Deaf Pilots
I never thought about becoming a pilot nor the challenges that come with it because of communications between pilot and air traffic control. In spite of the barrier, Stephen Hopson passed his oral and flight exams making him the first deaf person to get an instrument rating from the Federal Aviation Administration. He is allowed to flight in low visibility conditions. Here’s another article about him.
In researching this article, I discovered the Deaf Pilots Association, which says somewhere between 100 and 120 deaf people are pilots. It has fly-in every year and its FAQ explains how deaf pilots fly without being able to hear the radio. Gotta be impressed with these folks. I am.
Comments
I got to hear Stephen speak in Oshkosh, Wisconson during the Experimental Aircraft Association's week long Airventure 2005. His enthusiasm for everything, but especially for flying was great to experience. I too am a pilot, not deaf, but wear hearing aids, and can really appreciate the effort and persistence that Stephen had to put forth to get his instrument rating - no small feat even for someone with normal hearing. I look forward to a time when datalink technology will allow many more deaf pilots to pursue the same dream without the requirement for hearing.
Posted by: Larry | March 12, 2006 9:41 PM