July 10, 2023 • 23 mins
Kristin Newman of Anderson & Riddle in Fort Worth, TX speaks with Guinness World Record holder Jessica Cox about her experiences as the first person certified to fly an airplane with only her feet as well as her custom Impossible Airplane, the first exclusively foot-controlled airplane in aviation history.
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To learn more about DRI and the Aviation Law Committee visit DRI.org.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:18):
Hello everyone, and welcome to thelatest episode of DRI's podcast series, Wing
Tips. I'm Kristin Newman, anattorney with Anderton and Riddle in Fort Worth,
Texas, and I'll be your hosttoday. Wing Tips is brought to
you by the DRI Aviation Law Committee. In each episode, we speak with
DRI members and notable aviation industry guestsabout emerging topics in aviation and aviation law.
(00:41):
I'm so excited to introduce our guestfor this episode. Her name's Jessica
Cox. Some of you may knowJessica as a motivational speaker featured on TV
shows like Ellen, CNN, NationalGeographic, Fox and Friends, and BBC
News. More of you likely knowher as the world record holder for being
the first person certified to fly anairplane Get This with only her feet in
(01:07):
twenty eleven. Jessica is born withoutarms in nineteen eighty three, and it's
learned to live her life using herfeet the way most people use their hands.
In twenty twenty eight, Jessica announcedplans to build quote the impossible airplane
quote end quote, accustomed two hundredmile per hour four seat airplane she will
use to certain navigate the world asif holding a Guinness World Record and creating
(01:33):
a new aircraft aren't enough. Jessicais also an author, a star in
a multi award winning documentary, anda fourth degree black belt in taekwondo.
Jessica, thank you so much forjoining us today. Well, I am
excited to be on and it's avery unique experience to be on your show,
So thank you. Well, I'msure you get this all the time,
(01:55):
but I have just so many questionsfor you. But let's start with
why did you want to become apilot. And that's a question so many
people asked because I really didn't haveany role model pilots in my life.
I was born into a non aviationfamily. My parents weren't pilots, no
(02:16):
uncles, aunts, grandparents, noone in the family pursued aviation. But
I wanted to overcome my greatest fearand that was flying. So what better
way than to learn how to fly? Because a lot of our fears are
linked to our fear of the unknown, and so I thought, well,
why not try this out? Andsomething crossed my path an opportunity to go
(02:39):
up in my first experience in aCessna, which would be the first time
I would ever go up in asingle engine airplane. And I took it
on hesitantly. But I just madethis commitment once that I was airborne and
felt what it was like. Myfeet were on the controls because the pilot
in command said, well, wouldyou like to try to put your foot
(03:00):
up on the yoke? And soI did, and I made this commitment
that I wanted to pursue aviation tobecome a pilot. And sure enough,
it was a journey to become asport pilot, but it was it was,
it was well worth it. It'snow taken me around the world to
share the story, to share themessage inspired so many people, thousands of
(03:22):
people in now twenty eight countries.Oh my gosh, that's that really is
inspiring. And I think most peoplein aviation assumes that it's impossible for a
person with a disability to become apilot, which may be a fair assumption
given the third class medical certificate thatmost people assume is required for all pilots.
(03:47):
You have a sport pilot certificate,which allows you to fly light sport
aircraft. Will you explain to ushow you became a pilot without the third
class medical certificate? And what alight sport aircraft is sure, So in
two thousand and one, the LightSports Certificate became available for pilots. And
(04:10):
this is very unique in the sensethat it does not require a third class
medical as long as you have avalid driver's license that conserve as your medical.
And this was my green light.This was the avenue that we decided
to pursue because we really didn't knowhow people were going to feel about it.
(04:30):
Once I went and got a medicaland everyone became aware of it,
so we decided to start the trainingthrough the light sport route and it was
you know, it was very fittingbecause the airplane that I eventually became certified
to fly in was a nineteen fortysix Aircoup airplane and this airplane is the
(04:51):
only airplane without rudder petals, andcertain classes of this plane are considered light
sport, so C models as wellas some CD models are considered light sports.
