Jessica Cox - Armless pilot uses feet to fly . . .

robbreid · Post by **robbreid** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 10:32 pm

After her successful solo flight last May, Jessica Cox proved the sky is no limit when she earned her Sport Pilot license flying an Ercoupe plane with only her feet. Jessica was born without arms 25 years ago.

On October 10, FAA examiner Terry Brandt gave Jessica the thumbs-up on her check ride at the San Manuel Airport, just outside Tucson. "I showed him my best. After we got up in the air, the wind shifted and we hit some turbulence, but I flew through it just fine," Said Jessica.

When Jessica did a particularly good job on a short field landing, the examiner complimented her, saying, "Nice Landing."

Greeted with hugs from her Parents William and Inez Cox, and enthusiastic spectators as well as another FAA examiner, Jessica beamed, "I gave my best performance ever!"

News Video and Article.

metal · Post by **metal** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:29 am

I can't be the only one who wants to see a video of her in the cockpit, am I right?

Max_Power · Post by **Max_Power** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:41 am

Just saw the video on CNN. There's a link to it on their website.

Driving Rain · Post by **Driving Rain** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 5:21 am

JESSICA COX: She was born without arms, but in October she piloted her first solo flight! Jessica also drives a car with no extra accessories, and she has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do! (Did I mention she plays piano with her feet!

Phlyer · Post by **Phlyer** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 7:49 am

That is frekin' cool. Good for her!

Invertago · Post by **Invertago** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 10:34 am

Nice work, I was wondering how she managed that feat then saw it was an Ercoupe. I pictured some fancy stick control but you don't need rudders in most Ercoupes. That would have been an interesting first solo for the instructor signing her off!

C-GGGQ · Post by **C-GGGQ** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 1:50 pm

i was under the impression that you don't need to use the rudder in an ercoupe because it doesn't have one (Grandather trained in an ercoupe) unless there are new models with more than just a single beak pedal

Changes in Latitudes · Thu Dec 04, 2008 2:35 pm

Wow...that's incredible! A good testimony to the strength of the human spirit. Makes me wonder what would I could accomplish if I had half of her perseverence.

Invertago · Post by **Invertago** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:17 pm

C-GGGQ wrote:i was under the impression that you don't need to use the rudder in an ercoupe because it doesn't have one (Grandather trained in an ercoupe) unless there are new models with more than just a single beak pedal

There is a mod out there that you can add rudder peddles. Nice aircraft, though tricky to get master x-wind landings with out rudder peddles. My first Ercoupe flight taught me how much I actually appriciate the rudder peddles in the ol 172. It is also strange to taxi around steering using the yoke like a car steering wheel. All that using correct ctrl input for wind when taxiing is not applicable to a Erocoupe, you can't lower one aileron with out turning as well.

C-GGGQ · Post by **C-GGGQ** » Thu Dec 04, 2008 3:52 pm

my grandfather started training on a chipmunk. Then it was requisitioned by the cadets and he was left with an ercoupe (no rudders) thats the exact same thing he said to crosswinds were a bitch

niss · Post by **niss** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 11:19 am

Now Jessica, the key to being a good pilot is good hand and.......errrr.........

Seriously though, that is very impressive!

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:52 pm

A classic example of a pilot doing what "can't" be done.

Good on her!

-istp

Just another canuck · Post by **Just another canuck** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:32 pm

Anyone with a foot fetish out there? Eh? Eh?

Seriously though, that is very impressive.

niss · Post by **niss** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 8:45 pm

Just another canuck wrote:Anyone with a foot fetish out there? Eh? Eh?

Seriously though, that is very impressive.

Your second line was word for word a copy of mine....

Just another canuck · Post by **Just another canuck** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 9:43 pm

samm3 · Post by **samm3** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 10:40 pm

Nice!

Good for her!

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 2:10 am

interesting. I wonder if she's got a tendency to be either left or right footed (handed)?

Good on her.

Driving Rain · Post by **Driving Rain** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 4:59 am

North Shore wrote:interesting. I wonder if she's got a tendency to be either left or right footed (handed)?

Good on her.

She was on the Ellen show the other day and spoke about being right footed as one would be right handed. She said she even gestures with her feet when talking as a people with arms and hands do.

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 2:51 pm

She was on the Ellen show the other day

Exciting winter, huh? D'ya watch Oprah and The View, too?

Driving Rain · Post by **Driving Rain** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 4:21 pm

I don't watch any of them. I googled "armless pilot girl" and the Ellen show thing came up.

Doc · Post by **Doc** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 8:07 pm

I know for a fact Driving Rain spends his time watching Family Feud and the Young and the Restless. He has no time for Ellen!

That girl is simply amazing! Good for her. Nothing but respect for anyone with that much moxy!

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:55 pm

Ya know it warms the spirit to see someone who has handicaps and accomplish what most would only talk about. Good on her!!!!

Jessica Cox - Armless pilot uses feet to fly . . .

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