Several months ago I joined coupers mailing list. I explained that I am 64 years old and use a wheelchair (polio in 1944). I earned a private license in 1966 flying an Ercoupe (95 hrs). I was in a club in Nashville, TN, and when I moved that ended my flying.
I retired from the federal government in Washingtion, DC, in 1995 and moved to near Orlando, FL. I'm interested in flying again and ave joined a local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Assoc. and AOPA. Bob Saville and others were very encouraging to me when I sent my first message and told of my background. He asked that I keep the group informed of my progress. I took my third class medical in late February and about three months later the FAA in Oklahoma City asked for more medical tests which I'm having done and will send to the FAA and await further response. I am optimistic. I talked with AOPA' medical advisory folks and was told the letter from the FAA requesting more info was not unusual. Though I will still consider the Ercoupe as my most likely plane, access into it concerns me. I have to be lifted into it. I've not been able to track down info re putting a door in the side, which I know was done over 30 years ago. I recently went up in a 172 with another pilot in a wheelchair and watched him, for my first time ever, use hand controls on the rudder pedals. Whew! It was daunting, but he was good at it. Anyway, I'm still pursuing flying and hanging in there. Thanks for the interest and support from the the coupers. It's an excellent group.
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