Able Flight, a nonprofit organization, is giving those who can’t walk the ability to fly.
With the use of a plane adapted for disabilities, people who are paralyzed from the waist down are now able to enjoy the thrill of flight. Instead of the usual foot pedals for control of the rudder (which directs which direction the airplane’s nose is pointing), pilots use hand controls. The planes that Able Flight uses are the Sky Arrow light-weight sport planes, the only such U.S. plane that comes with a handy removable hand control for rudder control.
The training is an intensive one month program that will give the student 25 to 30 flight hours in a Light Sport Airplane. The sport certification will allow the pilot to fly, but there are certain restrictions. They can’t act as pilot in command of a craft that is carrying a passenger, property for hire, on international flights, or with visibility less than 3 miles during the day and 5 miles at night.
Able Flight was founded in 2006 by Charles Stites and provides scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $8,000 to cover the costs of flight training and room and board.
For more information on Able Flight, click here.
Image from Able Flight’s Website.