I still do not appreciate why the character in this story felt it was necessary to create the impression that he was something which he is not - most adults understand that such actions only result in tears.
If he desperately wanted to don a pair of wings he could have considered one of several half-wing badges available for ground crew, perhaps within the context of his management role in the operation of his charter effort etc.
The half-wings worn by ground-based members of the Royal Flying Doctors Service Down Under (1980's)
Cladosporangium: Please can you post an image of your winged pyjamas!