Jessica Cox - First Armless Pilot

Prepare to be inspired.

Jessica Cox, the first armless pilot, has flown onto our latest episode of DisAbility Talks! She breaks down her journey to the cockpit and her desire to become the first armless pilot. This is a story you won't want to miss. Take to the skies with our host, Shelly Houser, and Jessica Cox on this brand-new episode!

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To find out more about our guest, visit these links:
Websites: https://www.jessicacox.com/ and https://www.jessicacox.com/project2025/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JCMSofficial
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jess_feet?s=20
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightfooted/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rightfooted/

Want to be a guest on our show?  Connect with us at: https://www.abilitiesinmotion.org/podcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbilitiesinMotionPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/abilitiesinmotion/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BerksCountyCIL?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instaaim/    

Transcript

Intro: 0:00

Welcome to DisAbility Talks, a podcast produced by Abilities in Motion. I'm your host, Shelly Houser. Join us for real conversations and no nonsense talk from everyday people with disabilities living their most independent everyday lives. Tune in for the latest news surrounding disability, accessibility and independence. Where conversations aren't dissed and stories that need to be told aren't missed. So let's talk.

Shelly: 0:27

Recently, I gave a speech on assistive technology and how, for persons with disabilities, it can enhance, or in some case improve our lives. My guest today drives, types on her computer, pumps her own gas, and is a fourth black belt in TaeKwonDo. She also scuba dives and surfs. It sounds all average until I tell you, that she's also the world's first armless pilot. Jessica Cox is back from her trip to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air show in Wisconsin, and she joins us from her home today in Arizona to tell us more. Good morning, Jessica. Thanks for being on the show.

Jessica: 1:01

Good morning. Glad to be on.

Shelly: 1:02

Thank you for being here. So welcome back from Oshkosh. I heard it was quite a show this year.

Jessica: 1:08

Oh, it was unbelievable. And I know they had record numbers in attendance and for us it was a record as well that we got an ErCoupe all the way from Tucson, Arizona. Roundtrip, it was 4,000 miles all the way out to Wisconsin and back with of course technical issues, which is always the case with the vintage airplane, but we were excited to be there and be a part of a historic year.

Shelly: 1:30

How did you get that plane out there? Did you fly it yourself or did you tow it?

Jessica: 1:34

No. Um, just to give you background, I am certified as the first armless pilot, but for me, endurance wise, because I had my feet on the controls and use my feet, like hands, it is almost like doing a crunch for the entirety of the flight. So for me, I have an endurance of about two hours and then I'm fatigued. So you can't get fatigued when behind the controls of the plane, as you know, you have to be ahead of the airplane. So it was not practical for me to be a part of that, but I was on the ground. I was the ground chase crew, I should say, to help them to help with getting all the supplies to the spots that we stopped at so.

Shelly: 2:09

Okay, great. Tell us about Oshkosh b ecause I have never heard of it before, and I hear it's such a huge deal. So tell us about what was going on there and what you did during the show that week.

Jessica: 2:21

Okay. So AirVenture is the largest, um, gathering of pilots, aviation enthusiasts, and obviously people who are big fans of aviation. They just come together once a year in the summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and the proper name is AirVenture. And it brings an international audience, uh, clearly, uh, a lot of people from all over the United States. And we have during that particular week, it is the busiest airport in the whole world. And that's what I was a part of is, is bringing in a vintage airplane that I certified to fly to be a part of that, to, uh, talk aviation, to talk, you know, all the different things that are related to aviation and to show the airplane off to people and, and to show them and talk about our stories as pilots.

Shelly: 3:12

Very cool. You fly an AirCo 415 C ErCoupe, is that right?

Jessica: 3:18

Correct. Yes.

Shelly: 3:19

Yeah. Explain how your plane works differently than other small aircraft.

Jessica: 3:26

Okay. And let me also clarify the name that it is ErCoupe was the company that built it, but it is ErCoupe airplane and your question is how, how do I fly that?

