Please join me in congratulating Kevin W. on the earning of his private pilot wings!
Kevin completed his PP-ASEL checkride yesterday evening in Cessna 68U, at John Wayne Airport! Look for Kevin to be sharing the skies with you at Corona soon!
Kevin sitting in some brand-P plane :) - he actually FLIES Cessnas!
While every pilot's license is a huge personal achievement on the part of any aspiring pilot, it is worth noting that Kevin's case is unique, because Kevin is bilaterally deaf. Kevin's story is known around the office, and we're all very proud of his accomplishments - and I'd like to take this happy opportunity to discuss the various technical points of flying without hearing. I hope that you can share our respect for what Kevin has accomplished this week, because he is truly in a unique echelon of pilots.
First of all, many thanks to the Deaf Pilot's Association (www.deafpilots.com) for their thoughtful, well-researched, and informative website and personnel, who have answered many of our questions, and made the entire office smarter about the FAA regs on this topic. We literally could not have helped Kevin without their knowledge, trailblazing, and support. Please consider a membership to DPA, even if you are hearing, to support this excellent aviation organization.
Many of the common questions we field are answered in detail at the DPA FAQ, but here are the big ones that everyone asks me (copied from the DPA FAQ):
How can you fly if you cannot hear on the radio?
Airports (and airspace) can be of two kinds: controlled or uncontrolled. Pilots operating at controlled airports or in controlled airspace are required to be in radio contact with Air Traffic Control (ATC). At uncontrolled airports, however, pilots are only encouraged, but not required, to use their radio to directly advise other pilots in the area of their positions and intentions. Thus, deaf pilots are able to fly into and out of uncontrolled airports without using the radio. (Uncontrolled airports are also called nontowered airports.)
How do you know about other planes in the air?
Under Visual Flying Rules (VFR), under which most general aviation flights are conducted, you are responsible for seeing and avoiding other airplanes, and remaining well clear of clouds. As you learn to fly, you will develop a skill for spotting airplanes and adjusting your route of flight as necessary.
If you have a hearing person on board, you can ask that person to monitor the local traffic frequency and pass on position reports made by other aircraft.
If you have a transponder on board, you can turn it on, which causes your plane’s position and altitude to appear on ATC’s radar screens. Then, ATC can inform other aircraft in the area of your whereabouts.
When you land at an uncontrolled airport, how do you know when it is okay to land? What about the other planes landing and taking off?
Again, Visual Flying Rules apply. Each uncontrolled airport has a standard traffic route that you enter at a specific location. By following a sequence of legs along this route, you have several opportunities to see and avoid other aircraft, both in the air, and on the ground, and when there are no aircraft in front of you, you can land.
Some other interesting information:
Many of our instructors were involved in Kevin's training, but primarily it was CFI/CFII Arthur V who worked with Kevin through to his checkride sign-off.
Training was conducted using a variety of whiteboards, both for ground instruction and a smaller one in-flight. Arty did a tremendous amount of preparation and explanation work prior to each lesson to make sure his time was not consumed on the whiteboard unless necessary.
Kevin uses a sidekick II, which has a very cool application called i711 that allows a TTY operator to relay typed messages to, for instance, tower, flight service, or any other FAA agency that he requires services from.
Kevin has 49.2 hours total time logged, with plenty more forthcoming I'm sure. :)
Well done, Kevin! You inspire us!
- Mike