So it was just a matter offinding the right airplane to pursue the
light sports certificate. It took alot because obviously these are older airplanes.
(05:14):
They're not everywhere. It was ajourney to find an instructor who not only
was willing to teach me, butit also had access to a light sport
air coupe. Now I want toI want to come back to UM,
to the the licenses and the certificationsand different kinds of UM airplanes that you've
(05:40):
been around. But I want tostay for a minute on UM. On
you as a pilot with UM withdisabilities or physical limitations, and and you
became a pilot without any arms,using just your feet to pilot an aircraft.
Well, you give us some insideon what other types of disabilities you
(06:02):
may have seen in other pilots withthe sport pilot certificate. Sure, And
I probably sometimes I gloss over myown explanation because it's so normal for me.
But I realized, for someone who'snever heard of anyone without arms support,
it probably sounds kind of outrageous thatI was able to trade my feet
(06:24):
to fly a place plane without modifications. And the reality is I'm a congenital
and putee, meaning I was bornthis way and I didn't know what it
was like to have arms from thebeginning. So for me, I went
through the usual rights of passage,learning how to walk, learning to do
things without the arms, and myfeet served as my hands. So it
(06:47):
was only natural that if I came, if I became a pilot, I
would learn to do so with myfeet on the controls because they were already
used to writing, eating, brushingmy hair, doing everything I did this
morning to get myself ready that myfeet serve as my hand. So that
was really not a question for mewhen it came to flying. I know
(07:08):
of a number of other pilots withdisabilities who've inspired me, and especially when
I wondered at times, are thereany other pilots out there? One was
a role model to me. Hewas a pilot with born with one arm
and his other arm is essentially ithas a stump, so it has a
little bit of an arm there.But he was able to fly Assessna without
(07:31):
another hand, and he inspired me, and really it just affirmed this goal
that I wanted to become a pilot. I've heard that other pilots have benefited
from the air coop airplane over theyears. I mean, it's a nineteen
forty six airplanes, so many manypilots. The original beneficiaries of this design
(07:55):
of an airplane were those who cameback from World War Two who didn't have
access to their leg um. Alot of pilots I knew who have had
pollio been able to fly in thisplane because again it's almost like you're only
you only need two limbs to fullyfly this aircube. And because that allows
(08:15):
so that allows for so many peoplewho may have injured a limb, or
who have lost a limb, orwe're born without a limb, that that
to me is so inspiring, umand so um. I think humbling to
to hear of these pilots who whohave overcome just such great adversity, and
(08:37):
even even those that are that arelike you, who never knew any different,
to be able to have the pilotingworld accessible to I think that's that's
amazing. And now mine understanding isis that you are stepping up to the
private pilot license this year, soyou'll be going through the third class medical
(09:01):
review process and having to go throughthe full private pilot license experience. Will
you tell us about your experience gettingyour private pilot license as a person with
disabilities and specifically have you found thatthe process is more accessible to those with
(09:22):
disabilities or about what you would expect. You know, it is a long
process. I am in the midstof it. Right now, we're still
waiting to hear back from the FAAbecause I started the process back in February
and here we are in July,and so I started the application process.
I found a doctor who was youknow, approved by the fa to administer
(09:46):
these medicals, and he gave methe green light, filled up the paperwork,
and of course for anyone with thedisability who wants to pursue a medical
all the paperwork has to be aprocessed through Oklahoma City, the FAA headquarters,
and so all of my papers weresent that way, of course,
and we were waiting for correspondence,and we did receive another letter, and
(10:07):
then we did the next step ofwhat was asked of us and went to
another doctor specialist to get that lettersquared away. And now we're just anticipating
and waiting on the next step.So it is a journey. It's a
process to apply for the third classmedical and it's something every pilot with a
(10:28):
disability has to go through. Andthen eventually the next steps will be lead
up to what's called a SODA,the statement of demonstrated ability. And we've
been very well informed about that,I think for me because I already had
a fifteen years of being a sportpilot under my belt. That is almost
(10:48):
working for me in the sense thatI already have hours in my log book.
