Pilots Help Auburn Boy Battling Rare Disease Reach For Skies

AUBURN (CBS13) — A local boy battling a rare disease hopped on a plane Monday and shook hands with a war hero.

It was quite the day for Bailey Sear, 12, as the Auburn boy was able to forget about his pain and simply enjoy the moment.

Richard Anderson from TGH Aviation in Auburn and Sunshine Flyers helped make it happen.

Sear is battling a rare mitochondrial disorder that's attacking cells in his body, sapping his energy and potentially shutting down his organs in the future.

His reaction was understated, but don't let it fool you. Monday was a big day for him.

His mom Holly Sear was also on board.

"Bailey loved it and actually flew parts of the plane and he loved all the tricks and rolls--and dives," she said.

The mid-air maneuvers also took him right over his house and back on the ground where Bailey got to meet World War II fighter pilot Col. Bud Anderson. The hero pilot's statue is at the Auburn airport.

Anderson gave Sear an autographed picture from his days flying the P-51 Mustang, along with books and a commemorative coin.

We captured this moment when Sear asked Anderson, "Did you lose many friends?"

"Too many," Anderson said. "Let me tell you, they're probably up there saying Bud Anderson -- you are a proud member."