Pilot's artificial arm 'became detached while landing plane'

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http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-28778728

Deano do you know the gentleman?

Original post

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

Yes Ralf, I know him very well.

It's admirable that he can fly commercially with the prosthetic limb. I taught a guy to fly who was paralyzed from the waist down. He had a specially adapted Piper Colt.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 2,623

It is remarkable, we have two pilots with us who have prosthetic arms, a captain (this chap) and a first officer. Both of them are excellent and are no less capable or safe than our able bodied personnel.
It is nice to see that flying is not off limits to the disabled. I haven't taught any physically disabled people but I have taught a few people with mental disabilities. It's very rewarding.

Member for

14 years 6 months

Posts: 2,536

It is remarkable, we have two pilots with us who have prosthetic arms, a captain (this chap) and a first officer. Both of them are excellent and are no less capable or safe than our able bodied personnel.
It is nice to see that flying is not off limits to the disabled. I haven't taught any physically disabled people but I have taught a few people with mental disabilities. It's very rewarding.

Well, flying with a prosthetic arm, you have to hand it to him.

Member for

20 years 5 months

Posts: 10,625

Well, you learn something new every day!

I for one did not expect a Pilot with any sort of prosthetic limb to be cleared to fly, much less in commercial aviation.
Not out of prejudice, but out of expectation of rules not allowing it.

Glad to see there are no such rules!

As a general musing:
How would they go about operating the more complex controls, like round dials on the upper panels for the auto pilot, etc, the older pull toggle switches or guarded switches on the overhead. assuming the prosthetic was on the side said controls were on?

I assume the other pilot is requested to operate them in stead?