I don't know for someone who doesn'thave many hours and has a disability
and once to pursue with their classmedical I don't know. You know,
I feel like it would be aboutthe same process that I've been going through
this year, and it's you know, it's just a matter of going going
(11:11):
through all this require that's required toensure that I'm a suitable pilot and can
handle the controls, and then we'rejust taking one step at a time until
we get there and hoping toast crossedfingers crossed for me, just my toes,
but that it'll all work out inthe process and that I can prove
(11:31):
that I can be a safe pilot. So let's let's go back to you
mentioned earlier about the type of aircraftthat you that you currently fly, and
you are actually creating a new typeof aircraft. Let's talk about the impossible
(11:54):
airplane for a second. This ismy understanding is this is an aircraft that
is built for pilots solely with disabilities. How is the airplane. First,
how is this airplane the same ordifferent than the aircraft that you have been
flying. There's a huge difference,and I'm glad you asked the question because
(12:15):
I just assume that people understand,but really, I think you have to
be a pilot to understand these nuances, and I have to especially articulate them
to the general public who maybe nonaviation related. But there is a huge
difference because I've been flying for fifteenyears in a nineteen forty six unmodified air
(12:37):
coup airplane and it was never alteredin any way for me. It's a
standard air coup airplane that they've beenflying since the forties, and so there
was nothing different about it. Iessentially had to adapt to what exists on
this plane, and that meant forme a lot of awkward positioning with my
(12:58):
feet on the trolls and they're notcontrols on the floor, so they're up
where hands would reach them. Sofor me, it just meant putting my
legs up, using a lot ofabdominal strength and muscle and my legs to
be able to hold my feet ina very precarious position, right foot on
the yoke, left foot on thethrottle, and the reason why is because
(13:20):
there isn't enough room to scoot theseat back. The seat does not slide
back. It's locked in place benchseats for two people, and so I
have to make up for that lackof length between my body and the control
panel by criss crossing my legs andbecause there's lack of distance there, so
I cross my left leg under myright to reach the throttle and it works
(13:46):
just fine, but I do haveto cut myself off at about an hour
and a half because of the fatigueit puts on my legs and muscles,
and I have to make sure thatI'm safe. So there are limitations to
flying an Aircup airplane. While thereare no modifications to the design of this
plane, it's not the most comfortableand it doesn't you know, it doesn't
(14:09):
allow me to fly long distances.So having said that, this new build
called the Impossible Airplane, which willbe an RV ten modified with foot controls
on the floorboard of the airplane.It will allow me to comfortably sit up
for one put my feet and restthem into the controls. So I have
(14:33):
that working for me and moving thesecontrols in the way that my body likes
to move as opposed to adapting tothe way I need to make sure that
I move the control as I've donewith the aircup. So there's a lot
of wonderful potential with the design ofa modified RB ten. The Impossible Airplane,
(14:54):
which that's the website, The ImpossibleAirplane dot Com is a journey.
It starts like you said in twentytwenty. It has been this long journey
of figuring out what modifications we needto do. We've worked with some engineering
students from the University of Arizona tocome with some of those modifications. We
had some students from Oregon as wellthat have created a modification for the goal
(15:18):
wing doors because that was going tobe difficult for me to open and close.
And we're excited to showcase all ofthis at air Venture this summer at
the end of the month, andit's just wonderful to know that we're building
something that keeps in mind, helpspeople become aware of the fact that we
(15:41):
can engineer a world that is moreinclusive for all abilities. We don't have
to be we don't have to getlocked be locked into the way things are
always done. We can be creativeand innovative and come up with solutions to
make it easier on those with differentabilities. I'm actually really glad that you
(16:03):
talked to You said that at thevery end there, because I'm curious if
you have what your experience with theFAA in creating this new aircraft has been,
if if you have run into anykind of quote unquote old school thinking
(16:27):
that an aircraft can't be what you'retrying to make it meaning more inclusive of
others. We have not had toomany. We haven't had many people who've
said negative things, I should say, because they're quite fascinated by this.
