PPL for deaf or hearing-impaired people?

[Ralf-Saarland]

Hello, I `m from Germany (43) and not totally deaf, but have two strong hearing aids, but can cope well with life. Maybe I could understand an ATC with a clear pronounciation because you have standardized messages on air but that is not sure to be honest.
Of course I realize it could have catastrophic consequences if a deaf pilot does not understand a message properly.
There is the web-site of International Deaf Pilots Association (IDPA). They tell you, a deaf or hearing-impaired person can obtain a PPL in the US and fly, because there are many areas without air control (still true after 9-11??).
One important test they have to pass is the awareness of a plane`s pre-stall movements, i.e. whether their equilibrity organ works properly. (I think mine does but I did not visit a flight doctor yet, for fear of being ridiculed as e deaf person.)

My question: Deaf flying in the US is too expensive for an European. What about GB and France? Is it true that France still allows deaf private pilots on ultra-light planes? I really heard rumours that there exists special equipment using visual signs.
Are there areas without control in great Britain thus giving way for deaf British private pilots? Or is there any other way for a deaf to learn to fly a motorplane? (Sorry, I`m not interested in gliders.)
Thank you very much for any help or informations. (Btw: Some countries are very ingenuous in helping their handicapped )Greetings Ralf Maier

[StrateandLevel]

Ralf,

You can still fly aeroplanes non-radio in UK though there are not too many aerodromes available without making previous arrangements. Microlights are generally flown non radio and are operated on a "declaration of health" rather than a medical.

If you hearing does not allow you to obtain a JAA Class 3 medical, the new UK NPPL due out on 29 July will also operate with a restricted medical. Try contacting UK AOPA for details.

I don't think stalling is an issue because you only need to be able to see and feel to detect the approaching stall. If you couldn't do that then you clearly would not be able to get any form of medical.

So Yes there are possibilities in the UK try the AOPA and BMAA websites:

http://www.aopa.co.uk/

http://www.avnet.co.uk/bmaa/

[Evo7]

Ralf

The medical requirements for the UK NPPL are here:

http://www.caa.co.uk/srg/med/document.asp?groupid=305

very best of luck

[MLS-12D]

Ralf,

I can't shed any additional light on the licensing requirements, but encourage you to read the following book that is about a transcontinental trip by a deaf pilot in an old C150:

"Flight of the Gin Fizz: Midlife at 4,500 Feet", by Henry Kisor (ISBN: 0465024254)

I think you'll enjoy it, and hope that it may encourage you to pursue your dream.:) :) :)

MLS-12D

P.S. Too bad you're not interested in gliding :( :( :( ... you don't know what fun you're missing!

[a pilot]

A lot of the flying in west USA is uncontrolled airspace,you dont need a radio.USA is coming now with the new sport pilot that will allow you to fly without a medical on some planes ,check with EAA .depending on your budget...you can fly in the usa without a visa as long as you dont log that time,to get your license you ll need all the paperwork and a 141 school.TAKE A FEW FLIGHTS FIRST,HEARING PROBLEMS ARE SHARED BY MORE PILOTS THAN YOU THINK!

[Ralf-Saarland]

Hello ,

thank you all very much for your helpful information! It is also encouraging.

MLS-12D: Regarding gliders. The problem is: I think there is no
glider with two seat side by side. The instructor hast to sit behind you. That is much more difficult. If a hearing impaired person is not sure whether he or she has understood a command properly, he or she can turn to the head of the instructor for some moments. Yes - lip-reading from half-profile is possible. Some of us hear words and see the lips - a two-way-perception, since we people with hearing aids are not completely deaf.
Thanks too for info about H. Kisor. :-))
Best wishes Ralf

[sennadog]

Ralf. A quick Google search has brought up these sites which may be useful to you......

http://www.deafpilots.com/

http://www.faa.gov/AVR/afs/deaffaq.htm

http://www.aopa.org/whatsnew/newsitems/1999/990624dpa.html

I have no idea if it's possible but could you fly with someone with full hearing if they have a licence to operate a radio?

Hope this helps.

:)

[Skylark4]

Ralph.
There ARE two seat gliders with side-by-side seating but not in general training use. The venerable T21, Sedbergh comes immediately to mind and a surprising number are still around. Most will be privately owned but some will be part of the club fleet. We have one here at Oxford. There are modern side-by-side two seaters but I`m not familiar with them and they are not common, not in the U.K. anyway.

If yo can hear at all, I would imagine that radio is no big problem. A good headset with a volume control should suffice. If I turn mine up to maximum it is almost unbearable.

Mike W