RED OAK, Iowa- After about nine months of waiting following the application, 98-year-old Ernie Smith of Red Oak has been named the Oldest Active Pilot in the World, by the Guinness Book of World Records. Smith was nominated by friends, at the Red Oak Airport last January.
On Monday Smith got the word that he is confirmed as the oldest pilot. The effort required a lot of paper work. Witnesses in April watched Smith fly the airplane solo, and video taped his effort, all to document that he is still an active pilot.
Smith said this year he’d gotten plaques from groups recognizing him as the World’s Oldest Pilot, before the recognition even became official.
Smith said he plans to keep flying a rented Cessna 150 a couple of times each week, weather permitting.