G

GIJANE

I'm New Here
Hi Everyone,

I am currently working toward my Sport Pilot License (SPL). Prior to my accident, I was training in a Sky Arrow, which is equipped with hand-operated rudder controls for pilots with lower-limb disabilities.

Unfortunately, in the middle of my flight training, I was involved in a serious SUV rollover accident and had to suspend my training.

I am now preparing to return to flying and am considering purchasing an RV-12iS. However, Van’s Aircraft does not currently offer adaptive hand controls for the rudder system.

I live in the Phoenix area and am looking for an experienced A&P mechanic, aircraft engineer, builder, or anyone familiar with adaptive flight controls who may be able to modify the rudder controls for hand operation.

If you have experience with this type of modification, know someone who does, or can point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate your assistance.

Thank you in advance for any recommendations or advice.

Susan Baldwin
Retired U.S. Army Combat-Wounded Veteran
Bilateral Leg Amputee
 
First, Thank you for your service and sorry that it ended that way for you. I cherish the freedoms you fought to maintain. If you search here, there is a lady looking for advice in building an RV 10 to support her condition - double arm amputee IIRC. I think she is making good progress. I suspect that lady can share a great deal about her thought process on equipping the plane, as well as steps to fabricate and likely some experts she found in performing or assisting with the fabrication.

Her name was Jessica, I believe and feel confident that she would be an excellent resource for you.
 
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There is also Justin Meaders, a wheelchair user and Reno Air Races pilot, he would definitely have some sources. I'll PM you a contact for him.
 
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It moves very fast but here is a link to a short video that shows the system Justin has in his super stol (you might want to slow the viewing speed down)

Here is a longer video where he talks about how the system works (starting at 5:40)
 
Hey Susan,
Thank you for your service. Once you get a plan together please post a list of the parts you’ll require. I’m done my build and have a worrisome amount of parts left over including a couple control sticks for a 14. If you need em they’re yours.
store.vansaircraft.com

Control Stick

store.vansaircraft.com store.vansaircraft.com
 
Recently, the folks at Vashon Aircraft worked with Clayton Smeltz to create hand controls for the Vashon Ranger S-LSA. (Clayton developed hand controls for his Cirrus Vision jet and got STC approval from the FAA for them). You may wish to contact them. (And the Ranger was designed by Ken Krueger, as was the RV-12, so, maybe they are more similar than they look?)

planeandpilotmag.com

Able Flight's Noble Mission — Hand Controls Help More Pilots Enjoy Light-Sport Aircraft - Plane + Pilot

What if you had a powerful interest in flying but you needed special equipment? I don’t mean flat-screen avionics, powerful engines, or comfortable seats — though all those are indeed fun. Instead, I refer to people who want to fly but may have challenges many of us don’t face. If you had a...
planeandpilotmag.com planeandpilotmag.com

Rudder controls:

Vashon-hand-controls-540x341.jpg


Brake controls:

Vashon-steering-controls-540x361.jpg
 
I know it can be done. The guy across from me is in a wheelchair. He has a high wing LSA that he flies with hand controls. He picked that plane because he can do everything himself. He climbs inside and pulls the wheels and loads the wheelchair.

He may be self sufficient, but if I am at the airport, I am right there giving him a hand.

I know there are several people flying early Ercoupes. As built they didn’t have rudder pedals and crosswind landings in excess of 25 mph are not recommended. However I think that egress and ingress may require assistance.
 
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