Shelly: 3:36

Yeah how does it work and compare to other small aircraft?

Speaker 2: 3:40

So it is the only airplane in history, in aviation history. There may be one other that I would just, uh, brought my awareness was, uh, it was just brought to my awareness this past summer, but it is a one, if not the only airplane without rudder pedals. So essentially it has two less controls than other airplanes. When you sit and say assessment, if you were to go, if you were to go to your nearest airport, he said an assessment airplane, there are four controls, meaning you need four limbs on all the controls, but this ErCoupe is the only plane that has only two controls. So it's the two control airplane. The other controls are tied in. So it, it kind of synchronizes the controls in a way that's very fascinating. It was built in the forties. And because of that, I do not have special modifications to the airplane. It's just the airplane design itself that allows me to fly with two feet on the control.

Shelly: 4:34

When did you first fly this type of plane?

Jessica: 4:37

So I first started flying when I was, uh, starting out in training. I started out in the typical airplane, which is assessment. And then I progressed realizing that this would not work for me to fly solo for me to get my certification. And so we found it probably, it was 2006 when I first sat in an ERCoupe.

Shelly: 4:58

Yeah. And how does it something you always wanted to do to, to be a pilot?

Jessica: 5:03

It was not something I always wanted to do, it was something I was always definitely afraid of. So for me, I really stretched my comfort levels to pursue flying because I wanted to really reinforce to people I speak to as a motivational speaker, as a professional speaker, that you shouldn't let fear stand in the way of opportunities. And we all are afraid of something, but we should still go out and do these things, despite our fear. And for me to be able to be that living example, I wanted to do that so that when I speak on stage, I'm not just saying it, but I'm living it out truly in my life. And that's why I pursued that something that I was so afraid of. I'm not afraid of heights, let me clarify that, but I am afraid of losing contact with the ground and also a way for me to show the world what's possible for someone with a disability.

Shelly: 5:55

I think I'll keep my one on the ground. Thank you very much b ecause I am afraid of heights.

Jessica: 6:00

Ok, well, I totally get you. It's, it's hard to kind of marry the two if you're afraid of heights, but you'd be surprised that you could really stretch yourself, but, uh, it does take a lot more emotional effort I think from us.

Shelly: 6:13

Definitely, yeah. So as a mentor and a disability rights advocate, you travel the world. What organizations do you partner with and what's your mission of your foundation?

Jessica: 6:23

Well, as a mentor, I actually started my own nonprofit called Right-Footed Foundation International because I was inspired by my own mentor. A woman who came into my life at a point where I really needed the support. I was a teenager. I didn't think anyone else in the world didn't have arms and live their life through their feet in the same way I did. She became part of my life. Um, just through a story that was on a local news station. And I immediately reached out, said,"Let's connect, I have to meet you." And she became this example for me of what's possible. And I wanted to replicate that for others out there who feel like they're the only ones there alone. And to show them that it's possible to do these great things like aviation, surfing, TaeKwonDo, all these different activities to empower that sense of confidence that we all we all want more of. And that's why I started my own foundation, a 5 0 1 C three in the state of Arizona. And it's doing work to mentor, educate advocate and inspire so many.

Shelly: 7:25

I love hearing about that. I started following you about two years ago, and I used you as an example in teaching our students with IDD here at Abilities in Motion. So they all know who you are as well. So they're very excited to hear this podcast later.

Jessica: 7:41

Great.

Shelly: 7:42

You acquired your fourth black belt in TaeKwonDo and scuba diving. What does it mean to be able to reach all these accomplishments and which one, which sport was the most challenging for you?

