Charles Baldwin, a 102-year-old World War II pilot, got the chance to relive his flying days in Fort Worth. He had flown 51 combat missions during the war and, on Saturday, he got back in the cockpit of the same type of plane he piloted 80 years ago.
Baldwin had been learning to fly through a civilian pilot training program before being called to active duty in January 1943. He underwent flight training, graduated, and was commissioned in March 1944. After being sent to France in November 1944, he began flying combat missions in a P-47. He was discharged in December 1945, but remained in the reserves until 1982.
During this special flight, Baldwin's son, who’s also a pilot, flew a second plane alongside his father, allowing them to fly in formation. The veteran says it all came back to him and that it was "just like riding a bike." He also expressed his gratitude to everyone who made the memorable flight possible.
Source: CBS NEWS