Program lets kids be pilots for a day

HILL AIR FORCE BASE — The white bus pulled in front of the two F-16s, where a pilot and his crew stood at attention.

Fresh off their simulator training, six kids stepped off the bus in their flight suits adorned with their names and a shoulder patch of the 421st Fighter Squadron — the Black Widows. Two more in wheelchairs piled out of a nearby van, and all eight and their families were treated to their own personal air show, courtesy of the 388th Fighter Wing.

As the pilot and crew readied an F-16 for takeoff, the heat signature from the plane's engine blurred the mountains behind it.

And as a medley of rock hits boomed from the sound system on the tarmac, Maj. David "Booster" Graham taxied out his F-16 and performed a series of maneuvers with names like "Falcon Turn" and "Shark's Tooth."

One time, the plane passed the flight line at more than 600 mph, with the roar of its engine trailing behind. Another time, the F-16 climbed from 500 feet to 15,000, straight up, in 27 seconds.

Tuesday's demonstration for the eight pilots for a day was sponsored by the 388th and the Make A Wish Foundation, which strives to grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Sometimes, those children also get a bonus chance to do something fun.

Since 2002, the 388th has worked with the foundation to do a "Pilot for a Day" program. Children receive flight suits, fly in an F-16 simulator, take on call signs, have lunch with fighter pilots and earn their wings.

Tuesday's group included children from Morgan, South Jordan, Salt Lake City, South Ogden, Draper and West Jordan.

Brothers Drew and Noah Roberts of South Jordan are both in wheelchairs due to a condition called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which attacks all of their voluntary muscles. Noah, 9, just recently lost the strength to walk, and Drew, 11, has been in a wheelchair since age 8.

But their parents, Leisha and Corey Roberts, said their sons loved going in the flight simulator, where they not only simulated flying but shooting as well. Sounds perfect for boys who, instead of wrestling at home, ram their wheelchairs into each other.

Capt. Bobby Flammia, a pilot with the 421st Fighter Squadron, said he wishes the wing could do more for the children.

"It gives them a glimpse of our lives and gives us a chance to see their lives," Flammia said.

Christine McAtee, director of community outreach for Make A Wish, said the families have real struggles with medical costs.

"A lot of times, it's fun for us to give them a chance to do something as a family that doesn't cost a lot of money," McAtee said.

E-MAIL: jdougherty@desnews.com