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05-09-2013, 02:06 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 183
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Hand controls needed, please help.
Hello,
On March 24th, I was hit by a car on my motorcycle. Going about 50mph, I flipped over the car. I broke my pelvis, left arm and a few vertebrae in my lower back.
I'm healing in bed, with an external fixator on my pelvis, which finally comes out next week. My left arm has mostly healed, with some mobility limitations in my elbow. I don't think that will be a problem.
The problem is my right leg. I suffered nerve damage that has probably permanently paralyzed my right leg, from my upper thigh down.
My father in law gave me a very supportive talk the other day (heavy sarcasm there) and told me "you know you will never fly that plane again and that I need to sell it immediately. He's understandably worried about his daughter, and my ability to ever work again (I fly for a living), but he doesn't understand how important that plane is to me. You guys understand, something you build becomes a part of you. Also, my late father helped me build it, and it bears his initials and birthday in the N number.
I believe I will fly it again, but it's going to need a modification of hand controls for the rudder and brakes.
Does anyone have any ideas? I have a 9A, with brakes on the left side only. I have a center console that has the engine controls. Something operated with the right hand would be best, so I can keep my left hand on the stick, for crosswind landings and taxiing.
Thanks in advance, and keep an eye out for motorcycles.
__________________
Greg Marlow
RV-9A Flying - sold
4 pl Bearhawk - flying ("sold" to the insurance company)
RV-14A - finishing up
Dues gladly paid
East Tennessee/SW Virginia
Last edited by DeltaRomeo : 05-10-2013 at 06:18 AM.
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05-09-2013, 02:21 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Quincy, Florida
Posts: 680
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CONTROLS
Greg,
Your accident was certainly unfortunate, but I'm sure you can keep flying. We have a local pilot that flys a Tiger Moth with a prosthesis for a right leg. I don't know how he does it, but he does it well. No hand controls needed for him. Keep a positive attitude and I'm sure you'll find that your set back will become only an inconvenience. Jeff makes prosthesis for a living. I'll get contact information for you if you want me to. watson.david@ccbg.com
David Watson
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05-09-2013, 02:41 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 3,778
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Optional Brakes
Hi Greg,
Very sorry to hear about your accident, sounds like you are making headway. We have a 7A on the field with hand brakes mounted on a small center console right of the pilot seat. They work very well for this gentleman. I'll see if I can get some pics and info for you.
Now get better... you will fly again!
__________________
Reiley
Retired N622DR - Serial #V7A1467
VAF# 671
Repeat Offender / Race 007
Friend of the RV-1
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05-09-2013, 02:44 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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Greg,
I had no idea and I am very sorry to hear this!
Please let us East TN RV guys know if there is anything we can do to help!
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05-09-2013, 03:01 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: lake charles, La.
Posts: 699
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Sorry for your accident. There is a new group of prosthesis now, very encouraging. A lot of progress has been made. You already have the most important part done.....your will to fly again. I do know that electro pulses can be translated into mechanical motion, so even if it is not the same impulse that used to move a leg, another can be substituted. Some research should reveal these people and institutions that may be able to help. If I can find any info I will pass it on to you.
Bird
__________________
Bird
rv8 entire airframe at airport now, painting done, intersection and gear upper and lower fairings done, maybe order engine around first of year or before the next rate increase.
"to fly is a privilege that I am so thankful to God for"
http://www.mykitlog.com/tcb328/
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05-09-2013, 03:14 PM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 564
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Greg,
My wife had burst fractures of her L4-L5 vertebrae almost 2 years ago, and had partial paralysis of one leg. The prognosis from her neurologist was pretty dismal, based on what the average outcome is for this type of injury. She worked hard in physical therapy, and then the gym. She saw her neurologist for the last time this week, because she has had a nearly complete recovery.
I am guessing that your docs are telling you what the average outcome is, because it is too early to accurately predict what your individual result will be. After your bones are healed, work hard in therapy and be patient; nerves heal only about 1 cm. per month. If you don't feel that your neurologist is going the extra mile for you, look elsewhere. A lot of those guys tend to be pretty pessimistic.
Sorry, I don't have any info re hand controls.
Jim Berry
RV-10
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05-09-2013, 03:21 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Sorry to hear about your accident Greg. I had a similar experience 24 years ago, though my body faired a bit better than yours.
I say if you still want to fly, don't give up.
I can't give you any specifics but at the very least there has been an RV-6 and an RV-4 converted and flown with hand controls (both flown as taildraggers so a 9A should be possible).
Search here in the forums for the name Carl Hay (the RV-6 builder).
He used a motorcycle twist grip throttle on the stick (left hand) and hand controls for the rudder and brakes.
Someone else can probably help with the RV-4 builder info. I know there was an article in Sport Aviation about the airplane (someone at EAA may be able to help you find a copy of it).
__________________
Opinions, information and comments are my own unless stated otherwise. They do not necessarily represent the direction/opinions of my employer.
Scott McDaniels
Van's Aircraft Engineering Prototype Shop Manager
Hubbard, Oregon
RV-6A (aka "Junkyard Special ")
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05-09-2013, 03:23 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Macon, GA
Posts: 499
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I wonder if you could do a toe hook for the rudders, and just use your left leg (push for left rudder, pull for right) then set up a hydraulic lever hand control for (differential) braking. Cross wind landings might be a little dodgy, and you might need to make the rudder pedals longer (or the rudder bellcranks longer) to get more leverage since it's much harder to pull than push, but I think it could be done.
The brake hand control would be a miniature version of the stick control, where moving it left and right actuated left/right only master cylinders and moving it back activated a master cylinder that pressurized both left and right brakes. Likely need to use smaller pistons to keep the forces down, but should be doable.
__________________
Macon, GA (KMCN)
RV-7, Niner Fife Victor
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05-09-2013, 03:30 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: GREENBANK
Posts: 106
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There is a very inspirational man here in Queensland Australia. He flys a Whitman Tailwind (taildragger) with full hand controls as his legs don't work after having contracted polio as a child. His name is Peter. David Brown (forum member) might chime in soon with further details. I love your attitude. Keep flying man!
__________________
Mark
RV-7, Superior XP-360.
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