(16:48):
In fact, I think it openspeople's eyes more than anything that wow,
we can do something that works forothers and others abilities. And that's what
I hope it continues to do.On the way to air Venture, we
are actually loading up the simulator intoa trailer of seven by fourteen trailer and
driving it from Tucson, Arizona,all the way to ash Gosh, Wisconsin.
(17:11):
And on the way we're stopping atan aviation camp for fifth through eighth
graders as well as ninth through twelfthgraders, and we are going to stop
in at this camp and showcase thissimulator, and hopefully the hope is to
plant the seed that they can keepan open mind about aviation and who can
(17:33):
be a part of aviation, thatit's not just limited to who we think,
but people of all various abilities canenjoy the freedom of life. So
other than or for your own yourpersonal use. What led you to want
to create this impossible airplane? Well, I think I've been working. I
(18:02):
have had a nonprofit now for almostwe are at five years, and it's
been wonderful to see how aviation caninspire so many because I think aviation,
in flying a plane for some mayseem unattainable, even those who don't have
disabilities, they have all their limbs, they have everything in the world.
(18:26):
It's that a thought that's not goingto work or that's gonna be too hard
to do. And we're bridging what'spossible in aviation and what people think is
impossible, and we're trying to reallyencourage with this amazing vehicle, the impossible
airplane, And so I think it'sgoing to be inspiring in so many ways.
(18:48):
I mean, there's nothing more incredibleand inspiring than using aviation to help
people believe that if she can flya plane without arms. There's so much
that they can do. So Ithink it's a wonder inspirational tool. And
my nonprofit serves to educate, advocate, inspire and mentor people with disabilities.
So this is a wonderful way todo it. Not only can we get
(19:11):
around and have because we're now goingto a two hundred mile per hour airplane,
but we'll be able to get around. It's very visual to showcase to
people this is very possible, andit will continue our mission and vision of
Right Foot and Foundation. I'm gladyou you are doing this not only for
(19:36):
the motivational and just kind of generalinspirational ideas and viewpoints that you're putting out
there, but you're really educating alot of people, and not just not
just the kids that think you're goingto go stop and talk to you on
your way to Archcot, but evenme as a aviation attorney. When I
(20:03):
first heard your story, I thought, oh, my gosh, that's that's
not possible. How is that evena real thing? And I think for
me and I think there's a lotof attorney aviation attorneys out there that maybe
don't understand or don't know that pilotscan have disabilities and fly, So other
(20:32):
than just general education, what doyou want those of us in the aviation
law industry to know about pilots withdisabilities. I love that you asked that
question, because a lot of timesthe disability is not so much the actual
(20:52):
physical aspect of it. I wasborn without arms. I could have lived
perfectly find my whole life without arms. It wasn't until people started to bring
the awareness to me that I wasdifferent and that I was somehow incapable of
pursuing things like other people with armsand hands. So I think what I
(21:14):
hope that this can do for exactlywhat you were mentioning your field and a
lot of people who work in this, is to recognize that it's not the
disability itself, but a lot oftimes it's society and societal norms that create
the limitations. So if we cansee it from that perspective, I think
(21:38):
that people will be open to thepossibilities of what pilots with disabilities can achieve.
