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NEWS | June 27, 2007

Team Charleston hosts four-year-old Pilot for a Day

By Shauna Heathman 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

A Team Charleston four-year-old had the opportunity to spend all morning and lunch with the 14th Airlift Squadron as this year's second honorary Pilot for a Day on June 19.

Aidan Lane, son of Maj. Donald Lane, 437th Medical Group pediatrician, and Mrs. Darii Lane, 437th Medical Group physician, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer, at the age of two-and-a-half. After being diagnosed, Aidan had a year of chemotherapy treatment and a full month of daily radiation. In May 2005, he had surgery to remove a tumor in his pelvis. It has been more than a year since his last chemotherapy treatment and the Lane family is making up for lost time.

Referred to the program by this year's first Pilot for a Day parent, Kim Moore, the Lane family showed interest and the 14 AS jumped at the opportunity to host.
This Pilot for a Day is unique in the fact that both his parents are Team Charleston members.

"This has been a really cool experience," said Mrs. Lane. "The outpouring support has been overwhelming. We are so thankful to be stationed here because the support from the base alone is amazing."

Aidan arrived at the 14 AS bright and early in a mini flight suit which was delivered to his parents the night before by Capt. Adam Bingham, 14 AS pilot and Pilot for a Day project officer. After receiving an itinerary briefing by Captain Bingham, Aidan, his sister and parents, joined by his grandparents and aunt and uncle, continued on to the C-17 Aircrew Training Center to fly the simulator.

Another 14 AS pilot, 1st Lt. Russell Hanks, coached Aidan as he flew over several countries in various weather conditions. After sharing a turn with his sister to fly, the group continued on to the base's fire station.

Aidan and his family received a tour of the fire station and one of the fire trucks, becoming more excited when they turned on the hose and let him spray it across the parking lot. After the fire station, Aidan and his family were taken to the flightline via fire truck to see a static C-17.

"He's been so excited about this," said Mrs. Lane. "Every time we go past the flightline he always asks where the planes are going and what they're doing."

Lieutenant Hanks and Captain Bingham took him through the flight deck and opened the back doors for him.

"For some kids, the whole experience of being on base and amongst the pilots is like a dream come true," said Capt. Bingham. "It's tremendous that he was able to come spend the day with us. They have experienced more in their short lives than most of us do our whole life. We've really been looking forward to having Aidan come out."

Leaving the flightline, the group was escorted back to the 14 AS, where they were joined by several members of the 14th to watch a mission video. In addition, Aidan was coined by the 14 AS commander, Lt. Col. "Buddy" Czubaj and given the opportunity to briefly hang out in the commander's office and sit at his desk. Following a tour of the squadron and a little foos ball in the break room, Aidan and his family headed to the Charleston Club to eat lunch.

To Aidan's surprise, he received a donated set of golf clubs and accessories in addition to free golf lessons on base to enhance his interest in the sport. He was also presented with a C-17 tail flash and a signed Mickey Mouse picture.

His parents could not express his excitement in words. They said they try to plan an event every month for him and their two other children.

"It's tough but you just have to take it one day at a time," said Major Lane. "Initially there's so much shock that you can't think about a year or two out, but you have to deal with it and get through it. However, when it's done, play a lot and just enjoy it."

Charleston has been participating in the Pilot of a Day program since 1997 with the help of local hospitals and various charitable organizations. The program helps dreams come true for those children with life threatening illnesses who have expressed a desire to be a pilot for a day.