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- Path: sparky!uunet!charon.amdahl.com!pacbell.com!sgiblab!sgigate!olivea!bunker!hcap!hnews!261!1000!John.Lynch
- From: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org (John Lynch)
- Newsgroups: misc.handicap
- Subject: Small Planes with Hand Controls ?
- Message-ID: <25761@handicap.news>
- Date: 18 Nov 92 21:31:22 GMT
- Sender: news@bunker.shel.isc-br.com
- Reply-To: John.Lynch@f1000.n261.z1.fidonet.org
- Organization: FidoNet node 1:261/1000 - Nerve Center, Pikesville MD
- Lines: 39
- Approved: wtm@hnews.fidonet.org
- X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
- Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com
-
- Index Number: 25761
-
- [This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]
-
- MG> Does anyone know anything about learning to fly if you use a
- MG> wheelchair ? I think I've read about people using hand controls in
- MG> small planes. Has anyone here done it? This is something I've
- MG> thought about doing, but the possible complications have always
- MG> stopped me. Care to give me some encouragement ?
-
- Sure, I know about it. I am a paraplegic liscensed pilot. I
- usually fly a Piper Cheerkee, 4 passanger. Hand controls were
- built by Bill Blackwood of the California Wheelchair Pilots Ass.
- Cost me about $350 about 17 years ago. Also have a set that will
- fit a Cessna 150, 172, and Carinal.
-
- What you have to do is call the FAA and get a doctor's name who
- can give you a physical. You will flunk it. Don't worry. You
- appeal to the FAA chief doctor for a waiver of disabity. Once you
- get that by demonstrating to the FAA you can use the handcontrols
- properly, you are in business for the future medicals. No problem
- unless you have major medical problems.
-
- Some of you medications could cause problems./
- But be straight with the FAA.
-
- I origianally learned to fly in the Air Force and just need to
- transition to handcontrols. But I know a couple of guys who
- started flying with handcontrols and had no problems.
-
- Go for it. It is expensive, but it might be worth a try if you
- like flying. Certinally different!
-
- Regards, John
- P.S. Drop me a line with any questions.
-
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