I was a younger guy at 200 mph!

Q: Do you do aerobatics with Dream Flyers?

A: Veterans ask all the time to fly aerobatics, but we do not—maybe some steep turns for former pilots.

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

A: Yes, we will be able to get you into the cockpit, and the seatbelt system we have in the Stearman is better than any seat belt you will ever use on a commercial airline. Riding in a Stearman is just like riding in a convertible car, just 1,000 feet off the ground. It is amazing.