Private Pilots License

[BIGNASTY]

Im looking into getting a private Pilots License. I have been asking around about a medical problem that I have and cant seem to get any REAL answer. I have been on the FAA website and still cant find any defining answer
http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification/faq/response6/
My medical Problem is that I cant raise my Prosthetic leg to make contact with the rudder peddle. I have been looking at ways that I can overcome this, I don't think that lifting my leg with my hand and making contact that way is going to be acceptable . I was with the wife at her Girly Doctors office the other day and when they were done with the exam the called me into the office. I seen the table that was in there with the Stirrups, and I get the ideas from the most unlikely places. Would it work to some how attach the Stirrup to the rudder peddle and rest my heal in the stirrup? its not like there would be any pressure on it until I push down with my thigh, but wouldn't have to reach down and lift my foot on to the peddle. I cant find anything that says the controls cant be modified, and its not like a clutch that I would wear out a clutch brake or release bearing. Any help would be appreciated, Seems like Government agencies have forgot how to return calls.

BIG

 

[BSeyler]

Big,

I have a neighbor up the road who flies for AA and is also an instructor. I'll run it by him and see what his take is. I need to stop in and torture him about his Powestroke anyway. Yes, he does have Cummins envy.

Bud

 

[Tractorat]

Find yourself a doctor who gives pilots medicals and see what he says. The test (at least it used to be) pretty simple. But he may be able to direct you to someone who might know the answer.

I dont know if its true anymore. But it used to be that you could not fly if you wore contact lenses. So I dont know if they would let you fly with some kind of contraption for your leg.

 

[GCroyle]

BIG,

Have you ran this flying idea past the Mules and got their Hee Haw or did they drop some fresh fertilizer on the idea. Really BIG, ya gotta consult with the flop eared pullers on these serious issues. Com'on.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big,

I have a neighbor up the road who flies for AA and is also an instructor. I'll run it by him and see what his take is. I need to stop in and torture him about his Powestroke anyway. Yes, he does have Cummins envy.

Bud

Bud would appreciate that!!!

BIG

Find yourself a doctor who gives pilots medicals and see what he says. The test (at least it used to be# pretty simple. But he may be able to direct you to someone who might know the answer.

I dont know if its true anymore. But it used to be that you could not fly if you wore contact lenses. So I dont know if they would let you fly with some kind of contraption for your leg.

It wouldn't be on my leg it would be a stirrup that holds the heal of my foot on the peddle without me having to lift my foot which I cant do to be on the peddle.

BIG,

Have you ran this flying idea past the Mules and got their Hee Haw or did they drop some fresh fertilizer on the idea. Really BIG, ya gotta consult with the flop eared pullers on these serious issues. Com'on.

Gary if this idea or Plan works the mules will be in seventh heaven and so will I, we will be so far away from People that the moon would have a population problem, they would have to pump sunlight in to us, we wouldn't be in the middle of nowhere, it would be the end of nowhere. These are two pictures that I have found of Babb MT it must be a holiday because of all the activity in town :-laf The property is another 30 miles past this thriving mega-metropolis.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

BN, the FAA allows for certain waivers based upon the type of disability and yours may well fit into that category. You can retrieve that information from the FARs’, visit an AME [aviation med. examiner] or visit a local FSDO [flight standards district office] of which there is only (1) in Helena Montana. If your prosthetic is acceptable you will have to demonstrate your ability to handle the pedals before proceeding with flight instruction. If memory serves, I recall you mentioning that you had just turned sixty so there are other health issues to take into consideration, as well as prescribed medications. This link will give you a good overview for the Class 3 med.



Here’s the FAA link that will answer a lot of questions.



http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=4fc00e03e7b54e11ec6b3e7965d89b3b&rgn=div6&view=text&node=14:2. 0. 1. 1. 5. 2&idno=14



Another from the APC forum I belong to which will be of interest to you!



http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/career-questions/48915-leg-amputee-airline-pilot.html



Something you might consider is getting a, “Light Sport Pilot,” license… no Med required. It comes with certain limitations eg; day VFR, aircraft MGTOW 1320-lbs, max (2) person aircraft etc…etc. I have several retired A/P friends that have gone this route. With you having a history in aviation leads me to believe you would be a natural… go for it!

