Flying with a "disability"

[wildthing]

Hi Head Trauma.

This is the reason why we only issued Grumpy with a licence to fly circuits or cross countries in a left hand direction.
Seriously, We have been approached on may occasions by people with limited use or a limb missing.
There are avenues to assit you attaining a NPL depending on the severtity.
There is also an Aeroclub section for disabled pilots DAASA http://www.daasa.co.za/
I would encourage more such persons to come and fly and work towards a pilots licence as I admire your spirit.
As the NPL only requires a Class 4 medical this make the requirement a bit easier.

Please feel free to contact me for any assistance and guidance to get you going towards your licence.
If you are in the JHB area call me and I will happily take you for a flip in a Piper or Cessna and introduce you to some of the local instructors.

Pierre
RAASA
011 081 9600
pierre@raasa.co.za

[German]

Nice one Pierre!!

[Grumpy]

This is the reason why we only issued Grumpy with a licence to fly circuits or cross countries in a left hand direction. Pierre RAASA 011 081 9600 pierre@raasa.co.za

WTF............
Weet jy dat jy nou aan 'Die Leeu se knaters krap' ???

[wildthing]

Ja ek weet maar kon dit nie weerstaan nie, ek sal maar vir die Leeu n bier koop as ek weer in jou valley kom kuier.

[Gyronaut]

This is the reason why we only issued Grumpy with a licence to fly circuits or cross countries in a left hand direction.

I used to think ol' Grumps was "All Right", now I hear he is "All Left"!

[Grumpy]

This is the reason why we only issued Grumpy with a licence to fly circuits or cross countries in a left hand direction.

I used to think ol' Grumps was "All Right", now I hear he is "All Left"!

Hhhhmmmmm......... Al die 'kommetdiehande'

[Jabbanaught]

This is the reason why we only issued Grumpy with a licence to fly circuits or cross countries in a left hand direction.

I used to think ol' Grumps was "All Right", now I hear he is "All Left"!

Shame we still like you lefty , I mean OLD GRUMPS

[HeadTrauma]

Hi Headtrauma

We know each other from mails since 2006 , As you know i am disabled on the left side , that means leg and arm and CLAW hand .

MY doctor got me after several medicals and more issues to get a class 2 medical , I completed my PPL on Cessna , MOved to Jabiru , and now am flying gyro's .

Hey Jabba:-)

Yes I remember our conversations. Unfortunately for me I fell on some hard times, so the dream had to be postponed. Do you still own the Jabiru?

The reason why I asked, it might be a real problem if you had problems with your vision or hearing.

Hey Nacho,

Thankfully my ears and eyes are 100% or at least as close as a 33 year old's can get.

I am a paraplegic due to a back injury and I have been through the whole shebang with Aviation Medical Board. I had to do a 'flight test with a approved CAA instructor' (according to the letter) to prove that I can indeed control the aircraft with my disability.

If you're looking to buy I know Bantam (Andrew Pappas) can also custom modify one for you.

Unfortunately I have since lost my medical due to medication I have to take, the medical board is unrelenting on this, so if you're taking anything at all consult a aviation medical doctor first. They also seem to be very vary of any head injury, so you'll need to visit every specialist you know and get them to write reports. If you've got the reports/MRIs of your original injury/diagnosis this will also help.

Hello Jana
Luckily I'm not on any meds for my injuries and have not been for over 13 years. I also have 0 history of epilepsy (usually associated with head injuries). I do understand your point regarding seeing the specialists though...I think that exercise (seeing them all again, MRI's, EEG's...) will probably cost more than actually getting my licence.

Regarding buying; Well yes, the plan is to do medical then buy/modify and qualify on my own airie. Or is this an un-realistic expectation? This is presuming that the CAA will insist that I qualify on a modified controls AC?

Also where can I read more regarding the different medical classes?

I don't think that will be a difficult one to overcome. Cheetah specifically - Instead of having the throttle on the left armrest you could simply get it panel mounted like most other airplanes. Don't think Rainbow will have any trouble doing that. Then as for the left foot a little weak - if you put a loop around the right hand rudder pedal that you hook your foot into (ala bicycle stiprrup) then surely you right foot will assist the left by pulling instead of the left only pushing. Get the medical done and form there I think it will be a cinch

I've gone through the Cheetah forum and read the posts regarding the different throttle setups. My concern/question is during landings, do you have to make constant small adjustments? If I do, it means taking hand of the stick?

Regarding rudder pedals, great idea...A stirup and a heel plate so I can push and pull....maybe on an axis?

This is the reason why we only issued Grumpy with a licence to fly circuits or cross countries in a left hand direction.
Seriously, We have been approached on may occasions by people with limited use or a limb missing.
There are avenues to assit you attaining a NPL depending on the severtity.
There is also an Aeroclub section for disabled pilots DAASA http://www.daasa.co.za/
I would encourage more such persons to come and fly and work towards a pilots licence as I admire your spirit.
As the NPL only requires a Class 4 medical this make the requirement a bit easier.

Please feel free to contact me for any assistance and guidance to get you going towards your licence.
If you are in the JHB area call me and I will happily take you for a flip in a Piper or Cessna and introduce you to some of the local instructors.

Pierre
RAASA

Thanks Pierre. Having a look at the DAASA site now. Will contact you and def take you up on the offer I work up the road from GC. Where are you based out of curiosity? I'm assuming Rand?

Seeing as grumpy can only go left...can I get the other half of his licence and go right?

[Grumpy]

[Seeing as grumpy can only go left...can I get the other half of his licence and go right?

Yeah RIGHT. Can I now please be LEFT out of this thread !!!

[Morph]

I've gone through the Cheetah forum and read the posts regarding the different throttle setups. My concern/question is during landings, do you have to make constant small adjustments? If I do, it means taking hand of the stick?

Yes the landing stage does require the ability to operate both stick and throttle and rudders all at the same time. You cannot let go of the stick at all during the landing phase. Perhaps the throttle can be attached to the stick using something like a bicycle gear changer, that is ratcheted so that it stays in place, so you can releax your hand, something like the trikes do with hand throttles. Then the major part of the hand and bottom 3 fingers securely hold the stick and the index finger pushes and pulls the throttle. Then have a seccond bigger lever for breaking. Once again like a bike that has both on the handle bars.

Regarding rudder pedals, great idea...A stirup and a heel plate so I can push and pull....maybe on an axis?

The two pedals are usually linked especially if they have a steerable nose wheel. So pushing and pulling with the one foot would work. Alternatively replace the rudder pedals with a round disk, ala the steering they use in an adapted vehicle for someone with no arm functions. The right seat would need to remain standard for the instructor of course.

I would also be easier to look at aircraft with central joystick, and opposed to two joysticks in between the legs. Complicates the mods a bit.

[wildthing]

HeadTrauma

I am based at Rand, Hangar 50.

Pierre.

[Morph]

Of course, any mods performed on the aircraft will have to be inspected and approved by CAA

[Low Level]

Regarding rudder pedals, great idea...A stirup and a heel plate so I can push and pull....maybe on an axis?

There is a guy with one leg - Hannes I think, flying his gyro from Microland with this modification. Works very well.

[t-bird]

This is unbelievable.
I struggled enough with all my limbs.

You guys does not have a disability but an ABILITY!!

[Bundy]

Head trauma...

... I salute you Sir!

Go for it and dont give up! I look forward to seeing you "up there" !