Can deaf fly under sports pilot rule?

I am not deaf, but was wondering if the deaf can fly under the new
sports pilot rule. I know the sports pilot rule says that if you have a
"medical" condition that you know can affect your ability to fly, then
you are barred from flight. Now, does being deaf count as "medical" or
is that only restricted to medication?

If you don't fly in airspace that requires radio
communication, why not. It is likely that a sport pilot
test would be handled by the FSDO.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


wrote in message
ups.com...
|I am not deaf, but was wondering if the deaf can fly under
the new
| sports pilot rule. I know the sports pilot rule says that
if you have a
| "medical" condition that you know can affect your ability
to fly, then
| you are barred from flight. Now, does being deaf count as
"medical" or
| is that only restricted to medication?
|

you might want to ask to the folks most likely to know:

http://www.deafpilots.com/

in particular, have a look at the questions (FAQ) section;

http://www.deafpilots.com/faq.html

--Sylvain

wrote:
I am not deaf, but was wondering if the deaf can fly under the new
sports pilot rule. I know the sports pilot rule says that if you have a
"medical" condition that you know can affect your ability to fly, then
you are barred from flight. Now, does being deaf count as "medical" or
is that only restricted to medication?

Yes indeed, the deaf can fly under sport pilot. Same restriction "not
valid where radio use is required" applies to SP as to other classes.

Theoritically (sp), a deaf person could become a sport pilot instructor.

John

A recent news item from the AOPA... a deaf pilot has been
certificated to fly IFR in controlled airspace. He is
required to have a speaking pilot along to do communications
and write the ATC clearances down for him. When data-link
is available, deaf pilots should be able to fly single IFR.



DEAF PILOT PASSES INSTRUMENT CHECKRIDE
Stephen Hopson, AOPA 3553985, on February 24 became the
first instrument-
rated deaf pilot. Hopson, 45, has logged more than 700 hours
and already
holds a commercial certificate with the standard restriction
for deaf
pilots: no flight operations where two-way radio
communications are required.
As many instrument students would attest, half the challenge
of IFR flight
centers around understanding air traffic control clearances.
But Hopson,
with American Winds Flight Academy instructor Jason Edwards,
worked out a
white-board system (using shorthand) allowing Edwards to
relay ATC
instructions to Hopson while they navigate the airways.
Following
negotiation and cooperation with the FAA, Hopson took his
checkride with
a designated examiner and now has an instrument rating that
allows him to
fly with a hearing pilot using the white-board system.
Hopson hopes to pave
the way for other deaf pilots to log pilot-in-command time
in the IFR
environment, and perhaps someday, if controller-pilot
communications
datalink (CPCDL) matures, a deaf pilot could solo in the
clouds.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"John T" wrote in message
...
| Yes indeed, the deaf can fly under sport pilot. Same
restriction "not
| valid where radio use is required" applies to SP as to
other classes.
|
| Theoritically (sp), a deaf person could become a sport
pilot instructor.
|
| John
|

I have trained and signed off at least three pilots for a private pilot
certificate who were deaf. They did have restrictions via the medical
and even flew into controlled fields with a notice on their flight
plans for "NO RADIO" and got light signals. They simply asked someone
to open their flight plan when they took off, and closed it the same
way....via notes at the flight counter. Have had several other
"handicapped" pilots who worked around their difficulties and coped.
Two with eye problems...one eye each, one with only one hand, one with
one leg, etc.

that's interesting. How would you rate their overall flying abilities
compared to normal pilots?

wrote:

compared to normal pilots?

what is a 'normal pilot'?

--Sylvain

On Thu, 16 Mar 2006 01:21:17 -0800, Sylvain wrote:

compared to normal pilots?

what is a 'normal pilot'?

Well, say, compared to us one-eyed pilots


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email: usenet AT danford DOT net

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
In Search of Lost Time: www.readingproust.com

There are no normal pilots, we are all exceptional.


"Sylvain" wrote in message
t...
| wrote:
|
| compared to normal pilots?
|
| what is a 'normal pilot'?
|
| --Sylvain