Good luck

gregg

 

[BIGNASTY]

BN, the FAA allows for certain waivers based upon the type of disability and yours may well fit into that category. You can retrieve that information from the FARs’, visit an AME [aviation med. examiner] or visit a local FSDO [flight standards district office] of which there is only (1) in Helena Montana. If your prosthetic is acceptable you will have to demonstrate your ability to handle the pedals before proceeding with flight instruction. If memory serves, I recall you mentioning that you had just turned sixty so there are other health issues to take into consideration, as well as prescribed medications. This link will give you a good overview for the Class 3 med.



Here’s the FAA link that will answer a lot of questions.



http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&SID=4fc00e03e7b54e11ec6b3e7965d89b3b&rgn=div6&view=text&node=14:2. 0. 1. 1. 5. 2&idno=14



Another from the APC forum I belong to which will be of interest to you!



http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/career-questions/48915-leg-amputee-airline-pilot.html



Something you might consider is getting a, “Light Sport Pilot,” license… no Med required. It comes with certain limitations eg; day VFR, aircraft MGTOW 1320-lbs, max (2) person aircraft etc…etc. I have several retired A/P friends that have gone this route. With you having a history in aviation leads me to believe you would be a natural… go for it!

Good luck

gregg

Gregg



Thanks you have given me hope, I haven't been to AME but have talked to the Forest Serv. Pilots and they said that I have no medical problems that would disqualify me until I lifted my pant leg, they didn't even know that I had a prosthetic limb. They also said that they know of guys that are in far worse shape than I and can fly, but need to check it all out before I make a move,Have to look into the Sport Pilot lic. cause wouldn't have anyone but the wife and I in it anyway.



Gregg thanks SO MUCH AGAIN!!!!!!!!! Oo.



ONE HAPPY Oo. BIGNASTY

 

[jhenderson]

I would also go to AOPA online and look around. If you are serious, it's relatively inexpensive to join. There are many benefits to membership, including medical advice, all free of charge with membership. I think they have several articles about pilots with far greater disabilities than yours in their archives. Take your time finding an instructor you get along good with. You will be spending a lot of time in a cramped cockpit with them. If you don't like them, it makes for a long day. Don't pass up someone because they are a woman either. There are some very high time, highly respected female pilots out there. Try to find a retired Comm. Pilot. A lot of young instructors are only teaching to build time. I learned more in 25hrs with a retired military pilot than with all my other instructors combined. That having been said, nothing I can think of holds a candle to the feeling of your first solo. My 2 cents.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Checked out the second link, your right should have no problem if I can prove to them I can do it, ive NEVER been one to quit on what was dealt to me, when someone said YOU CANT :-laf I did, aint going to quit now.





Thanks So VERY MUCH Gregg



BIG Oo.

 

[Tractorat]

Well good luck to you BG, I hope you are able to find a solution. I used to find flying a much greater feeling of freedom that hanging around in the mountains.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Trat

The flying would get me to a place to hang around, WITH FAR LESS PEOPLE, like NONE!!!! in winter and very few in other times, and the near by mountains would be all mine!!

 

[BoeingDiesel]

You are very welcome Big. JHenderson made some very good points in choosing a flight instructor. My primary instructor, 1965, was a B-17 captain in WWII and then retired from TWA as a captain on the Connies'. His experience and training was of the highest caliber, but more importantly, he loved flying and openly shared every little nuance of the profession with his students. As to women in flying; some of the best [non-military] stick and rudder drivers I've known were women, so don't let the gender steer you away.
I could go on for pages in my love for flying, but I won't.

Words of wisdom:
1971, Pennsacola, Fl.
Our SQCO gave a short speech and finished with the following;

“Lord knows we love the sky…after all, that's why we do what we do…isn't it? To you that have taken to escaping these earthly bonds be ever wary… for our lady, the sky, will lull you into her waiting arms and comfort you with her angelic beauty…but she is a fickle lover… patiently waiting for that one moment…for that moment of infidelity when she will rise up against you with a vengeance of a scorned lover… and send you back to that place from where you came…be ever diligent young aviator…respect her…never turn your back on her. ”

Best of luck Big and if I can help in anyway, let me know.

 

[Tractorat]

Just remember this. The Lord said "Lo, I will be with you always. " He didnt say anything about when you were up high.

