Disabled people fly too

[old grump]

I have been an RC flyer for over 60 years. Two years ago i had a stroke & lost the use of my legs , & my left hand is almost useless . I wasn't going to give up flying, so i use my electric mobility cart with a swivel seat to fly from . I converted most of my 30 + planes to HITEC single stick 3 channel control. I find it MUCH easier to control to fly that way. I am very lucky to have a large field behind my house to fly from. My latest plane is an SU 27 EDF with coupled ailerons & elevons. So when you get old & not as mobile , don't give up the greatest hobby in the world, ADJUST. THE OLD GRUMP

[Heli Jim]

Great to hear that you were
able to adapt to a difficult situation.

Good for you!!

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi
Thats wonderful
So very happy to see your able to still enjoy our hobby
Take care
Yours Hank

[Big Johnny]

I too am Disabled, due to a fall off a Motor Grader. My back is one big mess. Have to get shots all the time, take a handful of different meds, just to make it through the day. I have a problem bending over, so that's why I switched from Glow to Electric. I plug it in on the table and sit it on the ground and go. The guys at my Club know and help me, so I don't have to bend so often. The best Model Airplane builder, I ever knew was, Olin Helms of Monroe NC. Olin was a parapalegic, with limited use of his hands, caused by a water sking accident back in the early 60's. If Olin built your plane, it was a crime to cover it, because it looked like a piece of art in the Bare bones.

[NJSwede]

I'm so happy for you, Old Grump! I just got into this hobby a few months ago at the age of 42, but I'm planning on flying until they roll me away in a casket! Keep us posted and keep 'em flying!

[kenchiroalpha]

Originally Posted by Big Johnny

I too am Disabled, due to a fall off a Motor Grader. My back is one big mess. Have to get shots all the time, take a handful of different meds, just to make it through the day. I have a problem bending over, so that's why I switched from Glow to Electric. I plug it in on the table and sit it on the ground and go. The guys at my Club know and help me, so I don't have to bend so often. The best Model Airplane builder, I ever knew was, Olin Helms of Monroe NC. Olin was a parapalegic, with limited use of his hands, caused by a water sking accident back in the early 60's. If Olin built your plane, it was a crime to cover it, because it looked like a piece of art in the Bare bones.

Hi Johnny
You have all my prayers and best wishes
Take care dear friend
Yours Hank

[krtf4u_corsair]

Good to hear Grump! Keep it up. God Bless

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi
Do enjoy So sorry shes not e powered

Control Line from a Wheel Chair

Take care
Yours Hank

[Lieutenant Loughead]

I don't want to seem mean, but I'm curious -- how do you guys pick up your airplanes if they land/crash too far away?

What happens if it gets stuck in a tree, or a pond?

I've been wondering these things for several years now -- I wonder what will happen to ME in the future, when I get to that point.

I used to know a guy who was on oxygen. Sometime he would be flying, and the oxygen wouldn't be enough to keep him consious, so he'd ignore the airplane (let it crash), to fiddle with his oxygen tank. This was a very common occurance (one out of every 5 flights or so) -- and he didn't care, because he still got to fly!

[AirmanAirhead]

I would assume that is what friends are for. Heck, I lost a place in a tree and my buddy who is younger than me and a much better tree climber scooted right up and got it. He also got a terrible case of poison oak out of the deal. We still fly together and often laugh about it.

[pattern14]

Thats really encouraging I keep thinking I am going to break my neck falling out of a tree one day, or getting trampled half to death by the bull in the next paddock. Now I know others have found a way around disability, I just lost all my fear

[kenchiroalpha]

Hi
There are no boundaries when it comes to the human spirit
Do enjoy

Amazing - Pilot with no arms

Take care
Yours Hank

[Elfwreck]

Wheni was young and tough I climbed trees and wca peter up and down slopes after planes crashed by "the old guys and crips".
Later on I learned how to convert new style radios to old style single stick systems for the guys with use of only one hand.

I'd fetch and carry, and anything else needed and I'd *listen* when they talked. I learned a lot about how to build, rebuild and fly models. Often those guys would invite me into their shops to learn all the mystical secrets of model building.

Now I'm one of those old crips. The "young guys" help me out doing all those things I did for other guys although I still convert radios. Some of them even like to listen to me ramble on about building and rebuilding models. Sometimes I'll do repair work or even build a kit or scratch something up for those young guys.

