Bill Greenwood wrote:
Not just for lazy or crazy people. We had a man in Denver, who used a wheelchair and who owned and flew a Aircoupe or Ercoupe. Great guy , one of the managers at DIA. It would be a great plane for anyone that does not have use of their legs. That photo is gorgeous. A Swift is another one that looks good shiny.
There are programs in Colorado to provide skiing for vets who have lost a limb or the use of some. It is very active, and some of these guys are really the go for it types, they are a bit like projectiles going down the hill in sit skis, which are like sleds. I have seen them take some rib shaking falls and just go for more. A CFI with an Aircoupe could do this for flying.
I saw the news story on the lady who flew the Aircoupe with only her feet. Every once in awhile one can get to thinking that you are pretty good at something, then you see someone like that. I don't care if you are Wagstaff or Yeager, someone like that is in another dimension. I bet it is an eye opener and jaw dropper when she calls up a new CFI for a biennial or an instrument currency check! Thanks to the FAA for seeing a way to let the lady prove that she can fly rather than finding ways to exclude her.
Great story, Bill! I love hearing stories about how physically challenged people can master flying an airplane. You're right, someone who can conquer that kind of challenge has my utmost respect and admiration. I remember way back, probably in the 80's or so, I saw a feature on television on the news or some news magazine format show where they did a story on a paralyzed pilot. The guy was paralyzed from the waist down and couldn't use his legs. IIRC, he was flying a specially modified Christen Eagle. Somehow, they hooked up the rudder pedals to a separate stick so he could use his left hand to control the rudders. It was a pretty amazing story and awe-inspiring! Anybody know who that was or have any more info on it?