Britt Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Hi everyone my name is Britt. My uncle Jerry designed mechanical hand controls for his Bell 47j and 47g years ago. He was paralyzed as a young man and is looking for other people who own bells and would like to purchase his patented hand controls. This isn't a sales pitch but im sure he wouldnt mind making a buck! Jerry currently resides in southern Arizona with his wife Jane. My question is if he were to market his hand controls where would he start? Is there a market for it? Is there anyone else out there flying choppers with no use of their legs? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolftalonID Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 He could start by approaching the manufacturer of the helicopters and go from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iChris Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 (edited) My question is if he were to market his hand controls where would he start? Is there a market for it? Is there anyone else out there flying choppers with no use of their legs? Thanks Many may remember Mike Smith, he was in a wheel chair, but piloted a Bell 206 with special controls flying air attack and aerial mapping missions for the US Forest Service, (Region 4). AOPA did a story on him. I don’t know if he’s still around, haven’t seen him recently. Link: PILOTS MIKE SMITH AOPA February 5, 1999 Link: New Hand Controls Allow the Disabled to Fly PILOTSMIKE SMITHFebruary 5, 1999 Sixteen years ago, during a routine crop-dusting job in a Bell Model 47 helicopter, wires from nearby power lines tangled in the rotor mast. Stopped dead, Smith's chopper smashed to the ground. When he was pulled from the wreckage, his back was broken. He thought that his flying career was over. And it was — until someone thought to apply to airplanes the hand-control concept designed for cars. With some adjustments, he was back in business. Smith holds ratings through airline transport pilot, including rotorcraft-helicopter. At present, he is the only wheelchair-using pilot in the nation to fly air attack for the U.S. Forest Service. He travels to other parts of the country, presenting programs on mountain flying, and he also shows other flight instructors how to teach disabled students. Edited March 2, 2017 by iChris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britt Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Thank you for the responses so far. Any more insight is appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canadian47 Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I would start here http://www.wheelchairaviators.org/ A number of years ago a good friend of mine was injured in a farming accident. They were instrumental in getting him back in the air (fixed wing). One of the guys there flys a twin with hand controls and I am sure they would be very happy to know more about your uncles' controls. Glenn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Britt Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Thank you so much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SB01 Posted September 8, 2020 Report Share Posted September 8, 2020 Britt I am interested in your Uncle's invention. Is it available for purchase ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff E Posted April 7, 2023 Report Share Posted April 7, 2023 Hi Britt. I'd like to get in touch with your uncle. I've been to his house and actually stayed for a couple of days looking at his controls. But since then I've lost his number. My name is Jeff and I live in Texas. 863-445-0540 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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