I still fly slope though I've not been down the cliff in several years and even though those ravenous plane eating trees jump in front of my models from time to time I haven't climbed a tree in years.

Near as I can figure you get what you give. Or as the Beatles said: the love you make is equal to the love you take.
Life is good even if it hurts...
RobII

[hillbillynamedpossum]

When I was a boy it seemed like about 1 in 5 "old" men (45 was old back then!) was missing a piece of ear, an arm a foot ar at least a few fingers. There were a lot more WW II vets around back then, and some had left body parts on some miserable beach over across the pond. Several had lost parts to farm accidents. Some had lost fingers and arms to logging accidents. Long story short, they just went on living. Im sure there were things that they couldnt do, but they never let it show.

Youve never seen anything till youve seen a man with one hand roll a cigarette!


Possum

[imott]

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Loughead

I don't want to seem mean, but I'm curious -- how do you guys pick up your airplanes if they land/crash too far away?

What happens if it gets stuck in a tree, or a pond?

I've been wondering these things for several years now -- I wonder what will happen to ME in the future, when I get to that point.

I used to know a guy who was on oxygen. Sometime he would be flying, and the oxygen wouldn't be enough to keep him consious, so he'd ignore the airplane (let it crash), to fiddle with his oxygen tank. This was a very common occurance (one out of every 5 flights or so) -- and he didn't care, because he still got to fly!

I am a paraplegic. When my heli gets stuck in a tree, I shoot it down with my compound bow!

[Lieutenant Loughead]

Originally Posted by kenchiroalpha

Hi
There are no boundaries when it comes to the human spirit
Do enjoy

Amazing - Pilot with no arms

Take care
Yours Hank

Okay -- how does she control the throttle, stick, and rudder at the same time?

Originally Posted by imott

I am a paraplegic. When my heli gets stuck in a tree, I shoot it down with my compound bow!

I like it! But doesn't that damage your airplane?

[AirmanAirhead]

I like it! But doesn't that damage your airplane?[/QUOTE]
__________________________________________________ ___

No... he's a very good shot!

[Big Johnny]

Most of the time there is some young Buck hanging around, who is more than happy to climb the tree for the old fat guy.

[swimmer]

Originally Posted by old grump

I have been an RC flyer for over 60 years. Two years ago i had a stroke & lost the use of my legs , & my left hand is almost useless . I wasn't going to give up flying, so i use my electric mobility cart with a swivel seat to fly from . I converted most of my 30 + planes to HITEC single stick 3 channel control. I find it MUCH easier to control to fly that way. I am very lucky to have a large field behind my house to fly from. My latest plane is an SU 27 EDF with coupled ailerons & elevons. So when you get old & not as mobile , don't give up the greatest hobby in the world, ADJUST. THE OLD GRUMP

My flying buddy Larry had a severe stroke several years ago. He was, and still is, an avid RC builder/flier but now he only has use of his left hand and foot. I am amazed at his dexterity in that he can operate a Vapor PNP transmitter using only his left hand. We fly weekly with several others inside our church gym and we are all amazed at his progress with the Vapor.

Just think about the possibilities if there was a way to foot control the throttle/rudder? Larry has control of his left foot and I believe he could fly larger planes using his left foot for throttle/rudder and left hand on the right stick. I've put some thought to how this could be accomplished but have nothing workable yet.

swimmer

[zander]

Hi Old grump
was looking on internet today to try and find info regarding flying radio control planes for the disabled as i have no use of left arm due to polio at 3 years of age...so far have drawn a blank on how to get round the controller aspect of this, but saw your post and wondered if you could give me an idea of how the controller could be modified(laymans terms please...im not a flyer yet)Im in my 60s now and would love to get into this hobby...have asked a few model shop dealers but no one seems to have any idea how it can be done

Regards Zander

[Glacier Girl]

We have a young member of our club who is special. As he says, "It's only a disability if you let it be one" I can only hope if I ever have to face such an adversity I can do as well as he does.

He asks no quarter and we don't give him any. And that's the way he wants it.

[gramps2161]

I did a little hunting till I found this thread by Nitro who did a good deed and helped out a club member with his handicap. Hope Nitros idea can help someone else out.

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59561