Photos: Planes soar over LA area to raise awareness to problem of elder abuse

The engines of the three North American Aviation AT-6 Texan airplanes roared as they taxied down the runway at Van Nuys Airport on Tuesday.

These Condor Squadron WWII-era planes have flown over Southern California many times, honoring veterans and participating in the July 4, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and other celebrations.

On Tuesday, they took to the skies to help bring awareness to the problem of elder abuse. After leaving the Van Nuys Airport, the three-plane formation circled the North San Fernando Valley, headed over the Sepulveda Pass to Brentwood, Santa Monica, and Century City, then returned to the San Fernando Valley to land at the Van Nuys Airport.

Commercial pilot Mike Bremner wanted to do something to help bring awareness to the issue of elder abuse and raise money for Alzheimer’s Research.

He combined his passion for aviation and his desire to stop the abuse of the elderly and raise money for Alzheimer’s research and created The Elder Abuse Awareness Flight.

The Flight started in Daytona Beach, Florida, on June 14, soared over Washington, D.C, and arrived in Niagara Falls. On Wednesday, June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the jet circled the Niagara Area, crossed Lake Ontario, and circled the CN Tower in Toronto. Next, Bremner flew the Eclipse 550 jet to Los Angeles, where he rode with the Condor Squadron over the Los Angeles area to finish the fundraising flight.

“We are here today because the voices of elderly people that are being financially and physically abused need to be heard. We are flying these aircraft that were flown by the Greatest Generation, our grandparents, and they (vintage aircraft) need to be protected just like our grandparents and parents need to be protected. We are donating 100% of the money raised to Alzheimer’s Research in Canada and the United States,” said Bremner.

This year was the first time for the Elder Abuse Awareness Flight, but Bremner is hopeful that it will become a yearly event and that people will take notice of the vintage planes flying overhead and the problem of elder abuse.

The Condor Squadron is a group of volunteer aviation enthusiasts dedicated to preserving the memory of those who have served the U.S. The nonprofit squadron participates in memorial flights and other events, flying restored North American Aviation AT-6/SNJ trainers used initially during World War II.

If you would like to help the Elder Abuse Awareness Flight: https://www.gofundme.com/f/elder-abuse-awareness-flight-eaaf

More information on the Condor Squadron: https://www.condorsquadron.org/info/

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