Sigelnski, pilot for a day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A nine-year-old pilot-for-a-day visited the 309th Fighter Squadron June 6, where she met with the 56th Fighter Wing commander and other 309th FS members. Maya "Ski" Sigelnski was selected to participate in the pilot-for-a-day program here at Luke through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  

Ski arrived at the 309th with her family, where they met Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th FW commander, Col. Robert Givens, 56th Operations Group commander, Lt. Col. Peter Davey, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, and Capt. Brian Healy, 309th FS safety manager, their base escort for the day. 

Ski was given a flight suit and a patch with her name. She was also given the 309th FS patch for her suit and a squadron hat. After receiving her flight suit, Ski went to a pilots briefing where she saw video from the inside of a cockpit to get an idea of what it's like to fly in an F-16. 

"I want to see where they drop the bombs," Ski said, while watching the video of pilots doing weapons training at the Barry M. Goldwater Range. After a small break Ski and her family had a chance to learn about life support gear and how it protects the pilot. 

Ski and family continued onto the flightline where an F-16 with her name on the cockpit was waiting for her. On the flightline she learned about the workings of the jet and was given the chance to get inside the cockpit and see what a pilot works with daily. She was also told how the flightline team works together to launch and recover aircraft after completing their mission. 

The pilots do more than just fly the F-16, Ski discovered when they took her back to the squadron to have a look at   pilot's workspace and a list of duties they perform. 

"The day was obviously a success," said Capt. Healy. "I feel lucky to have been a part of something that brought a smile to Maya's face. The whole wing, from Maintenance, the OSS, life support and the squadron pulled together to do an incredible thing. She's a great girl and I can say I was privileged to spend the day with her. Beyond that, it's an incredible thing to give back to the community that supports Luke at the incredible level it does."