. >> reporter: 97-year-old corporal jj p smits claims from the cockpit to the applause of his family. >> it was beautiful. you know right in the open air, nothing like it. i'm going to start taking flying lessons. >> reporter: instructor would be a better fit for the hero who served in five tours and earned four bronzee stars. >> one fella told me if you ever get a chance, get in the nose of a b17 when it's landing and i did but this was better than that. >> reporter: corporal schmidt one of four veterans flying tuesday morning at north perry airport. plane looks brand new but i i was built in 1942. this is the same plane that these guys trained on before heading off to warm. a lot of these pilots haven't seen this plane since world war diane helps get the pilots airborne with the programmed called age less aviation. we love stlierg smievmentz we love giving them something to look forward too. hard to tell if corporal schmid was morning pleased to be in the error doing it in front of his great grandson. >> what did you think if him flying around up in the sky? esome. >> reporter: do y