United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi Everyone,i wanted to take flying lessons with my local aero club and eventually get a pilot's licence but,it's not possible with my injury and their planes.Does anybody here know if there is equipment i could get so i could operate a plane(light aircraft) SAFELY

Hi,
I was just fliping through these and did not mean to stop on this one. My name is Rusty and to make a long story short. I can tell you ANYTHING you want are need to know. My mom is a flight instructor. She has more ratings than I care to list. I was suppose to follow in mom's foot steps but god dealt me a different hand. We have been thinking about getting an 172 or maybe a 150 fixed up where I could fly again. If I can help you at all just let me know.

Rusty

yes I fly a Cessna Sky Hawk I have not adbeted it yet but i fly it. I know a guy in Florida named Rich that toke up flying last year and has BPI. Contect me on email and will give you his email. Paul

My E-mail is crmclane@aol.com

Hey Karl,

My name is Rich, I am the person that Paul e-mailed you back on. I live in Florida. My injury is to my left arm, and I did get my private pilot and instrument rating recently. Perhaps I can help you achieve your goal. Feel free to e-mail me back..

go Rich!!!!!!!Congratulations on geting your Licens!!!!!!!!!!!!Paul

I only have about 30% use of my left arm due to a bpi about 4 years ago. I had a muscle transfer from my back to my arm to help it bend at the elbow a bit. Since then i have taken my Ultralight license, Private, and I am about half way through the Commercial with an opportunity to Instruct in the future. In the Ultralight, i sat on the right side and my Instructor on the left and I rested my hand by the throttle in the middle. In the 172 and 150 I sit on the left side using what power I have in my left arm on the yoke but the real secret to my flying is to use lots of trim. If I have my trim set just right on takeoff, climb, and landing there is hardly any pressure on my left arm at all. Full flap overshoots and soft field landings were the most difficult for me but I ended up passing in the top ten percent of the 400+ members the school has graduated. I had alot of support from my flight insructor and the owner of Cooking Lake Aviation Academy. They have made a big difference in my life. If I wouldn't have had the muscle transfer from Dr. Lobay i don't think I would Have the stength to move the yoke much at all. I did most of my training in the C172 and some in the 150 and just recently I have been checked out in a Piper Arrow and the C182. These aircraft are alot heavier on the controls and I have to give extra attention. I usually trim back a little extra on approach and hold the control in abit, then when I go to flare It's already trimed and the nose comes up quite easily. It is easier for me to push than pull, actually I can hardly pull at all but my flying is pretty good I hear. I have taken my mother and my girlfriend on a few trips and they seem to be quite comfortable with my flying. I just finished my 300nm cross country for the commercial back in March. I never thought I would have made it this far and I am not looking back. I think you will do just fine if you get the right school and instructor. I am from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada but I'm sure there are other good schools in the U.S that are willing to give you a chance. Let me know if you get flying or if you have any questions.