Jessica Cox
Flying with My Own Two Feet not only reveals the name of her book, it’s an actual feat for Jessica Cox. And on May 11, 2008, this speaker/author gave her mom an amazing Mother’s Day gift. She flew an Ercoupe sport plane solo in San Manuel, Arizona – with her feet!
Jessica tigthens fuel cap in her preflight inspection
Reaching this milestone is tough for anyone, but especially for this 25 year old born without arms. Her family and friends, myself included, watched her practice her touch-and-go’s (quick landing and takeoff) the day before, but her instructor said, “There’s no way I’d let you solo with all those people around! You wouldn’t be able to concentrate!”
Then, in her lesson about 6 a.m. the next morning with no crowds or cameras around, she did five touch-and-go’s in a row. “You’re ready,” said Parrish Traweek, her instructor and owner of the Ercoupe. After that came her first solo flight.
With me the day before Jessica soloed
Being been part of Jessica’s flying and writing dreams since 2005, I’ve seen her overcome logistical barriers too numerous to count. She’s now earned a sport pilot’s license and can happily tell the world, ”Look, Ma. I’ve soloed!”
I’ll keep you posted on her book’s journey as we complete Flying with My Own Two Feet by Jessica Cox.
35 responses so far ↓
Bob Debs // October 11, 2008 at 8:02 am |
Great job Jessica, everyone is real proud of you. The Ercoupe is a great little airplane to fly and have fun with. Keep up the good work.
Have a great day!!!!!
Bob Debs
Ercoupe 3044G
Wade ten Bensel // October 16, 2008 at 6:48 am |
Congratulations on your solo!
God bless,
Wade ten Bensel
JAARS Aviation
Al Lockhart // October 16, 2008 at 1:05 pm |
Congratulations Jessica! By now I’m sure you know how proud the world of aviators are of your accomplishment. You are truly the spirit and inspiration that makes flying so passionate to all of us who feel the need to fly.
Stay focused but take a moment every now and then to just enjoy flying!
Al Lockhart
MSgt, USAF( Ret.) and Ultralight Pilot
Mark Robinson // October 16, 2008 at 5:37 pm |
Hello, Perhaps a word about Alverna Williams of Grand Prairie, TX is in order. She lost her legs in an accident as a child but always dreamed of being a pilot. Around the middle of the last Century she earned her license after a 1&1/2 year battle with the Feds. http://www.amputee-coalition.org/inmotion/sep_oct_03/fly.html She’s a member of the wheelchair pilots assn. http://www.wheelchairaviators.org/about_us.html
Thanks, MJR
George Andre // October 16, 2008 at 7:40 pm |
Jessica: I have been flying for 53 years all over the world, as fast as Mach 3 and to the edge of space; raced at Reno; performed before Kings; etc etc etc, but I have never seen courage and spirit as you have demonstrated. I am truly in awe. Godspeed in your flying…
Paul Robichaud // October 16, 2008 at 8:28 pm |
Awesome accomplishment Jessica !! Anything really is possible if you want it bad enough… I would fly with you anytime as a passenger. Best of luck !
Paul Robichaud
Beechcraft Sport 150 N6549R
Steven Pinello // October 16, 2008 at 9:01 pm |
Jessica,
Lucky you! You’ve soloed the Ercoupe one of my favorite airplanes. My first single engine airplane ride was in an Ercoupe at Sussex, NJ in 1969,I was only 14 at the time and the flying bug got the best of me.
I started taking flying lessons at 15 thanks to my father footing the bill and soloed at 16 at Farmingdale, NY in a Cessna 150.
But, I never did solo the Ercoupe, hich I think is one of the coolest looking airplanes around. That’s one thing I have on my “To Do” list, is to solo the Ercoupe!
Thanks for the inspiration, Aim High and Fly Higher
( not my original saying, I copied that from Show Pilot Peggy Wagstaff)
Steve
Adil Ellahi // October 17, 2008 at 1:56 am |
respected Jesica,
I may say you are the soul and inspiration of the aviation.
we love you all.
Happy landings.
Adil Ellahi.
George Osborne // October 17, 2008 at 5:23 pm |
I do not have words that can express .
Just total awe. What a person you must be.
you have truely set the aviation bar at the very high mark.
pvt. pilot
Zephyrhills, Fl.
Paul Bolan // October 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm |
Truly a, “God is My Copilot”, account of courage.
Paul Bolan // October 18, 2008 at 4:17 pm |
Happy landings forever, Jessica.
Paul
Vic Hollefreund // October 20, 2008 at 9:07 am |
Wow…fantastic…you are an amazing woman. You truly show that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it!!!
abel // October 21, 2008 at 3:58 pm |
felicitaciones jessica y muy buenos vuelos, que orgullo sentira Richard Bach
Daniel Arditi // October 22, 2008 at 2:11 pm |
You really did a fantastic Job Jessica !!! I really admire you !!! I’m pilot, and I perfectly know what does flying really means. Hope this is the begining of a wonderful adventure wich its own limit is your imagination.
And as Richard Bach wrote: “A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction and at such a speed, it feels an impulsion….this is the place to go now. But the sky knows the reason and the patterns behind all clouds, and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough to see beyond horizons.”
Good Fly Jessi !!!!!
Daniel Arditi (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
http://danidesdearriba.spaces.live.com/
HORACIO // October 25, 2008 at 3:28 pm |
que lindo que es alcanzar un sueño AUNQUE PAREZCA IMPOSIBLE DE LOGRAR
realmente te aplaudo , JESSI ¡¡¡¡¡¡
,felicitaciones
desde MENDOZA ARGENTINA
pat // October 27, 2008 at 2:46 pm |
I went to your blog through PlasticPilot’s one.
