I currently live in Missouri, and have only found one training center that has an adapted piper cherokee, and that is in Kansas City, Mo (400 miles from me) .. If anyone is flying on the board, I'd love to hear about what kind of equipment/controls your using, and how hard is it to get flight test/check rides?.. I'm very determined to do this!!

I can't help you with any information, just wanted to say that I've recently been thinking about flying too. So far, I've just been thinking about it, not actually looked in to any specifics.

HI Andrew I'm licensed pilot FAA and CAA, hand control is you will be using just like car on the ground and rudder in the air and the yoke


good luck

Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentThere are some good links at the end of this article:

http://www.start-flying.com/disabled%20flying.htm

Its perfectly possible to fly an aircraft with hand controls. I'm not a paraplegic, I had polio, and have callipers on both legs and use a wheelchair full-time. I fly for a living when I'm not talking about flying

Thanks for the great link and pictures!! great old tiger moth you got there!! I love old bi-planes!

Thank for the great link and pictures!! great old tiger moth you got there!! I love old bi-planes!

Absolutely spot on! Its a 1941 Tiger Moth but unfortunately not mine. Its just one of about a dozen Tiger Moths I have flown in the past six summer seasons for various companies. I must have flown that particular aircraft for over 500 hours. I don't own any of the aircraft, I just fly them; I'm a freelance commercial pilot and specialise in vintage aircraft.

There is a guy Kim Blackseth who is a C-5 quad and a pilot in San Francisco who flies his own specially modified plane. See him and details of his modifications to Ercoupe on Quad flying Ercoupe Plane. Lots of other videos of him in the two seater with wife and solo cross country, so is possible provided you pass medical examination.

Hi Andrew,
My friend in fact knows a lot about flying. Years ago, he was the first para in Germany to get official permission to fly. He developed his own equipment, and he even won prizes in competitions (as a co-pilot, I believe). He is very helpful. His website: www.rolliflieger.de (German, mostly, but you find links and his e-mail address. His name: Michael Amtmann) If not, contact me.

Good luck! He always tells me how much he treasures flying.
Jenny

WHAT????

I've been a pilot since 1981 and selling my airplane (Cessna 340) sale closes mid March, in part due to my inability (or perceived inability) to fly it, and the economy.

I can deal with the disabilities and figure out new ways to do the things I love, but the saddest part of my injuries have been the fear I'll never fly again.

I have ate, slept and breathed airplanes all my life.

Here in Australia, quite a few paras fly power planes and one used to be endorsed in a Pitts aerobatic and flew stunts. There are bolt on hand controls for Cesnas and other planes but all need CASA approval to be used. I'm an ex-glider and it is easier to fly power as control is via push/pull rods rather than pull/pull cables on most gliders.

One para I know who flies was injured in a crash while a test pilot for an Aircraft designed for short takeoff/landings - the Nomad. He tried to return to gliding but regs were too hard to meet so went back to just power.

Biggest problem most have is getting in and out so high wing Cesnas are usually preferred. There is an organisation of disabled pilots in the US. Contact them for advice as to where you can train.

One of my dads friends has a cirrus, it is controlled almost entirely with a single one handed stick. I had never flown a plane before an thought it was pretty easy... wish I could buy one.

Andrew my boy you are in luck. I'm a T-6 imcomplete and I fly. PA28-161 and buying a hand control for a cessna 172.

You want to get a sport pilot license. no medical required, but it limits you to what you can fly. Then you need to look into the IWA. International wheelchair aviators is mainly here in the us , but dose have some "friendly chaps"out flying. I'm a member and that's how I found my handcontrol for the cessna.

Then help you find a airport near you that can help. FBOs are a cool place to hang out and watch the planes land and takeoff. That will be your best place to start looking as well.

Hope this helps