It's just a matter of finding away and not giving up and not
putting a limitation on the individual pilotbecause they are different in some way or
because they've had some kind of circumstance, but looking for the possibilities and finding
(22:02):
a way. You are truly aninspiration. Jessica. Thank you so much
for joining us today, and thanksto all of you for listening. We
asked a you rate, review,and subscribe to this podcast. Please listen
to future episodes where we'll speak toother DRI members and notable guests about aviation
(22:22):
law topics. As a reminder,be sure to update your membership profile,
renew your DRI membership, or joinedDRI today. Until next time, I'm
Kristin Newman and missus Wingtips brought toyou by the DRI Aviation Law Committee
Hello everyone, and welcome to thelatest episode of DRI's podcast series, Wing
Tips. I'm Kristin Newman, anattorney with Anderton and Riddle in Fort Worth,
Texas, and I'll be your hosttoday. Wing Tips is brought to
you by the DRI Aviation Law Committee. In each episode, we speak with
DRI members and notable aviation industry guestsabout emerging topics in aviation and aviation law.
(00:41):
I'm so excited to introduce our guestfor this episode. Her name's Jessica
Cox. Some of you may knowJessica as a motivational speaker featured on TV
shows like Ellen, CNN, NationalGeographic, Fox and Friends, and BBC
News. More of you likely knowher as the world record holder for being
the first person certified to fly anairplane Get This with only her feet in
(01:07):
twenty eleven. Jessica is born withoutarms in nineteen eighty three, and it's
learned to live her life using herfeet the way most people use their hands.
In twenty twenty eight, Jessica announcedplans to build quote the impossible airplane
quote end quote, accustomed two hundredmile per hour four seat airplane she will
use to certain navigate the world asif holding a Guinness World Record and creating
(01:33):
a new aircraft aren't enough. Jessicais also an author, a star in
a multi award winning documentary, anda fourth degree black belt in taekwondo.
Jessica, thank you so much forjoining us today. Well, I am
excited to be on and it's avery unique experience to be on your show,
So thank you. Well, I'msure you get this all the time,
(01:55):
but I have just so many questionsfor you. But let's start with
why did you want to become apilot. And that's a question so many
people asked because I really didn't haveany role model pilots in my life.
I was born into a non aviationfamily. My parents weren't pilots, no
(02:16):
uncles, aunts, grandparents, noone in the family pursued aviation. But
I wanted to overcome my greatest fearand that was flying. So what better
way than to learn how to fly? Because a lot of our fears are
linked to our fear of the unknown, and so I thought, well,
why not try this out? Andsomething crossed my path an opportunity to go
(02:39):
up in my first experience in aCessna, which would be the first time
I would ever go up in asingle engine airplane. And I took it
on hesitantly. But I just madethis commitment once that I was airborne and
felt what it was like. Myfeet were on the controls because the pilot
in command said, well, wouldyou like to try to put your foot
(03:00):
up on the yoke? And soI did, and I made this commitment
that I wanted to pursue aviation tobecome a pilot. And sure enough,
it was a journey to become asport pilot, but it was it was,
it was well worth it. It'snow taken me around the world to
share the story, to share themessage inspired so many people, thousands of
(03:22):
people in now twenty eight countries.Oh my gosh, that's that really is
inspiring. And I think most peoplein aviation assumes that it's impossible for a
person with a disability to become apilot, which may be a fair assumption
given the third class medical certificate thatmost people assume is required for all pilots.
(03:47):
You have a sport pilot certificate,which allows you to fly light sport
aircraft. Will you explain to ushow you became a pilot without the third
class medical certificate? And what alight sport aircraft is sure, So in
two thousand and one, the LightSports Certificate became available for pilots. And
(04:10):
this is very unique in the sensethat it does not require a third class
medical as long as you have avalid driver's license that conserve as your medical.
And this was my green light.This was the avenue that we decided
to pursue because we really didn't knowhow people were going to feel about it.
(04:30):
Once I went and got a medicaland everyone became aware of it,
so we decided to start the trainingthrough the light sport route and it was
you know, it was very fittingbecause the airplane that I eventually became certified
to fly in was a nineteen fortysix Aircoup airplane and this airplane is the
(04:51):
only airplane without rudder petals, andcertain classes of this plane are considered light
sport, so C models as wellas some CD models are considered light sports.
So it was just a matter offinding the right airplane to pursue the
light sports certificate. It took alot because obviously these are older airplanes.
