Meet David Tan from Middleton, Wisconsin. Today, he’s our captain, and I’d like to introduce him to all of you. David spent 40 years as a pilot in the military, commercial, and private sectors before retiring.
Despite retiring, he still enjoys flying his two-seat Italian Aermacchi SF-260, often used for aerobatics and by smaller air forces. Who’s his companion in the second seat? Well, it’s none other than a rescue dog!
Since 2012, David has flown more than 360 dogs. The picture shows him relocating a mother and her eight pups to a safe place.
But it’s not just dogs; he’s also had interesting passengers in the cockpit, including 23 cats, three goats with frostbite, a potbelly pig, and even a bat! He helped transport the bat to an Ohio wildlife sanctuary.
“We named the bat Bruce,” David said, humorously connecting it to Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne.
Bored Panda reached out to David to discover more about his life story. “During high school, my folks gifted me flying lessons, and I secured my private pilot license at 18,” he shared. “I wasn’t excelling in other areas, but flying planes clicked for me. It turned out to be a fulfilling career because I genuinely liked it.”
It perfectly echoes the adage, ‘find a job you love and you’ll never work another day in your life.’ Nevertheless, it wasn’t without its challenges. Or, dare I say, without a few bumps in the air? I’ll quit with the puns.
“I hated the failures and errors along the way,” David said, but “ultimately, I never had an accident and never injured anyone at the controls of a plane, so there are thousands of people who are worse than I am at piloting.”
To be a skilled pilot, it’s crucial to consistently make wise choices. According to David, a seasoned pilot, there’s a saying, “A great pilot relies on smart decisions to steer clear of situations demanding exceptional skills.”
“Decision areas include suitable weather, making sure the aircraft is in a good condition with the right amount of fuel to do the mission and loaded within limits. Flying is not particularly difficult, but a fool can make it difficult and dangerous through carelessness, recklessness, and stupidity.”
In his 15-year career as a rescue helicopter pilot with the Republic of Singapore Air Force, he trained on the same aircraft. The plane bears his name, and it seems to go by the name Gina. When the sun shines on it, the smoked brown upper panel of the bluebird flashes yellow in the cockpit.
After David read an article in an aviation trade publication, he found out about Pilots N Paws, a non-profit 501(c)(3) group with a clear mission: saving the lives of helpless animals. They connect volunteer pilots and aircraft owners willing to transport animals, organize rescue flights, offer overnight foster care or shelter, and more.
Usually, a rescue mission involves multiple pilots covering a distance of about 250 miles before handing over the animal to another aircraft.
David often conducts rescue missions in the southern states.“There are just some terrible stories out there [about] how cruel people can be to animals, especially down south; the abandonments are horrible,” David told Madison Magazine. “A family would just leave them, discard them like a piece of old furniture or something.”
He shared a story about a puppy named April. Her owners left her when they found out she had peed inside the house. They took her to the vet, intending to put her down. Instead, the vet contacted a rescue group. David got involved, and he transported April to a rescue in Iowa. “So that kind of gets me. I feel good when at least… I can contribute toward where they go,” he explained.
The pilot also partners with rescue organizations he got to know through his job of moving puppies nationwide. Some of these groups include Fetch Wisconsin, Albert’s Dog Lounge, and Underdog Pet Rescue and Veterinary Services.
The Bissell Pet Foundation and the Dane County Humane Society sometimes team up for bigger flights, transporting over 100 animals at once.
“It’s just amazing, the guys and gals who do this,” David said. “I’ve met them at the Dane County Airport before and there were like 10 different animals that came within a few hours. They just magically arrived, as far as we were concerned. These people are just really kind-hearted.”
While most missions involve simply moving animals between airports, there are those fortunate occasions when he transports a few joyful pups to reunite with their loving forever families. “You sort of say, ‘Hope you have a great rest of your life,’ you know?” David said. “‘Hope these people love you forever.’”
Buddy, a fortunate dog, waited 142 days for a new family, hoping someone would notice him, as mentioned in a Facebook post by the Humane Society of Marathon County.
“To see beyond his age and his graying face. To see beyond his medical issues and bad in-kennel behavior. To see beyond his dislike of other pets and the stress of shelter life.”
Kelly, a Californian visitor, instantly fell in love when she planned to adopt an older dog from a shelter but came across Buddy. Despite his age and issues, she decided to take him in. They were headed to sunny San Diego, California, with Buddy being the 303rd dog on the flight. Kelly did it to give him the life he deserved and support our cause, as the society expressed, “Buddy, you are cherished, and we’re incredibly proud!”
Sometimes, families want to repay David for his assistance, but he always refuses the money. Instead, he either donates it to rescues or uses it for the medical expenses of the animals they rescue.
“They’re always short [on money], especially when it comes to medical care for the animals,” David said. “It just costs so much nowadays.” He also brushes off any praise, saying, “The people who really pull the weight are the rescues.”
Given the intricate set of specific skills needed for flying, it’s essential for pilots to practice regularly. This means spending ample time in the air to stay sharp and avoid losing proficiency.
“If you fly, it’s a perishable skill and you must keep current,” David believes. “So rather than take a flight and go somewhere for what we call the proverbial $200 hamburger, I’d rather be flying dogs.”
Regrettably, he doesn’t have lots of time with the animals. Still, Genevieve, a setter, and Frankie, a German shepherd, are his top picks, and both have loving homes now.
“I will fly my own plane as long as health and finances allow!” David said.
He was asked what he would say to all of you, dear readers, and his reply was simple: “Show kindness to animals!”
“The reason I contribute my time and finances is that there is so much cruelty out there towards animals. I can’t change any of that, but can help the lucky ones in a small way.”
David keeps sharing his adventures on his Facebook page. If you want to know more or see more cute animals he rescues, take a look. You can also help Pilots N Paws by donating through this link if you want to support what they’re doing. Wishing David the best in his adventures, and hoping more dogs get to enjoy flying fun.