Posted on 02/24/2006 3:21:39 PM PST by SandRat
A participant with the Make-A-Wish Foundation set a record by being the youngest person to sit in the U.S. Air Force's newest fighter and to fly the F-22A Raptor simulator.
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., Feb. 23, 2006 – Team Edwards and the 411th Flight Test Squadron welcomed its "newest pilot" and his family to Edwards Feb. 14.
Reilly Koyl, also known as "Raptor 00," may need a set of telephone books on the seat of the F-22A Raptor to see over the canopy rail, but that didn't deter the intrepid aviator from getting into his new "office."
At 5 years of age, Reilly, who is participating in the Pilot for a Day program, set a record by being the youngest person to sit in the U. S. Air Force's newest fighter and to "fly" the F-22A Raptor simulator, said Maj. John Teichert, 411th Flight Test Squadron assistant operations officer and organizer for the Edwards Pilot for a Day program.
"What we really want is for each child to experience the wish of their imagination which becomes life enriching as well," said Renee Davis, Make-A-Wish Foundation Illinois Chapter wish manager. "It's not just about the day or the week of the trip, but how it impacts the rest of their life and that of their family." Renee Davis, Make-A-Wish Foundation
"Pilot for a Day is a program currently in use at a couple of bases across the country in which children with life-threatening illnesses are given a chance to experience life as a pilot for a day," Teichert said.
Reilly was diagnosed with leukemia at age 2 and just finished up three years of chemotherapy, said Reilly's mother, Mary Koyl.
Teichert escorted the family - Reilly, his parents, and his younger brother, Carter - on their base tour, which started at the 445th Flight Test Squadron. Reilly was "issued" his flight suit, patches, and his official call sign "Raptor 00." From there, Reilly went to the support flight line where he had a chance to sit in and take pictures in an F-16B Fighting Falcon, which had his name on a special plaque.
The highlight of the day, Teichert said, was Reilly's visit to the 411th Flight Test Squadron where he got to see and sit in the Raptor. Senior noncommissioned officers from the 412th Test Wing presented Reilly with two Raptor T-shirts, patches, and a special Raptor light before he headed off to Raptor life support to see what it was like to put on flight gear.
The last stop was at the F-22A flight simulator in the Integrated Facility for Avionics Systems Test. Reilly performed a takeoff, a loop, some aileron rolls, and high-speed flight in the simulator before ending his first "mission."
"He's into flight simulations and can fly them too," Koyl said.
Reilly's "Pilot for a Day" experience was sponsored by the Illinois chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"What we really want is for each child to experience the wish of their imagination which becomes life enriching as well," said Renee Davis, Make-A-Wish Foundation Illinois Chapter wish manager. "It's not just about the day or the week of the trip, but how it impacts the rest of their life and that of their family."
Reilly's mom agreed.
"Reilly really wants to be a pilot when he grows up, so this is really an exciting opportunity for him," Mrs. Koyl said.
Reilly also got some good news about his health recently.
"We just got his last bone morrow and spinal tap results and they're normal," Mrs. Koyl said. "We're really excited, so this kind of marks the start to a normal life for him and for us."
more just in case they're needed.
Damned blurry monitor. Needs replacing.
Poor kid. I hate stories like this even though they are ment well. They make me sad. :(
Where did you get all those tissue boxes? Time-travel back to the Clinton Oval Office?
I cry when I read this kind of stuff, but not always out of sadness
Reilly also got some good news about his health recently.
"We just got his last bone morrow and spinal tap results and they're normal," Mrs. Koyl said. "We're really excited, so this kind of marks the start to a normal life for him and for us."
Reilly's going to be flying Raptors (he'll probably go with the rebel "Lightening II" name instead) or F35s inside of 15 years.
And he'll know what it is he's protecting. A place that will make it possible for a little kid fighting a deadly disease not only to live, but to thrive and even to realize his dream to FLY!
I have and e-warehouse full.
God willing he will be cured.
God willing, he is cured.
I just lost a 36 year old co-worker, who was the mother of 4 young children, to a returned cancer. The office manager at the travel agency where my wife works is dealing with the diagnosis for her husband that they can't do surgery for his returned cancer, which is back after 3 seperate rounds of chemo, and they can't expect any more result from chemo, so he's looking at a very short amount of time.
When I hear a story about someone who may (and I know it's "may") have beaten cancer I latch onto it and just pray. I want it to be true and I want to believe that this little boy will grow up to be healthy and realize his dream.
This I pray.
Thanks SandRat... for the really touching story. *honk*
This is so dear to my heart.
BTTT
Prayers up. I hope he gets to grow up and drive the thing for real.
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