97 AMW Graduates Six-Year-Old Pilot

By Airman 1st Class Dallin Wrye, 97 AMW Public Affairs / Published July 26, 2019

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Bradey Hyle, honorary Pilot for a Day and cancer survivor, is presented an honorary pilot certificate by Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Joyce, the 97th Training Squadron Superintendant, July 19, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. This was part of the Pilot for a Day program which helps kids with a serious illness take a break from the treatments and have a day to enjoy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Dallin Wrye)

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Bradey Hyle, honorary Pilot for a Day and cancer survivor, gets fitted for flight gear at the 97th Operations Support Squadron, July 19, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. The 97th Air Mobility Wing is expanding the Pilot for a Day program, trying to help one child every quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Dallin Wrye)

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Bradey Hyle, honorary Pilot for a Day and cancer survivor, watches a plane take off from the back of a C-17 Globemaster III, July 19, 2019, at Altus Air Force Base, Okla. Bradey visited several different agencies on base to include the K-9 unit, the fire department and the 97th Operations Support Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class Dallin Wrye)

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- On July 19th, a six-year-old cancer survivor from Tulsa, Okla. became one of youngest pilots to train at the 97th Air Mobility Wing as part of the Pilot for a Day program. This program helps kids like Bradey Hyle take their minds off of medical treatments and have a memorable day. After accepting the rank of colonel, Bradey was off to train to be the next great pilot at Altus.

To begin his training, he went to the Operations Support Squadron to get fitted for flight gear. After he had what he needed, he went to the control tower to take notes on how the planes were taxiing and taking off.

Before flying a plane, he needed to get some hand-on experience inside the aircraft. After touring the KC -135 Stratotanker, C-17 Globemaster III and the KC-46A Pegasus, he felt prepared to take to the skies.

With years of training crammed into one single day, he stepped into the cockpit to fly for the first time. Although he was just in a simulator, Bradey got a taste of what it feels like to be a pilot.
While on base, Bradey made sure to visit the K-9 team, shooting range simulator and the fire department.

As the day came to an end, he was presented with a certificate declaring him an honorary pilot of the Mighty 97th. The day not only meant a lot to Bradey, but also to the members of the 97th who help strengthen relationships with the community.