First Armless Person In The World To Pilot An Aircraft Using Only Her Feet While Earning Her Pilot's License Along The Way

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 27 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Just three years ago, 25-year-old Jessica Cox had never been in a small airplane and certainly never imagined one day piloting one. That all changed on October 10th, 2008 when Jessica not only piloted the aircraft, she earned her Airman's Certificate in a 1945 Ercoupe 415C, an airplane designed to bring the postwar generation into the sky. The Tucson area resident and University of Arizona graduate has proven that anything is possible when inspired by an organization that truly believes in hard work and dedication.

This all started in August 2005 when Col. Robin Stoddard, the Executive Director and founder of Wright Flight Inc. a non-profit organization in Tucson, Arizona approached Jessica after her speaking engagement at a Tucson Rotary Club Luncheon. As she was leaving the facility, Robin asked her if she ever thought about flying an airplane. Jessica responded that one of her only fears was flying. Robin, himself a decorated Air Force Fighter pilot, told her about his Godfather, an Air Force fighter pilot who suffered a crash landing but still went on to fly his own aircraft even though he was confined to a wheelchair. Robin explained that he has taught people with all types of disabilities and if she could drive a car, (and from the photos she provided during the lecture it was obvious she could) then she could fly an airplane.

That upcoming Saturday Jessica attended one of the many Wright Flight "fly days". This was a time where kids who have successfully graduated from the Wright Flight program are allowed to pilot an aircraft for an hour with their designated pilot. From that day starting with Wright Flight's chief pilot Greg Rush, an airline pilot for UPS, and the guidance and encouragement of Robin Stoddard and the Wright Flight organization, Jessica Cox was guided through the "ups and downs" of aviation.

Now, two years later, Jessica Cox like that of the Wright Brothers, has made history. "Wright Flight Inc. is an organization that motivates and inspires today's youth through the Wright brothers' example of setting goals and achieving them through hard work and discipline."

Source
Sarah Stevenson
SarahStevenson08 (at) yahoo.com
Wright Flight Inc.