Amputee has question about becoming a pilot

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TimSchlappi

Filing Flight Plan
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Reaper757
Hey everyone. My name is Tim and I have been working in the aviation industry for a very long time. I am currently a FAA rated parachute rigger and have been doing this type of work since graduating high school and enter the Navy. Now that I am retired and looking for a hobby, I thought about learning to fly. That being said, I am a Left Leg Below Knee Amputee. My question is: Is it still possible for me to learn to fly? I know that most modern aircraft use toe brakes, and I don't have the ability to articulate my left ankle to use the toe brakes. I am able to push the rudder pedal back and forth, but no foot on my left side. Please let me know if there are options out there for me. Thanks to everyone.
 
Not sure about today, but had a friend that flew DC-6's for a long time with a below the knee amputation on his right leg.
 
im sure one of the docs will chime in here, but for the most part that is not a difficult issue to deal with. you will have to show that you can operate the controls with your prosthetic. there are many amputees that are licensed to fly. if jessica can get licensed to fly im sure you can do it.
 
There have been pilots that were very successful in spite of their missing limbs. It may require retrofitting your aircraft with hand controls to supplement what you can't actuate. I know of a Comanche that had a hand control for rudder and brakes for the owner that was paraplegic. It can certainly be done.
 
Pretty sure that with a Statement of Demonstrated Ability per FAR 67.401 (with or without assistive devices as necessary for safe operation), you'll have no issues. Would recommend a consultation with your local friendly AME to discuss the issues prior to applying for any medical certificate.

Alternatively, get yourself into an ultralight. I hear they're a lot of fun to fly and don't require a medical. A lot cheaper too, I imagine.
 
Assuming the "typical" aircraft with a nose wheel, you pretty much don't need to use yea olde brakes much except coming for coming to a stop. For that, I would think you could slide your whole foot up onto the brake pedal. There are some with castering nosewheels that would require some more dexterity with the brakes, but many aircraft have a connection between the rudder pedals and the nose wheel (I don't know, I pretty much only fly with a tailwheel). I suspect the primary issue would be the so called medical. Also, consider the sport pilot route and skip the medical - the range of aircraft that you would be able to fly is likely to be expanding significantly in the next few years under MOSIAC (but don't count your chickens...).

I would suggest taking a "discovery" ride or an introductory lesson and ask the instructor if you can experiment with taxiing.
 
TimSchlappi said:
Hey everyone. My name is Tim and I have been working in the aviation industry for a very long time. I am currently a FAA rated parachute rigger and have been doing this type of work since graduating high school and enter the Navy. Now that I am retired and looking for a hobby, I thought about learning to fly. That being said, I am a Left Leg Below Knee Amputee. My question is: Is it still possible for me to learn to fly? I know that most modern aircraft use toe brakes, and I don't have the ability to articulate my left ankle to use the toe brakes. I am able to push the rudder pedal back and forth, but no foot on my left side. Please let me know if there are options out there for me. Thanks to everyone.
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I don't have ankle function on either side, no one would know the difference. (Cessna driver 150/152,172,177,182, 205)
 
A lot of the lighter light-sport airplanes have a single break lever on the stick.
 
Dana said:
A lot of the lighter light-sport airplanes have a single break lever on the stick.
Click to expand...

Sky Arrows use finger brakes, so that would be an option.

Shown here, in front of my right hand.

49077991828_cd3948700e_z.jpg
 
Your physical limitations will only be hampered by the aircraft you chose to fly. There are many airplanes that use braking systems other than toe or heel brakes. My taildragger sonex for example uses a lever on the stick similar to a bicycle hand lever.

I think your challenge is going to be finding a flight school that has an airplane for rent that uses something other than heel/toe brakes and can be accessed by both the pilot and instructor. If you are sure about flying as a hobby it may be better to buy your own airplane to learn in or find a few partners who want to share the cost. This would let you either choose an appropriate airplane with non foot operated brakes, potentially find a STC to retrofit an airplane, or buy an experimental and build your own preferred system. Your amputation won’t prevent you from flying, it just may take a little more work to find the right airplane to learn in.

As others said, before you get to far make sure you consult with an experienced AME to make sure there are no medications or diagnosis in your medical history that may keep you from getting a3rd class medical. Don’t apply for the medical until after you do a consult. Even if you do have something that may prevent a 3rd class medical there are still a ton of airplanes that qualify for light sport privileges that you can fly with no medical needed.
 
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