[Niteflyr]

I think the "war-vet" was along for the ride. He was not the "safety pilot," which means pilot-in-command.

Sorry...the article states he WAS the safety pilot...

[Niteflyr]

The safety pilot was the only legal pilot in the airplane so she did not “solo”anything and cannot legally be pilot in command. All she can do is log instruction from a CFI (certified flight instructor)

[ml/nj]

Sorry...the article states he WAS the safety pilot...

Either you, or the reporter, or both would seem to have difficulty with the English language:

Kimberly Anyadike took off from Compton 13 days ago with an adult safety pilot and Levi Thornhill, an 87-year-old who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. They flew to Newport News, Va., making about a dozen stops along the way.

It doesn't say, "with an adult safety pilot, Levi Thornhill, an 87-year-old."

ML/NJ