(05:14):
They're not everywhere. It was ajourney to find an instructor who not only
was willing to teach me, butit also had access to a light sport
air coupe. Now I want toI want to come back to UM,
to the the licenses and the certificationsand different kinds of UM airplanes that you've
(05:40):
been around. But I want tostay for a minute on UM. On
you as a pilot with UM withdisabilities or physical limitations, and and you
became a pilot without any arms,using just your feet to pilot an aircraft.
Well, you give us some insideon what other types of disabilities you
(06:02):
may have seen in other pilots withthe sport pilot certificate. Sure, And
I probably sometimes I gloss over myown explanation because it's so normal for me.
But I realized, for someone who'snever heard of anyone without arms support,
it probably sounds kind of outrageous thatI was able to trade my feet
(06:24):
to fly a place plane without modifications. And the reality is I'm a congenital
and putee, meaning I was bornthis way and I didn't know what it
was like to have arms from thebeginning. So for me, I went
through the usual rights of passage,learning how to walk, learning to do
things without the arms, and myfeet served as my hands. So it
(06:47):
was only natural that if I came, if I became a pilot, I
would learn to do so with myfeet on the controls because they were already
used to writing, eating, brushingmy hair, doing everything I did this
morning to get myself ready that myfeet serve as my hand. So that
was really not a question for mewhen it came to flying. I know
(07:08):
of a number of other pilots withdisabilities who've inspired me, and especially when
I wondered at times, are thereany other pilots out there? One was
a role model to me. Hewas a pilot with born with one arm
and his other arm is essentially ithas a stump, so it has a
little bit of an arm there.But he was able to fly Assessna without
(07:31):
another hand, and he inspired me, and really it just affirmed this goal
that I wanted to become a pilot. I've heard that other pilots have benefited
from the air coop airplane over theyears. I mean, it's a nineteen
forty six airplanes, so many manypilots. The original beneficiaries of this design
(07:55):
of an airplane were those who cameback from World War Two who didn't have
access to their leg um. Alot of pilots I knew who have had
pollio been able to fly in thisplane because again it's almost like you're only
you only need two limbs to fullyfly this aircube. And because that allows
(08:15):
so that allows for so many peoplewho may have injured a limb, or
who have lost a limb, orwe're born without a limb, that that
to me is so inspiring, umand so um. I think humbling to
to hear of these pilots who whohave overcome just such great adversity, and
(08:37):
even even those that are that arelike you, who never knew any different,
to be able to have the pilotingworld accessible to I think that's that's
amazing. And now mine understanding isis that you are stepping up to the
private pilot license this year, soyou'll be going through the third class medical
(09:01):
review process and having to go throughthe full private pilot license experience. Will
you tell us about your experience gettingyour private pilot license as a person with
disabilities and specifically have you found thatthe process is more accessible to those with
(09:22):
disabilities or about what you would expect. You know, it is a long
process. I am in the midstof it. Right now, we're still
waiting to hear back from the FAAbecause I started the process back in February
and here we are in July,and so I started the application process.
I found a doctor who was youknow, approved by the fa to administer
(09:46):
these medicals, and he gave methe green light, filled up the paperwork,
and of course for anyone with thedisability who wants to pursue a medical
all the paperwork has to be aprocessed through Oklahoma City, the FAA headquarters,
and so all of my papers weresent that way, of course,
and we were waiting for correspondence,and we did receive another letter, and
(10:07):
then we did the next step ofwhat was asked of us and went to
another doctor specialist to get that lettersquared away. And now we're just anticipating
and waiting on the next step.So it is a journey. It's a
process to apply for the third classmedical and it's something every pilot with a
(10:28):
disability has to go through. Andthen eventually the next steps will be lead
up to what's called a SODA,the statement of demonstrated ability. And we've
been very well informed about that,I think for me because I already had
a fifteen years of being a sportpilot under my belt. That is almost
(10:48):
working for me in the sense thatI already have hours in my log book.
