Local boy becomes Pilot for a Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jamie L. Coggan
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  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.

The purpose of the program is to provide local children with illnesses an enjoyable day completely devoted to them and their interest in aviation.

John started physical therapy at the age of 16 months, and was recently accepted to play in the Little League World Series game in Pennsylvania. In 2005, he also served as an ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network and is currently a spokesman.

During the tour, John brought along his mother, Jan, his father, John, grandmother, Jean, brother, Joseph, and two friends, Darren and Kayla.

John's day started off by meeting Maj. Tonnee "Hooter" Tonnesen, an A-10 Instructor Pilot assigned to the 357th Fighter Squadron, at the base's visitor's center. "This is a really good thing to do for these kids" said Major Tonnesen. "I think everyone will really enjoy the day."

Major Tonnesen brought John and his family to the 357th Fighter Squadron, where they presented him with his own flight suit, complete with a personalized name tag, to wear for the day. This brought a huge smile to his face.

Then they received a tour of the squadron, which included an opportunity to learn more about the gear the pilots wear when flying.

After finishing up at the squadron, Major Tonnesen brought John and his family to the 79th Rescue Squadron's hangar to see an HC-130 static display, where John sat in the pilot's seat. His reaction to the "Hercules" aircraft? "This thing would take at least a year to build, I think," he said.

The next stop for John and his family was the 55th Rescue Squadron, where John sat in the gunner's seat of the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter.

The family then went to see an A-10 static display and had the chance to ask the pilots questions. They were also presented with bullet shells from the A-10's gun to keep as souvenirs.

The group then headed to the 355th Operations Support Squadron, where John, his brother, and his friends experienced an A-10 simulator, a system that replicates flying an aircraft over a virtual map as realistically as possible. His family cheered him on after he shot down an enemy plane.

Lunch was next on the agenda, so they traveled back to the 357th FS.

After they finished eating, they went to the base fire department and to the control tower for a brief tour before heading back home.

The Pilot for a Day program originated at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, in 1994 and has since been implemented at several other Air Force bases. Davis-Monthan hosted its first program participant in August 2000. This year the base has hosted five participants. More information about the program is available at www.dm.af.mil, in the section entitled "Pilot for a Day Program," by calling the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 520-228-3378, or e-mailing Janie McLaury, Chief of Community Relations, at janie.mclaury@dm.af.mil.