Phoenix 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. --  Connor Riordan, a 5-year-old Arizonan recovering from brain cancer, toured the base May 9 as this month's participant in the Pilot for a Day Program.

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

Connor was at the University Medical Center in Tucson for a bone marrow transplant, and was referred to the Pilot for a Day Program by the people at the Ronald McDonald House.

Connor, his mother, Patty Riordan, and his grandfather, Neil Riordan, traveled here from Phoenix.

Connor's day started off by meeting Capt. Andre "G-Hawg" Cardoza, 357th A-10 Instructor Pilot, at the visitors' center.

"I hope Connor will see some of the interesting things his Armed Forces do and have great stories to take back to his friends," said Captain Cardoza. "I also hope his family realizes that we care about children like Connor and wish them the best during their difficult times."

On the way to the 357th FS, Connor saw all the aircraft displays along the flightline. Upon arrival to the squadron, he was outfitted with a new flight suit, complete with patches and a personalized name tag.

"You look pretty sharp in that," said Connor's grandpa, and he responded "I knew you were going to say that."

Next Connor listened to a briefing and went to check out life support gear and try on a pair of night vision goggles.

After finishing up at the 357th FS, Captain Cardoza took Connor and his family to the 79th Hangar to see an HC-130 static display, where Connor got to ask some questions and check everything out.

Mrs. Riordan said she thought her son really seemed to be taking in everything the pilots were saying to him.

"He's been so excited, and it's great to see that he is asking them questions about the aircraft," she said.

The next stop for Connor and his family was the 55th Rescue Squadron. Connor sat inside the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter and his mom ducked under the front of the helicopter and waved to Conner through the Forward Looking Infrared camera. Connor waved back at her picture.

After that, Connor got a special surprise. Knowing Conner was a big fan of the movie Transformers, his next stop was to see the A-10 that flew in it.

"This is the plane, the exact plane from the movie?" asked Mr. Riordan. "That is just amazing."

After sitting in the cockpit for a while, Connor posed for pictures in front of the A-10.

The group then headed to the 355th Operations Support Squadron, where Conner got to experience an A-10 simulator, a system that replicates flying an aircraft over a virtual map as realistically as possible. He had the most fun shooting at other aircraft. Everyone laughed as he shot down the A-10 flying with him.

Lunch was next on the agenda, so they traveled back to the 357th FS. Conner wanted chicken nuggets. After watching Captain Cardoza squirt ketchup on his fries, Conner said "I want ketchup right on top of my fries too, cause I want to be just like Andre."

After they finished eating, they went to the D-M Fire Department, where Connor got to spray water from the fire truck and try on fireman shoes.

Their last stop was the control tower for a brief tour. Connor got to catch the last lands in the tower 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, and new program coordinators intend to organize and conduct one D-M visit per month.