I’m so admirative!
I wouldn’t have imagined one could fly without arms.
Congratulations, and have fun in the sky.
Pat, french private pilot.
Graham Vaughan // November 2, 2008 at 2:36 pm |
Well done Jessica, There are some people that try to learn to fly, Some people never quite get to finnish the coarse. You have shown a remarkable resolve.
Congratulations and very well done. Keep flying.
Graham Vaughan Snr PPL UK & USA
Philip Toledano // November 6, 2008 at 3:21 am |
I cosider every pilot a special person.
I consider you a remarcable special person.
Be welcome Miss pilot.
All the best to you !
Philip
Robert H. Bement // November 12, 2008 at 9:33 am |
Jesse, You are an inspiration to us all. I too, am a pilot and I know the challenges with both of my arms. Check one of my videos out as I also have helped someone with a wish:
http://www.youtube.com/skybobb Search: His last wish an airplane ride.
Again you are an inspiration to us all. God Bless You. Bob
Jack Stanton // November 19, 2008 at 5:19 am |
I AM SOOO PROUD OF YOU, JESSICA!
I offered you my Ercoupe to train in but you lived too far away to accept.
You a truly an inspiration to all of us, there is nothing better than a CAN DO attitude.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY FLYING!
Jack
Joseph Okon OTR/L // December 1, 2008 at 5:14 pm |
I am truly inspired by your tenacity,courage,intrinsic motivation and leadership by example… You are God’s example of living hope and faith that all things are possible…As an occupational therapist for 20 years and a private pilot for 14years; your life story is a reminder to me as to what life is truly all about. Over coming all odds and being at peace with ones self that you gave it all that you have to give while here on earth…
Steve Weber // December 1, 2008 at 5:39 pm |
Congratulations on your solo and check ride. Those of us who are pilots can (really)appreciate what you must have experienced in your presuite of becoming a pilot. Go for it girl!
Joseph Gagliardi // December 4, 2008 at 9:13 pm |
Jessica, I am a polio victim and have very little use of my legs, but I learned how to fly and and even flew a J3 Cub, my life long dream. But learning to fly without arms is huge an impossible task, which you have overcome with determination and motivation that many physically normal folks don’t have. You are an outstanding women and speaking to many people about your experiences and positve attitude about lift is God speaking through you. Congratulations, you are an inspiration to us all. God blessed you with a special gift.
Rick Barnes // December 5, 2008 at 3:35 am |
Congratulations and welcome to fold of all of us the certifiable pilots who love flying . You have demonstrated that there are no barriers where the heart is. I heard about you from a personal friend Glen Davis. When I purchased my Ercoupe from glen this past October. Best of luck and god be with you and yours.
Rick
John Bisscheroux // December 5, 2008 at 7:10 am |
I, too, would like to add my sincerest
congratulations for your determination to overcome a serious physical restriction and solo an airplane.
Way to go and, I hope, you’re going to enjoy flying for the rest of your life.
A fellow pilot.
David A Kruger // December 24, 2008 at 11:12 am |
Jessica,
Congratulations! Keep on doing what your doing; inspiring people to focus on what they can do instead of what don’t. The world needs you special brand of grace . . .
David Kruger
The Aircraft Partnership Association
victoria ivy // January 17, 2009 at 3:33 pm |
Jessica,
You have truly inspired the nation, im just a medical student going through my days with loads of complain, but your success has lifted my spirit.
YOU GO GIRL!!
suresh // January 18, 2009 at 10:52 pm |
Hi Jessica,
What an awesome achievement ! I now truly believe that we can achieve anything we want if we want it bad enough !
Way to go girl !
simone // January 23, 2009 at 12:19 am |
how did you clear the FAA medical test???
dont you face any difficulties coppying the clearences while flying the plane?
nonfictioneditor // February 5, 2009 at 7:49 am |
Jessica said that she didn’t have to clear the medical because, as a sport pilot, one’s driver’s license acts as a medical. She has had her driver’s license since age 16, passed without using special adaptations.
Jumapili Chenga // February 17, 2009 at 12:22 am |
Jessica, I’ve no much to say but you are such an amazing young girl performing what not many cannot believe until they see you on your Ercoupe!! Let only the sky be the limit.
Well done all the best.
Jumapili
Stephen Insalaco // March 6, 2009 at 11:39 am |
Jessica;
I am so inspired by your aviation accomplishments, that I have posted the complete Arizona Daily Star story on my cubicle wall here at Raytheon, with images of Harriet Quimby and Katherine Stinson. Everyone here asks me about the story. Your blue Eurcoupe has made its way up to Benson Municipal Airport on at least one occasion. A Mr. Tom Graziano sold a Eurcoupe airframe to a local individual about a year ago. I’m wondering if one of the aircraft down there at Ray Blair airport is that aircraft. I hope you keep gaining flight experience by building hours, and enjoy doing it. Having a Light Sport certificate, see if your instructor will provide you with a cross country endorsement.
Many happy Landings,
Stephen C.
N714KU
Scott Ekberg // March 16, 2009 at 4:36 am |
Jessica…you are truely an inspiration to every one. I wish you Blue Skies and tailwinds for eternity.
ann // April 16, 2009 at 1:02 am |
you’re great you,re one in a billion!
DATTA HATWAR // May 22, 2009 at 6:14 am |
hi, its really great to see you fly in the sky and sky has no limit. happy landing
jessica