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Pilot-for-day visits 56th Training Squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Melanie Iannaggi
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A six-year-old quadriplegic set his sights on flying Feb. 26 when he was a pilot-for-a-day at Luke Air Force Base.

Brandon "Hulk" Davis was selected to participate in the program at Luke because he was the victim of a car accident about a year ago, which left him paralyzed and with some dreams unfullfilled. 

"He remembers what it is like to walk and wishes he could again," his mother, Tina Davis said. "He does have some dexterity with fingers on each hand, but his doctors don't have any hope for further recovery."

Brandon's day began at the 56th Training Squadron where he met Col. Doyle Turner, 56th Training Squadron commander, given a flight suit, name patch and coins.

He and his family toured the squadron and was given a briefing by Maj. Bryan Unks, 56th TRS instructor pilot, shared the basics about being a pilot.

Brandon tried on life support gear at the 61st Fighter Squadron and then headed out to the flightline to sit in an F-16 Fighting Falcon.

"Because of his condition, Brandon wasn't able to fully participate in a lot of the activities," Mrs. Davis said. "I was really happy the he could actually sit up in the F-16 because that was the one thing he really wanted to do."  

After lunch at Club Five Six, Major Unks brought Brandon and his family to the flight simulators where they could practice flying jets and the softball fields for a live demonstration of what military working dogs can do.

"I basically liked everything," Brandon said. "I enjoyed seeing the rattlesnakes and seeing my name on the F-16. It was really cool seeing the military working dogs beat up the bad guy at the softball fields."

Major Unks said leading this pilot for a dat tour was one of the most rewarding experiences he has had in the Air Force.

"This was the second time I've done this and it was outstanding," he said. "The whole day exceeded my expectations, because I was unsure of what he could actually do. Seeing his excitement was awesome considering all the obstacles he had to overcome this past year."