Wife of Oakton Pilot: 'Flying Meant So Much to Him'

The wife of the Oakton pilot who died in a fiery crash Saturday at an Ohio Air show spoke to the Washington Post about her husband’s love of flying.

 “What can you do about it? If somebody loves something, you can’t say ‘Stop that,’ ” Susan Gantz told the newspaper. “It meant so much to him that some days when he’d be crabby, I’d tell him, ‘Go out to the airport and get a flying fix.’ ”

Charlie Schwenker, 64, of Oakton, and wing walker Jane Wicker, 45, of the Manassas area, were long-time fliers and made up a stunt team that toured the country. Schwenker had been flying since 1975, according to the Post report. 

"We ask for your prayers for the families and privacy of all involved and allow them time to grieve and work through these events," read a post at Wicker's Facebook page.

Schwenker performed in Virginia at airshows from the Flying Circus Aerodrome to the Leesburg Airshow. He's reported to be an industry expert for pilots across the country.

Read more: 

• Oakton Man Dies In Air Show Crash
• Aware of the risks, Virginia pilot and stunt walker loved the freedom of the skies