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| Library > Pilot for a Day |
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Pilot for a Day
The goal of this program is to benefit children and their families in the local community who have catastrophic illnesses. It is not directed at any one illness of disease, and not restricted to children with "terminal" illnesses. For many children with catastrophic, but not "terminal" illnesses, the Pilot for a Day Program can be a significant part of their recovery. The media efforts associated with the program will be for the purpose of public education, community awareness, and community involvement. The end result is a positive experience for the child.
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Cassy Eubanks
Cassy Eubanks, an 18-year-old Tucsonan battling bone cancer, toured the base Feb. 20 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day Program. Cassy brought along her mother, Marcia, father, Shawn, and sisters, Brianna and Lauren.
Kyle Chamberlain 
Kyle Chamberlain, a 13-year-old Tucsonan battling a rare lung disease, toured the base Jan. 23 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day Program. Kyle brought along his mother, Carolyn, father, George, and Vera "Ginny" Gann, one of his nurses.
Marcos Pacheco
Marcos Pacheco, a 7-year-old Tucsonan with Leukemia, toured here Friday as this month's Pilot for a Day. Marcos lost his hair due to chemotherapy, but his hair has regrown due to reduced chemotherapy treatments.
James Nasby
James "Jay" Nasby, a 17-year-old Tucsonan who recently battled cancer, toured the base Nov. 14 as this month's Pilot for a Day. Jay had a tumor in his hip in January and has undergone chemo, radiation, and surgery to remove the tumor and the cancer is now gone.
Brandon Smalling 
Ten-year-old Brandon Smalling and his family visited here Aug. 9 to participate in the Pilot for a Day program, which helps local children with disabilities or serious illnesses enjoy a day totally focused on them and their interest in aviation.
Andrew Valdez 
Andrew Valdez, a 13-year-old Tucsonan battling Cystic Fibrosis, and his family, toured the base July 25 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day Program.
John Boyd 
John Boyd, a 13-year-old Arizonan with Spastic diplegia Cerebral Palsy, toured the base June 27 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day program
Matthew Belleau
Matthew Belleau, a 7-year-old Arizonan suffering from mild cerebral palsy and ataxia, toured the base June 7 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day program.
Connor Riordan 
Connor Riordan, a 5-year-old Arizonan recovering from brain cancer, toured the base May 9 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day Program. Connor was referred to the Pilot for a Day Program by the people at the Ronald McDonald House.
Kellie Miner-Durkit
Kellie Miner-Durkit, a 13-year-old Arizonan suffering from Acute Myelogenous Leukemia, visited here April 27 as the most recent participant in the Pilot for a Day program.
Previous Pilot for a Day participants
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The original "Pilot for a Day" program began in December of 1994, organized by Captain Rory "Ox" Blackburn at Randolph AFB, Texas. The concept has since spread to several bases across the country. The program focuses on children who have serious or chronic conditions. Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's "Pilot for a Day" program invites these children of all ages, military or civilian, to be a guest of the 355th Fighter Wing and one of Davis-Monthan's flying squadrons for an entire day. In so doing, we strive to give each child a special day and a break from whatever challenges they may face.
The day begins with a brief "swearing in" ceremony at the host flying squadron after which the child becomes an "honorary United States Air Force pilot". A host pilot serves as the child's wingman for the day, answering questions and ensuring our guest (and family) has a day to remember. The host pilot will provide a tour of the squadron to include videos and an aircraft capability/mission briefing. Afterwards, the group gets to visit real fighter and transport aircraft, and sit in the cockpits for an orientation by their host pilot.
Following a static display and a flightline tour where the "pilot" will get a chance to sit in and take pictures with the different aircraft assigned to Davis-Monthan, the "pilot", host, and family will proceed to the operational support squadron where they will receive a briefing and hands on demonstration of the equipment which helps sustain our pilots in the event of ejection from an aircraft. This will include a flight in a virtual reality parachute trainer to see what it is like to fly under canopy while still remaining on the ground. Following this, the tour proceeds to the A-10 simulator where the "pilot" will have a chance to fly the mighty A-10.
After his/her flying experience, the group will proceed back to the host squadron for a breather and lunch with the rest of the squadron members. After a breather in the squadron, the "pilot" will have a chance to visit the Air Traffic Control facilities on base and see what it is like to control aircraft from a dark room looking at radar screens. Following the ATC tour, the group will move to the Control Tower. At the control tower the "pilot" will have a chance to see what airfield operations look like from ten stories up. The "pilot" will have a chance to interact with tower controllers, observe takeoff and landings from outside on the catwalk, and have a chance to clear aircraft for takeoff and/or landing.
Upon completion of their "training", the honorary pilot reports to the Wing Commander during a Wing Commander's Call for a report on their visit to Davis-Monthan AFB. Each guest leaves with patches, souvenirs, and memories to help sustain them in the face of their personal challenges.
The child, parents, and guests are then escorted to the front gate and receive a final "Desert Lightning" salute. The men and women of the 355th Wing are proud to offer this program, and greatly enjoy the company of the children who come to visit us. It is a privilege and an honor for us to be able to offer these young heroes a chance to experience life as a "Pilot for a Day". May God bless those that fly! |
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If you would like more information about the Pilot for a Day Program call the 355th Public Affairs office at 228-3378 or send an e-mail by clicking here. |
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Team Davis-Monthan trains hard, flying, maintaining and supporting the number one Flying Hour Program within Air Combat Command. We do so to be ready to provide combat forces, including A/OA-10 Close Air Support aircraft for delivering decisive firepower in support of ground troops and to aid Combat Search and Rescue forces, EC-130H Compass Call aircraft for shaping the battlespace environment with highly-specialized electronic and information warfare capabilities, HH-60 Pavehawk and HC-130 aircraft for the critical CSAR mission, and expeditionary combat support forces to operate, maintain and otherwise support military operations, anywhere and everywhere in the world. 355th Fighter Wing history |
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D-M Pilot for the Day Program 