NEWS

World War II pilot still flying in his 90s

U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, prepares to take a flight in a PT-17 Stearman airplane at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner. Haynes' interest, though, was in aviation and when he returned to the States in 1942 he transferred to Kokomo's Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, now Grissom Air Reserve Base, and trained in the PT-17. Haynes' son Robert set up the nostalgic flight with pilot and plane owner Larry Jacobi.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, prepares to take a flight in a PT-17 Stearman airplane at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner. Haynes' interest, though, was in aviation and when he returned to the States in 1942 he transferred to Kokomo's Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, now Grissom Air Reserve Base, and trained in the PT-17. Haynes' son Robert set up the nostalgic flight with pilot and plane owner Larry Jacobi.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, right, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, right, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, prepares to take a flight in a PT-17 Stearman airplane at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner. Haynes' interest, though, was in aviation and when he returned to the States in 1942 he transferred to Kokomo's Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, now Grissom Air Reserve Base, and trained in the PT-17. Haynes' son Robert set up the nostalgic flight with pilot and plane owner Larry Jacobi.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, prepares to take a flight in a PT-17 Stearman airplane at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner. Haynes' interest, though, was in aviation and when he returned to the States in 1942 he transferred to Kokomo's Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, now Grissom Air Reserve Base, and trained in the PT-17. Haynes' son Robert set up the nostalgic flight with pilot and plane owner Larry Jacobi.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, talks about the different planes used during WWII on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, talks about the different planes used during WWII on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
After their flight on a PT-17 Stearman, U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, middle, talks with pilot Larry Jacobi, left, and son Robert at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. "It was just really nice and smooth," said John. "To be able to take hold of the airplane after all these years and maneuver it I felt like I was right at home. It felt good."
After their flight on a PT-17 Stearman, U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, middle, talks with pilot Larry Jacobi, left, and son Robert at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. "It was just really nice and smooth," said John. "To be able to take hold of the airplane after all these years and maneuver it I felt like I was right at home. It felt good."
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Robert Haynes, son of U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, watches as his father takes a nostalgic flight inside of a PT-17 Stearman airplane, piloted by Larry Jacobi, at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Robert Haynes, son of U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, watches as his father takes a nostalgic flight inside of a PT-17 Stearman airplane, piloted by Larry Jacobi, at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Robert Haynes, son of U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, watches as his father takes a nostalgic flight inside of a PT-17 Stearman airplane, piloted by Larry Jacobi, at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Robert Haynes, son of U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, watches as his father takes a nostalgic flight inside of a PT-17 Stearman airplane, piloted by Larry Jacobi, at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, left, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, left, flies in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
With headgear on, U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, waits inside a PT-17 Stearman airplane as the engine is started by pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
With headgear on, U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, waits inside a PT-17 Stearman airplane as the engine is started by pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Pilot Larry Jacobi, left, speaks with U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, before their flight on Sept. 12, 2016.
Pilot Larry Jacobi, left, speaks with U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, before their flight on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, prepares to take off in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, prepares to take off in a PT-17 Stearman airplane with pilot Larry Jacobi at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, makes his way into the front seat of a PT-17 Stearman airplane at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner. Haynes' interest, though, was in aviation and when he returned to the States in 1942 he transferred to Kokomo's Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, now Grissom Air Reserve Base, and trained in the PT-17. Haynes' son Robert set up the nostalgic flight with pilot and plane owner Larry Jacobi.
U.S. Navy veteran John Haynes, 93, makes his way into the front seat of a PT-17 Stearman airplane at the Noblesville Airport on Sept. 12, 2016. Haynes joined the Navy after the 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor and began his career as an Navy Armed Guard gunner. Haynes' interest, though, was in aviation and when he returned to the States in 1942 he transferred to Kokomo's Naval Air Station Bunker Hill, now Grissom Air Reserve Base, and trained in the PT-17. Haynes' son Robert set up the nostalgic flight with pilot and plane owner Larry Jacobi.
Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar