Helicopter Pilot Zachary

Meet wish kid Zachary, a 7-year-old boy from Boone, North Carolina. He likes tee ball, riding his go-kart, and conquering the playground when he’s not off fighting cancer. Zachary loves to read. “The Fire Cat” and “Dragons Love Tacos” are his current book favorites. Zachary is home-schooled and when on break, he fuels up with Pirate’s Booty snacks and spends time with the family chickens and fish.

Zachary also likes helicopters. His treatment was done in Winston-Salem and his room overlooked the helicopter pad. He really liked watching the helicopters. Zachary got to go up to the hospital helipad and watch a helicopter take off, grinning as the pilot waved at him. Zachary’s wish is to be a helicopter pilot for the day.

During his wish, Zachary was shy with the Highlands Emergency Air Rescue and Transport team at first, but once he warmed up, he was all about it! The helicopter team gave him a tour of the aircraft then set up a simulation and walked him through everything helicopter pilots do. They also gave him his own helicopter pilot manual on how to be a pilot.

They went up and flew over Bristol Motor Speedway and Zachary got to steer - with a little help from pilot Jim. Zachary really liked being in the air and flying the helicopter was his favorite part. “The staff were just fantastic,” said wish mom Janet. “He's always said he wanted to be a helicopter pilot, but after his wish, he DEFINITELY wants to be a helicopter pilot!”