theo81 Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 Hello, I am looking at doing a career change into the helicopter world, but am wondering everyone's opinion on flying with a prosthetic leg. I am a BK (Below Knee) amputee for quite a few years now. I thought a career in helicopters was out of the equation, but after taking a closer look I believe I read the FAA regulations to allow the limb as long as it was worn during flight (duh). My thought process is to get my medical before doing anything else, to ensure that I would eventually be able to obtain class 1 medical clearance. Once that is achieved, my question is whether it will be a hindrance in the hiring process. My ultimate goal is to fly EMS. Does anyone have any input as to whether a prosthetic would hinder my ability to obtain this goal? As for the control of my leg.....I hike, mountain bike, water ski, scuba dive, snow ski, jog, etc. So...control of the limb is not an issue for everyday life. I have actually tested the ability to drive a car with my good foot on the gas and the prosthetic on the brake to see how smooth I could drive. It only took me less than 5 minutes to learn to apply the brakes smoothly, so I believe I could do the same with the rudders and soon it would become second nature. There is actually a "feel" you get for contact and pressure, but of course it's not as good as the real thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RotorRunner Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 (edited) It is possible! I know your situation is a little different but,... Read this thread... http://www.pprune.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-300237.html http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=75091 Do a Google search for this guy, Stewart McQuillen, for more info. RotorRunner Edited December 8, 2007 by RotorRunner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helonorth Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 If you can obtain a first class medical with no restrictions, ( I guess they would require that you haveyour prosthetic on when you fly!) I don't see why you couldn't get hired. I saw a guy that had a situation similar to yours on TV that was flying regional jets. His biggest hurtle was the medical.I would imagine you would have to demonstrate that it would not impede control inputs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whrilwind50 Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 Goggle "Steve Fonyo" the lost a leg to cancer but still achieved a commercial helicopter license. Unfortunately , he later made some bad choices and ended up in jail. Drunk driving and the like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 (edited) Theo- It would only cost you $75 bucks to find out. Just go get your 2nd class medical. ( You really dont want or need your 1st at this point). There are some great medical websites out there with FAA medical advice. Personally, I don't see any reason why you couldnt fly...piece of cake, the pedals just aint that hard to move ! You really dont need to feel the pedals at all, you use your eyes to determine yaw...that and a little piece of string that is standard equipment on all helicopters ! Good luck, keep us advised of your progress. Goldy Edited December 8, 2007 by Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 Theo81, It definitely is possible. One day, I was at the Norman, Oklahoma, airport (KOUN) and was looking to get checked out in a Cessna C-172RG. The instructor showed up, and he had shorts on with a prosthetic leg. The fake foot even looked real enough; it was wearing a sandle, just like the real foot! That seemed okay to me. Besides, I don't have a problem with that sort of thing. What really struck my curiosity, though, was how hard it must be for him to see with the red letters "OU", symbolizing The University of Oklahoma, on one of the lenses of his glasses. I wasn't sure if he was going to fly like that or not. I figured he must be one of the biggest OU fans in history to put their logo on his glasses. Well as it turns out, he had a glass eye too. I asked him about his condition, and he said that was the result of injuries while playing football for OU. I don't really know for sure if he had a medical or not, or even a pilot license for that matter, but the flight school did send him to meet me, so I figured he was legitimate. Even if he wasn't, I didn't really care since I was flying the airplane anyway. Another instance I know of is a gentleman--and I know for a fact he is legit.--who got he Private Pilot Certificate in an airplane, with a prosthetic leg from the knee down. I don't remember his name, but I do remember his face, and I think he is living in the Macon, Georgia, area nowadays. He told me that he had to figure out how to move the rudder pedals properly, and described the process as being similar to how you used yours for braking a car. He was issued a medical certificate, but was required to be issued a Statement Of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) before he could exercise private pilot privileges. He told me he took his PPL checkride with an FAA inspector, then flew with the same inspector a second time the same day to get his SODA. He is now a full-fledged private pilot. I know this doesn't really fit you, but I also know of a deaf pilot who has a Commercial Pilot certificate with an instrument rating. So good luck in your efforts. If you're willing to jump through all the fiery hoops the FAA puts out for you, then you can become a pilot. It is not impossible by any means, but you will have to do a lot more paperwork and proving your abilities. ~Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theo81 Posted December 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 Thank you for the replies. This is the same information I was receiving from the flight schools I was speaking with, but I'm a naturally cautious person and like to hear all views before jumping in. Obviously in this situation I will be going through the Medical process first before spending any money on training. I will be choosing a doctor who is authorized for class 1 medicals so I can ask him if there is any reason I wouldn't be able to obtain the class 1 a few years down the road. The most I'll need for quite awhile is class 2, but who knows if someday I pick up fixed wing and go down the dual path. I'll be seeing you around the boards,Theo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldy Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 Theo- take a look at the AOPA magazine this month. The back cover story features a guy who just got his private...he's paralyzed from the waist down. Makes flying with one prosethetic look easy. He has to have modified controls however...there is a lot of flying available out there with a class 2 medical, if for some reason the class 1 is a problem. Goldy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyGirl86 Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 Its definitely possible. One of the instructors at my old school had a prosthetic leg from a war injury. He was one of the best pilots there! go for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heliman500 Posted December 10, 2007 Report Share Posted December 10, 2007 For any information on disabled pilot aids please feel free to email Stewart at aeroleg@hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Hunt Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 Douglas Bader did it in the 1930s with TWO prosthetic legs. Flew fighters, was an ace, shot down later, POW etc. Read "Reach for the sky" by Paul Brickhill, very inspiring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaqueroaero Posted December 12, 2007 Report Share Posted December 12, 2007 Douglas Bader did it in the 1930s with TWO prosthetic legs. Flew fighters, was an ace, shot down later, POW etc. Read "Reach for the sky" by Paul Brickhill, very inspiring. The Germans confiscated his legs - because he kept trying to escape. Have a look at this website: www.danabowman.com I believe he is a Helicopter CFI & CFII Best of luck to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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