Speaker 2: 7:56

For me accomplishments and taking the opportunities directly results in confidence and empowerment. And the way it's actually stated is it's a fourth degree black belt in TaeKwonDo, which means there are different degrees. Once you get your first degree black belt and you move up in the ranks, uh, once you get past that, you can start moving up and, and you start increasing your requirements and such. So, um, I have done so many other activities that have really been wonderful opportunities for me to test the waters and the tests that whether it's, how to figure it out and do it in a different way, do it without two arms, two hands. And I think it's just wonderful to get to do something and stretch myself. And as a result, I have this boost of confidence and this almost like adrenaline from achieving it. Um, and it's almost like being an adrenaline junkie or something where you go out and you do things to experience that and they become contagious. And I think that's what I hope to show other people too. Sometimes we have to stretch ourselves because it helps us to become even better. And it helps us grow as a person, I should say.

Shelly: 9:05

Yeah. Have you taken on being a mentor to any one or two individuals in particular or just in general living your everyday best life is, is you mentoring?

Jessica: 9:17

Um, I have a true passion for it, but now I have taken on probably at least 20 women and men born for who have lost their arms formed without, or who have lost their arms. And I'm doing this regularly on a one-on-one basis. And now looking forward to bringing everyone together for a gathering of these individuals so that we can provide that sense of community and support.

Shelly: 9:43

Are you going to try and make it like a big in-person event?

Jessica: 9:46

Yes. When it's, uh, you know, a good time to gather again, uh, in groups, I think we will have to be wary of that as well. And, um, considerate of that. But right now it's definitely on a virtual platform. Like for example, the last two months I had virtual meetup where we had a group of people, um, like a specific group of young women born without arms from like age five to age like 50. And, um, with the, you know, the older ones, um, giving the wisdom to the young people, the younger girls who have so many questions.

Shelly: 10:23

Yeah. Yeah. And I think with that, we're going to take a short commercial break and we'll be back with Jessica Cox.

AD: 10:29

Abilities in Motion is one of Pennsylvania's premier centers for independent living, existing to educate, support, and promote individuals with disabilities. Our programs are focused on providing opportunities for individuals with disabilities to live independent, self-determined lives. Abilities in Motion advocates for local, state, and national laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities. We are proud to create innovative and sustainable solutions and set trends using multi focused approaches towards shaping national education, employment opportunities, in-home supports and healthcare that affects the lives of individuals with disabilities. For more information about programs and services Abilities in Motion provides call 610-376-0010, or visit our website at www.abilitiesinmotion.org.

Shelly: 11:17

And welcome back listeners. We're here with Jessica Cox, the world's first armless pilot, and an amazing woman. Jessica, you have been so accomplished in everything that you do. What is your next venture that you're still trying to achieve in life?

Jessica: 11:32

I am still trying to achieve something that we just launched this past, I would say probably a couple of weeks. And that is the goal of building a custom airplane to be flown with seats. And that means that the, um, pilot command seat, which is typically the left side, is going to be modified with special controls. And we're going to have, um, it'll be all set for, for me to fly it as well as other people who may be foot users or by their loss of use of their arms, or were born without arms. And that's the goal is to build this from a kit, which is such an endeavor, it's going to take four years, we're calling it project 2025, but that's the goal right now on the radar.

Shelly: 12:20

Would it help with the seating of the plane to put it back further? So your legs are not so cramped in that space that's built for arms?

Jessica: 12:28

Exactly. Exactly. It's just very precarious sometimes, especially after at least an hour of flight, basically having my feet up in a position like that, and my foot falls asleep, I get a cramp, might have to get a Charlie horse. So the idea is to have the seat back, I'd be in a resting, comfortable position and have the controls on the floor.

Shelly: 12:48

Yes, that makes sense. So will the wheel be on the floor as well, or just lower in the cockpit?

