It’s official: Jessica Cox, daughter of Ines and William Cox, and only armless person in the U.S. to be certified as a Sport Pilot! She was certified by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) as a certified Sport Pilot and was given her license after her successful solo flight on October 10, 2008 and after passing all the necessary requirements.
She could even hold the distinction as the “First armless person in the world to pilot an aircraft using only her feet.”
The Indian News in London has carried a story that says “a 25-year old woman with no arms has become the first pilot ever to fly a plane using only her feet.”
Jessica was born without arms 25 years ago in Tucson, Arizona. Because she was born armless, she has used her feet in doing just about anything. She can write, type, use the computer, drive, brush her hair and lift a phone simply using her feet.
She told The Filipino American Journal, “Flying was my greatest fear in life, and therefore I was motivated to conquer my fear by flying an airplane. It is one of my greatest achievements in life and I really worked hard for it.”
In August 2005, Col. Robin Stoddard, the Executive Director and founder of Wright Flight Inc., a non-profit organization in Tucson approached Jessica after her speaking engagement at a Tucson Rotary Club Luncheon and inquired if she ever thought of flying an airplane.
When told that her greatest fear in life is flying, Col. Stoddard, himself a decorated Air Force Fighter Pilot, explained that he has taught people with all types of disabilities and because Jessica could drive a car, then she could also fly an airplane.
Two years later, Jessica, has made history: “The First Armless Person In The World To Pilot An Aircraft Using Her Feet.”
Jessica said that she pilots an airplane by using “my right foot on the yoke and my left foot on the throttle.”
Jessica’s accomplishment as the first person with no arms to be certified as a Sports Pilot did not come as “a walk in the park.” It took her three (3) years to do what some people could accomplish in 6 months.
After earning her wings and proving that she can achieve great things even with her physical limitations, Jessica became a motivational speaker and began inspiring people around the world.
Jessica is in the Philippines now for a two-week visit to her relatives in Eastern Samar, her mom’s hometown. She is also scheduled for several television appearances while in the country and aimed at inspiring her “mga kababayan.”
With reports from:
The Filipino American Journal
Manila Bulletin Internet Edition
What an inspiring article. There is no reason why one couldnt be successful in life. Hope all students here in our school, could read this, so this will serve as their model in life.
I will request my teachers to encourage their students to read this.
You will get expert advice here with lot of great styles and now you can find them here giving expert advice.