I was afraid of flying for the longest time. (really hated helicopters) But then, I had to take a couple of bush plane flights up in Alaska. Turned my opinion on a dime.

But watch out for mountain flying. It can be "interesting".

 

[WStrmiska]

Big Nasty, look up Jessica Cox on your pc, born without arms is both a black belt and a private pilot. She lived in Tucson, Arizona as of 3 years ago. Her flight instructor was Parrish Traweek at San Manuel Ray Blair airport. Maybe you could talk to one of them or maybe both. I'm also a pilot since 1958 and still going strong. Let us know how you do. Good luck.

 

[ALSAN]

I second AOPA also check out the EAA I belong to both and if you cant find the answer on the web then a call to either will get you an answer or a direction to go Being in the mountains you will need a instructor that can all so teach you about mountain flying . There are strips that the Forest Sev uses and are open to general aviation pilots

That is a different type of flying then here in the midwest I have had pilots license sense 5/2000 I love it up there when I go up I call it my altitude adjustment

I have taken young folks up with me usually in the evening most for there first flight and when I place there hand on the controls with my hand on topand let them do some gentle turns the smile that grows on there face is still there when we land I am glad to show them something that I did not have a chance do when I was that age maybe a future pilot? Who knows

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I knew a pilot that was a paraplegic and he had hand controls on his rudders so I'm sure you can get around this issue. He flew a tail dragger which requires a lot more dancing on the pedals than a tri gear. If your looking at renting to start do you know that on most planes the brakes are attached rudders and you have to be able to press down with your toes to actuate the brakes (you control the left and right brakes separately)?

 

[BIGNASTY]

BIG,



Have you ran this flying idea past the Mules and got their Hee Haw or did they drop some fresh fertilizer on the idea. Really BIG, ya gotta consult with the flop eared pullers on these serious issues. Com'on.

First Gary, I take offence that you called my Gang FLOP EARED PULLERS, they are the best example of the species, all have long pointed upright ears, JUST THE WAY THEY WERE INTENDED TO BE. they don't FLOP like dumbo. if you ever come up here I will make sure that they drop a depth charge on your boot tops.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I have flown planes before, when in the Air Force I was crew chief for a group of FAC pilots, they use to rib me about going with them on a mission to be a WINDOW GUNNER, that's because they didn't have anything else but to stick it out the window. I wouldn't go with them on REAL missions DIDNT HAVE A SET OF GRAPES BIG ENOUGH FOR THAT, but went on many check rides and got some stick time on those. At that time I had all my limbs (no brains but all my limbs) and had no problems with flying. Now the only concern was my prosthetic leg but seems that's not that big of a problem after all. Going to Helena Wednesday so will check out the info that was given. This was the aircraft the Air Force flew, Civilian name is Cessna L19 we called them 01-E bird dogs



I would like to thank ALL for the info and Most of all the Encouragement, im sure that given a chance I can do it. I have no problems with a woman teaching me anything, as long as she don't hold anything against me for being a guy!!! Went down to the Forest Service where they hanger their planes and talked to them, one flew me back from our Bear Study to get my finger stitched, we talked he said he knew a pilot that fly's for the Forest Service that has the same leg amputation and prosthetic as I do so it CAN BE DONE!!!

 

[Tractorat]

When I first started learning to fly, the instructor owned his own plane and thought he was a drill instructor. I think I got a total of 8 or 10 hours with him (if I remember correctly). He made me keep my hand over the throttle and carb heat the whole time, and was a real asss. There were a couple of times when I had to really hold myself back from decking him when we got back.

The second guy learned to fly on the gi bill when he was in the navy. His main job was as a mail man, and he just taught flying for extra bucks, and a chance to fly for free. He was kind of a wild man. Once he talked atc into letting us land a c-150 right in front of a 4 engine heavy on boeing field. We landed hot, and made a hot right turn off the run way that just about flipped us over. Another time, he didnt have any patience with a small plane taking off in front of us as as were coming in on final. So, he buzzed the guy. Had to make a hard right turn, right in the pattern right off the deck. Just about stalled the plane right there.

But he was a "fun" guy to fly with, and really made flying fun. He was a pretty good instructor.

Good luck.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Another wild bunch was the Cal Fire Air Crews, use to take jet fuel to airstrips that didn't have the capacity that was needed for their aircraft. Some crazy folks!!!!