I don't know for someone who doesn'thave many hours and has a disability
and once to pursue with their classmedical I don't know. You know,
I feel like it would be aboutthe same process that I've been going through
this year, and it's you know, it's just a matter of going going
(11:11):
through all this require that's required toensure that I'm a suitable pilot and can
handle the controls, and then we'rejust taking one step at a time until
we get there and hoping toast crossedfingers crossed for me, just my toes,
but that it'll all work out inthe process and that I can prove
(11:31):
that I can be a safe pilot. So let's let's go back to you
mentioned earlier about the type of aircraftthat you that you currently fly, and
you are actually creating a new typeof aircraft. Let's talk about the impossible
(11:54):
airplane for a second. This ismy understanding is this is an aircraft that
is built for pilots solely with disabilities. How is the airplane. First,
how is this airplane the same ordifferent than the aircraft that you have been
flying. There's a huge difference,and I'm glad you asked the question because
(12:15):
I just assume that people understand,but really, I think you have to
be a pilot to understand these nuances, and I have to especially articulate them
to the general public who maybe nonaviation related. But there is a huge
difference because I've been flying for fifteenyears in a nineteen forty six unmodified air
(12:37):
coup airplane and it was never alteredin any way for me. It's a
standard air coup airplane that they've beenflying since the forties, and so there
was nothing different about it. Iessentially had to adapt to what exists on
this plane, and that meant forme a lot of awkward positioning with my
(12:58):
feet on the trolls and they're notcontrols on the floor, so they're up
where hands would reach them. Sofor me, it just meant putting my
legs up, using a lot ofabdominal strength and muscle and my legs to
be able to hold my feet ina very precarious position, right foot on
the yoke, left foot on thethrottle, and the reason why is because
(13:20):
there isn't enough room to scoot theseat back. The seat does not slide
back. It's locked in place benchseats for two people, and so I
have to make up for that lackof length between my body and the control
panel by criss crossing my legs andbecause there's lack of distance there, so
I cross my left leg under myright to reach the throttle and it works
(13:46):
just fine, but I do haveto cut myself off at about an hour
and a half because of the fatigueit puts on my legs and muscles,
and I have to make sure thatI'm safe. So there are limitations to
flying an Aircup airplane. While thereare no modifications to the design of this
plane, it's not the most comfortableand it doesn't you know, it doesn't
(14:09):
allow me to fly long distances.So having said that, this new build
called the Impossible Airplane, which willbe an RV ten modified with foot controls
on the floorboard of the airplane.It will allow me to comfortably sit up
for one put my feet and restthem into the controls. So I have
(14:33):
that working for me and moving thesecontrols in the way that my body likes
to move as opposed to adapting tothe way I need to make sure that
I move the control as I've donewith the aircup. So there's a lot
of wonderful potential with the design ofa modified RB ten. The Impossible Airplane,
(14:54):
which that's the website, The ImpossibleAirplane dot Com is a journey.
It starts like you said in twentytwenty. It has been this long journey
of figuring out what modifications we needto do. We've worked with some engineering
students from the University of Arizona tocome with some of those modifications. We
had some students from Oregon as wellthat have created a modification for the goal
(15:18):
wing doors because that was going tobe difficult for me to open and close.
And we're excited to showcase all ofthis at air Venture this summer at
the end of the month, andit's just wonderful to know that we're building
something that keeps in mind, helpspeople become aware of the fact that we
(15:41):
can engineer a world that is moreinclusive for all abilities. We don't have
to be we don't have to getlocked be locked into the way things are
always done. We can be creativeand innovative and come up with solutions to
make it easier on those with differentabilities. I'm actually really glad that you
(16:03):
talked to You said that at thevery end there, because I'm curious if
you have what your experience with theFAA in creating this new aircraft has been,
if if you have run into anykind of quote unquote old school thinking
(16:27):
that an aircraft can't be what you'retrying to make it meaning more inclusive of
others. We have not had toomany. We haven't had many people who've
said negative things, I should say, because they're quite fascinated by this.
