Deaf pilots

[Chris_Ford]

Okay, well every day is a new experience as a CFI and I just had a gentleman walk in with his daughter, and the guy wanted to learn to fly, but he was deaf.

Now I know there really aren't any obstacles stopping him (we are a uncontrolled fields and I've read about the prior notice to the class D airspace areas, etc...)... But my question is a question of technique:

Has anyone ever had a deaf student before? If so, what methods did you use to teach (just a lot of hand signs and handwritten notes? or was there a system you devised?) How much more time did it take in the air? I'm sure it will take a lot more ground work, but was the flight comparable? Most specifically, I'm thinking in the area of landings, with small corrections needed in a short time, how do you handle that?

Seems a bit overwhelming, but sounds like a good challenge.

[SteveC]

Good for you to consider doing this. It will take extra work on your part, but the rewards will be great.

Here's some links to get you started:

Deaf Pilots Association

FAA deaf pilot certification FAQ's

This might be just what you're looking for, a joint brochure by the FAA and DPA: To Fly: An Initial Guide for Deaf Pilots and Their Instructors

[moxiepilot]

sign language basics aren't too hard to pick up - i used sign language for dummies, sign language made simple and the american sign language dictionary.

however you will be teaching a lot of technical stuff, so consider at least picking up a book to learn the a b c's

good luck on whatever your choice.

[Chris_Ford]

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Good for you to consider doing this. It will take extra work on your part, but the rewards will be great.

Here's some links to get you started:

Deaf Pilots Association

FAA deaf pilot certification FAQ's

This might be just what you're looking for, a joint brochure by the FAA and DPA: To Fly: An Initial Guide for Deaf Pilots and Their Instructors

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Yeah I read that stuff but it didn't seem to tackle how to overcome communication barriers... Was curious if someone on the board had had a deaf student to get some first hand advice.

Picking up a sign language book might not be a bad idea, but this guy was on the fence whether he wanted to do it or not, and he said "not until winter at least" so I have some time to think about it.

[SteveC]

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Was curious if someone on the board had had a deaf student to get some first hand advice.

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Probably a long shot since there is only 100 - 150 active deaf pilots in the country, but we might get lucky. Considering that the odds are against it though, I'll put an additional 2¢ of mine in the pot...

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Yeah I read that stuff but it didn't seem to tackle how to overcome communication barriers...

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Yeah, they don't say a lot, but there were a couple of snippets that might be helpful:

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Q. How do I choose a flight school and instructor?

A. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has a book available on choosing your flight instructor and flight school. The International Deaf Pilots Association has information regarding flight instructors who know how to sign. Generally speaking, you should visit the location to observe the professionalism of the school. You will need to discuss your particular degree of hearing impairment with the flight instructor and establish how to communicate best with each other. Have the flight instructor you select contact the IDPA for additional advice and assistance.

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How do you talk to your instructor while learning to fly?

You must work out in advance whatever communication method suits you best. Your instructor could write notes on a small clipboard and pass them to you as you fly. You could teach your instructor a few signs, or agree on some gestures for common flight tasks. Your instructor can point to each of the six instruments to indicate what corrections you need to make during your flying lessons. You can schedule additional ground time to go over the lesson plan in detail before flying. Demonstrations by the instructor are a key part of the training, and you can learn by watching a maneuver, and then attempting to do it yourself, under your instructor’s watchful eye.

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There are a lot of variations in the amount and types of disabilities that different people have. Each will require unique strategies to overcome, and will have to be tailored to the individual student. I don't have experience working with deaf people, but I have done a lot with physically disabled and blind athletes in years past and the need to tailor the strategies to the individual is the same.

If you get the opportunity to work with this guy, I'll bet you won't regret it. I had more fun working with disabled athletes than almost any other bunch you can name. It is usually only the more adventuresome and outgoing types that are willing to "push the boundaries", and they can be a blast to hang with.

A girl that is a very good friend of mine is blind and a former US Disabled Ski Team snow skier, and she is big into running and roller blading (with a guide), and we've spent a lot of years water skiing together. Last week she set a new world's record for longest water ski jump for a blind female - almost 60 feet in distance off from a five foot tall jump ramp. That same tournament features paraplegics, quadraplegics, arm and leg amputees all competing in slalom, tricks and jumping. They are an adventuresome lot to say the least (in fact, many of the young male para's and quad's are there because there were too adventuresome - a word to the wise for the adrenaline junkies out there).

[BCTAv8r]

Read "Flight of the Gin Fizz". It is about a deaf pilot overcoming obstacles to get a pilot's license and then he makes a coast to coast flight. Quite an interesting story.