Jessica: 12:55

It would probably be on the floor as well. So we'll have to figure it out right now. We're welcoming design ideas. We're welcoming, obviously the support, because it is a very expensive endeavor to build an airplane. U m, but w e a re, w e very much believe in what we can do with this plane when it's finished and how we can inspire so many more people. U h, this past summer, we took a trip from Tucson, as I mentioned to Wisconsin and back 4,000 m iles round trip. And what we did was we stopped along the way at different camps for people with disabilities. One was a camp for children with disabilities, u h, p ublic c amp. A nd t hat a bility that h elps, u h, children who were born without limbs or w ho've lost l imbs come together every summer and d o sports. We stopped at a local airport, brought them to the airport and inspired them with the image of the airplane. I sat in the p lane, like I said, I didn't fly it there, but I sat in the plane and showed them all about the airplane and said, this is the plane I fly and i nspired to plant that seed, that aviation is a possibility for any of them. And then we flew it back and stopped at Topeka, Kansas at a camp called Camp Creek Mission Creek Camp in Topeka. And we stopped i n stop there and visited. And it was wonderful to share with them and flew over the c amp. It was, it was pretty impressive experience to be able to inspire them.

Shelly: 14:10

Have you been able to do that kid camps visit in previous years?

Speaker 2: 14:15

I had before the pandemic, but I've never, um, brought the plan there.

Shelly: 14:23

I was just curious if you've ever heard back from one of the kiddos and found out that you had inspired them to move on to have their own career in being a pilot as well. So you'll have to track that.

Jessica: 14:32

Yes. I look forward to tracking her.

Shelly: 14:35

Because I know growing up, there were no role models, at least for me, I didn't see role models like we see like you are today and, and the way you were going to watch the Paralympics this year. And, you know, for the first time here in the United States live and what kind of impact that's going to make on these younger generations to see people like you as role models and, and see how that inspires their futures to grow up. So that's a wonderful thing. Thank you for doing it.

Jessica: 15:03

You're so welcome. It's very rewarding.

Shelly: 15:05

So what else do you have planned for the future?

Jessica: 15:09

I'm going to continue my speaking career because it's something, it's my profession. It's how I get how we pay for food on the table. And, and so it's both, uh, a business that my husband and I run, so I will continue to do that if it means virtually doing motivational speeches, I'll do that. Uh, if we get to a point where it's basic travel again, and there was these variants coming out, it's a little scary, but, um, I've done two in-person events thus far, uh, with masks and everything and doing the whole, um, you know, being careful about it. Um, but I hope that there will be more events cause I plan to be out there and speaking, continuing to get the message out there,

Shelly: 15:51

Have you been reaching out to any corporate partners to kind of help you along with the building of the airplanes and getting your word out a little bit broader? Has anything happened with that?

Jessica: 16:00

Well, I hope this interview will lead to potential corporate partnerships because I think people recognize how important it is, um, and how important it is to continue to buyer and to motivate and choose aviation in a very special way. So I'm looking for corporate partnerships and people who want to be a part of this because we're really at the very beginning stage.

Shelly: 16:20

Anybody in particular that you'd hit up, maybe Richard Branson?

Jessica: 16:25

That would be great. If you have contacts there, I'm open to it. I haven't really reached out to big VIP's yet.

Shelly: 16:35

We'll hashtag him just to see what happens. How's that?

Jessica: 16:38

Great. Thank you. Yeah.

Shelly: 16:40

So on that note, I was wondering how corporate sponsors and our listeners can find out more about you and reach out to you about these programs?

Jessica: 16:48

Please go to www.jessicacox.com. And if you want to find out about the RB 10 project and how we're going to reach more people inspires aviation, you go to jessicacox.com/project2025.

Shelly: 17:03

Perfect. And with that, I think we're going to finish up and say, that's our episode today for DisAbility Talks. Jessica, thanks so much for your time. We really appreciate having you in the studio with us and telling us all about this.

Jessica: 17:14

Thank you, Shelly, thank you for the opportunity and inviting me to be a part of your community here. So it's wonderful what you're doing. Thank you so much.

Shelly: 17:22

You're you're doing a great job and we're hoping to hear big things from you soon in 2022 and moving on. And to our listeners. Thank you so much for joining and listening in from all over the world. Don't forget to hit that Like and Subscribe button so you never miss an episode of DisAbility Talks.

Speaker 1: 17:59

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of DisAbility Talks. Want to keep the conversation going? Then visit our website at abilitiesinmotion.org, or connect with us on social media. And remember, don't dis my ability.