Pilot for day tours Luke

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman C.J. Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  One boy and his family came all the way from Illinois to Luke Air Force Base April 3 to become a pilot for a day. 

Luke "Big Luke" Wesolek, 16, has cerebral palsy, a brain disorder that varies in severity from slight learning disabilities to full reliance on others for life. Luke's life has been severely limited by his disability. He is currently in a wheelchair and can't speak; he uses sign language to communicate. 

Big Luke arrived at the south gate bright and early with his mom, Lynn; dad, John; brother, Nate; his nurse Chris Almenti and her son Brett. There they met their escort for the day Maj. Tim Smith, 56th Training Squadron. 

The group's first stop took them to a briefing by Lt. Col. Doyle Turner, 56th TRS commander. During the briefing Colonel Turner explained the mission of Luke and the 56th TRS, along with the capabilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon. After the brief, Big Luke received a squadron shirt, nametag and call sign. 

Donning his pilot apparel, Big Luke and his guests departed for radar approach control.
Once inside the RAPCON, Big Luke got to sit behind a radar screen and monitor the air traffic up to 30 miles around the base. His family also had a chance to learn how Airmen watch over Luke's airspace and maintain safety in the sky along with civilian and commercial aircraft. 

After the visit to the RAPCON Big Luke departed for wing life support. 

Here he learned how a pilot exits an F-16 during an emergency. Big Luke's brother Nate was able to do a parachute simulation and the group learned about emergency equipment pilots carry for emergency situations. 

The group then headed to the 309th Fighter Squadron for a squadron tour and a stop at their life support section. 

There Major Smith explained the workings of the helmet while Big Luke was fitted for one. They discussed how the mask provides oxygen and the different helmet attachments such as night-vision goggles. 

Having now been prepared for flight operations Big Luke stepped to the flight line, where he was greeted by a crew chief and an F-16 with his name. Major Smith showed Big Luke around the aircraft for a pre-flight check and then opened the canopy for the family to look inside. 

In a moment of triumph Big Luke's Dad picked him up out of his chair and carried him to the cockpit to sit inside the F-16. After a few photos and an overview of flight instruments Big Luke was lowered back into his chair. Before departing for the simulators Big Luke shook hands with all the Airmen to say thanks. 

Big Luke's family arrived at the simulators and had a chance to fly an F-16 in a 360 degree simulated environment. As the day ended Big Luke was taken back to the 56th TRS for final farewells and gifts from the squadron.