Pilot for a day Published Feb. 13, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Christopher Hummel 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Six year old Stephen "Turkey Bones" Puruleski was selected to participate in the Pilot-For-a-Day program here at Luke. Stephen visited the 310th Fighter Squadron Feb. 8. Stephen arrived with his mother and father where they met Maj. Todd Knight, 310th assistant director of operations, who escorted them to the squadron. There they met with Maj. Paul Wells, their base escort for the day. Once at the squadron, Stephen was given a flight suit and his 310th FS patch. After changing into his flight suit, he attended his step brief and headed to the flightline. Once on the line he saw an F-16 waiting for him with his name on it. He was told how the flightline team works together to launch and recover aircraft after completing their mission. Stephen discovered pilots do more than just fly when they took him back to the squadron to have a look at a pilot's workspace and a list of duties they perform. After lunch, Stephen and his 310th crew headed to the simulator where he sat in an F-16 simulator and experienced what it's like to train like a fighter pilot. After his flying time, Stephen was taken to the control tower. There he met air traffic controllers and discovered another piece to the puzzle that makes up the operations group. At the end of the day Stephen returned to the 310th FS where he received a farewell and gifts. "Stephen received a plaque, framed lithograph, four coins and a model F-16," Major Wells said. "I think today was a big deal for the little guy; he really seemed to enjoy it. When asked what he liked most about his day, Stephen said "The night vision goggles."