Pilot for day gets eyeful, earful

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Hatch
  • 56th Fighter WIng Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A 7-year-old boy became pilot for a day May 4 when he visited the 62nd Fighter Squadron, and was put through the rigors of a full day of pilot training.
 
Christian "Champ" Simmons is being treated at Phoenix Children's Hospital for
leukemia.  He was selected to participate in the Pilot-For-a-Day program at Luke.
 
Champ arrived with his mother and little brother Jake "The Snake," where they met Lt. Col. Gerald Lanagan, 62nd FS commander, who escorted them to the squadron. There they met with Capt. Sean Holahan, 62nd FS B Flight commander, their base escort for the day. 

Champ was given a flight suit and a patch with his name. He was also given the 62nd FS patch, squadron hat and a T-shirt. After changing into his flight suit Champ learned about life support gear and had a quick snack before continuing onto the flightline where an F-16 with his name on the cockpit was waiting for him.  Champ, his mother and little brother had a chance to get inside and feel what it's like to be a fighter pilot. He was told how the flightline team works together to launch and recover aircraft during the many sorties flown daily at Luke. 

When they took Champ back to the squadron to have a look at the pilot's workspace and list of duties, he discovered that pilots do a lot more than just fly.  After lunch Champ was escorted to the simulators, where he sat in an F-16 simulator and experienced what it's like to train like a fighter pilot. 

After Champ got his wings, he was taken to the control tower to meet the air traffic controllers. With ear piece and binoculars in place he watched and listened as they launched and recovered aircraft. 

At the end of the day, Champ returned to the 62nd FS for a short farewell. 

"He had a blast and loved all the things we did," said Captain Holahan "It's a fantastic opportunity for us to give back to the community."