(16:48):
In fact, I think it openspeople's eyes more than anything that wow,
we can do something that works forothers and others abilities. And that's what
I hope it continues to do.On the way to air Venture, we
are actually loading up the simulator intoa trailer of seven by fourteen trailer and
driving it from Tucson, Arizona,all the way to ash Gosh, Wisconsin.
(17:11):
And on the way we're stopping atan aviation camp for fifth through eighth
graders as well as ninth through twelfthgraders, and we are going to stop
in at this camp and showcase thissimulator, and hopefully the hope is to
plant the seed that they can keepan open mind about aviation and who can
(17:33):
be a part of aviation, thatit's not just limited to who we think,
but people of all various abilities canenjoy the freedom of life. So
other than or for your own yourpersonal use. What led you to want
to create this impossible airplane? Well, I think I've been working. I
(18:02):
have had a nonprofit now for almostwe are at five years, and it's
been wonderful to see how aviation caninspire so many because I think aviation,
in flying a plane for some mayseem unattainable, even those who don't have
disabilities, they have all their limbs, they have everything in the world.
(18:26):
It's that a thought that's not goingto work or that's gonna be too hard
to do. And we're bridging what'spossible in aviation and what people think is
impossible, and we're trying to reallyencourage with this amazing vehicle, the impossible
airplane, And so I think it'sgoing to be inspiring in so many ways.
(18:48):
I mean, there's nothing more incredibleand inspiring than using aviation to help
people believe that if she can flya plane without arms. There's so much
that they can do. So Ithink it's a wonder inspirational tool. And
my nonprofit serves to educate, advocate, inspire and mentor people with disabilities.
So this is a wonderful way todo it. Not only can we get
(19:11):
around and have because we're now goingto a two hundred mile per hour airplane,
but we'll be able to get around. It's very visual to showcase to
people this is very possible, andit will continue our mission and vision of
Right Foot and Foundation. I'm gladyou you are doing this not only for
(19:36):
the motivational and just kind of generalinspirational ideas and viewpoints that you're putting out
there, but you're really educating alot of people, and not just not
just the kids that think you're goingto go stop and talk to you on
your way to Archcot, but evenme as a aviation attorney. When I
(20:03):
first heard your story, I thought, oh, my gosh, that's that's
not possible. How is that evena real thing? And I think for
me and I think there's a lotof attorney aviation attorneys out there that maybe
don't understand or don't know that pilotscan have disabilities and fly, So other
(20:32):
than just general education, what doyou want those of us in the aviation
law industry to know about pilots withdisabilities. I love that you asked that
question, because a lot of timesthe disability is not so much the actual
(20:52):
physical aspect of it. I wasborn without arms. I could have lived
perfectly find my whole life without arms. It wasn't until people started to bring
the awareness to me that I wasdifferent and that I was somehow incapable of
pursuing things like other people with armsand hands. So I think what I
(21:14):
hope that this can do for exactlywhat you were mentioning your field and a
lot of people who work in this, is to recognize that it's not the
disability itself, but a lot oftimes it's society and societal norms that create
the limitations. So if we cansee it from that perspective, I think
(21:38):
that people will be open to thepossibilities of what pilots with disabilities can achieve.
It's just a matter of finding away and not giving up and not
putting a limitation on the individual pilotbecause they are different in some way or
because they've had some kind of circumstance, but looking for the possibilities and finding
(22:02):
a way. You are truly aninspiration. Jessica. Thank you so much
for joining us today, and thanksto all of you for listening. We
asked a you rate, review,and subscribe to this podcast. Please listen
to future episodes where we'll speak toother DRI members and notable guests about aviation
(22:22):
law topics. As a reminder,be sure to update your membership profile,
renew your DRI membership, or joinedDRI today. Until next time, I'm
Kristin Newman and missus Wingtips brought toyou by the DRI Aviation Law Committee
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