Walton County Man Returns to the Skies After 54 Years

Before August of this year, the last time Elmer Swartzmeyer of Walton County flew a plane was some 54 years ago. But that didn’t deter him when he got the opportunity to fly again this summer.

“At the Wag-N-Walk sponsored by Walton Animal Guild, I won one hour of flight time in a raffle. The flight time was donated by Advanced Aviation Flight Training at Briscoe Airport in Lawrenceville,” Swartzmeyer said, adding there were several delays before it actually took place. “It took five times before the weather would cooperate.”

And how did he find it?

“It was great. It really is just like riding a bike - you never forget how. I remembered all the basic maneuvers, but I wasn’t allowed to try stalls or spins, which apparently are not taught anymore. Getting used to the artificial horizon took a little time, because the plane I flew before didn’t have one.” Swartzmeyer said. “The last time I flew a plane before this year was February 2, 1958 in an Aeronca Model 7AC.”

Swartzmeyer flew out of Briscoe field in Lawrenceville with flight instructor Leighann Bowen. She was very complimentary about her flight companion.

“He was wonderful,” Bowen said. I enjoyed hearing stories about when he used to fly. It was very interesting.”

It was no accident that Swartzmeyer won the tickets at the Wag-N-Walk fundraiser sponsored by the Walton Animal Guild. An avid animal lover, Swartzmeyer is involved in many animal rescue operations - something else he and his flight instructor had in common.

(Bowen) is a one woman dog rescue person, so we had lots to talk about besides flying,” Swartzmeyer said.

Although he is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Swartzmeyer said that wasn’t where he flew.

“I did not fly in the military, although I spent 20 years in the Air Force,” he said. “I was quite fortunate that I was assigned to guided missiles. My civilian occupation was building them for Bell Aircraft; the GAM 63, Rascal Missile for the B-47 bomber. It was rare to be assigned to an Air Force specialty that matched your civilian occupation.” 

Swartzmeyer, known in the community as Dr. Swartzmeyer, got his bachelors and masters while in the Air Force and used the GI Bill to get his Ph.D. 

“I was commissioned when I received my bachelors and retired as a Major,” he said.

So, now that the bug has bitten will he fly again?

“Hard to say,” Swartzmeyer said. “The August flight was to prove I still remembered how. I have no desire to seek another flight, but I probably wouldn't turn one down.”