Can Deaf person fly the plane of any type?
Discussion
Yes, they (and I) can.
As mentioned, the US is quite relaxed and there's even a Deaf Pilot's Association.
In the UK, the standard Class 2 medical tests your hearing (conversational levels at 2m) hence is generally a barrier for deaf pilots. However, the National Private Pilot's Licence is based on the DVLA Fitness to Drive standards and only requires a counter-declaration from your GP to confirm that there is nothing in your medical history that prevents you from meeting the DVLA standards.
The Group 1 driving standard - for simply driving a private car - allows you to fly an aircraft solo or with a safety pilot. Under this standard there is no need to inform the DVLA of your deafness until the age of 70.
The Group 2 professional (LGV/PCVs and the like) driving standard allows you to carry up to three passengers within the privilege of the unrestricted licence. The stated standard here is "Of paramount importance is the proven ability to be able to communicate in the event of an emergency by speech or by using a device e.g. a MINICOM. If unable so to do the licence is likely to be refused or revoked." Hence, deafness is not a barrier here either if you can communicate by text.
Hence a deaf person can fly anything from gliders and microlights up to the 2000kg limit of the NPPL in good day weather and in sight of the surface at all times.
The actual practicalities are not quite as difficult as some may imagine. There are clear non-radio procedures, which every pilot is supposed to know, and indeed quite a lot of aircraft flying without radios as a matter of course outside controlled airspace. Deaf pilots can make blind calls on the radio and light guns can be used to signal non-radio aircraft. Warning lights can be fitted to alert the pilot to approaching stalls. The awkward part is usually learning to fly in the first place, especially as not many instructors have experience in this area (much like learning to drive). But with practice, sign language can be used or even lip reading (using mirrors in tandem gliders).
You can read about the experiences of John Donovan (now a deaf glider instructor at Shenington) in the Hearing Matters (Page 20)
As mentioned, the US is quite relaxed and there's even a Deaf Pilot's Association.
In the UK, the standard Class 2 medical tests your hearing (conversational levels at 2m) hence is generally a barrier for deaf pilots. However, the National Private Pilot's Licence is based on the DVLA Fitness to Drive standards and only requires a counter-declaration from your GP to confirm that there is nothing in your medical history that prevents you from meeting the DVLA standards.
The Group 1 driving standard - for simply driving a private car - allows you to fly an aircraft solo or with a safety pilot. Under this standard there is no need to inform the DVLA of your deafness until the age of 70.
The Group 2 professional (LGV/PCVs and the like) driving standard allows you to carry up to three passengers within the privilege of the unrestricted licence. The stated standard here is "Of paramount importance is the proven ability to be able to communicate in the event of an emergency by speech or by using a device e.g. a MINICOM. If unable so to do the licence is likely to be refused or revoked." Hence, deafness is not a barrier here either if you can communicate by text.
Hence a deaf person can fly anything from gliders and microlights up to the 2000kg limit of the NPPL in good day weather and in sight of the surface at all times.
The actual practicalities are not quite as difficult as some may imagine. There are clear non-radio procedures, which every pilot is supposed to know, and indeed quite a lot of aircraft flying without radios as a matter of course outside controlled airspace. Deaf pilots can make blind calls on the radio and light guns can be used to signal non-radio aircraft. Warning lights can be fitted to alert the pilot to approaching stalls. The awkward part is usually learning to fly in the first place, especially as not many instructors have experience in this area (much like learning to drive). But with practice, sign language can be used or even lip reading (using mirrors in tandem gliders).
You can read about the experiences of John Donovan (now a deaf glider instructor at Shenington) in the Hearing Matters (Page 20)
Just to add, Aerobility (formerly the British Disabled Flying Association) have arrangements to teach deaf students and operate from Cranfield Airfield just outside Milton Keynes.
ninja-lewis said:
Just to add, Aerobility (formerly the British Disabled Flying Association) have arrangements to teach deaf students and operate from Cranfield Airfield just outside Milton Keynes.
Tried phoning them several times....................no answersorry
Breadvan73 said:
An aircraft flies because it has wings or rotors, not because it has a radio
This.It's a popular misconception that every aircraft is talking to Air Traffic Control. There's plenty of class G airspace in the UK where you can pop up and bimble about without talking to anyone.
I have tried and searching around google site..... it seem that i'm either looking wrong site or type in wrong. As im profoundly deaf and i do wishes to becoming a commercil pilot but it is really impossible because FAA or CAA wouldn't allowed it eh!! To learn to Fly in USA will costing me heavy plus need to get visa from USA and etc.....
I have tried www.bdfa.net,www.deafpilot.com also Aerobility site... it seem that i fail all of them cos i getting no reply... why do i have to suffer just because i'm profound deaf!!!
Any help or advise??
Regards
Mark
I have tried www.bdfa.net,www.deafpilot.com also Aerobility site... it seem that i fail all of them cos i getting no reply... why do i have to suffer just because i'm profound deaf!!!
Any help or advise??
Regards
Mark
Something I recall from when I did my PPL, was that as a student pilot, you could use the radio all you liked - right up to the point the CAA signed off your PPL.
Once you had your PPL though, you were not permitted to use the radio unless you had passed a separate radio exam.
So essentially you went from learning to fly with a radio, to qualified to fly but no radio
Once you had your PPL though, you were not permitted to use the radio unless you had passed a separate radio exam.
So essentially you went from learning to fly with a radio, to qualified to fly but no radio
How can this be allowed?
Yes this is discriminatory, but only in the context of safety and common sense, which as in many similarcases makes it justified in my opinion.
How can a deaf person tell other aircraft or controllers immediately and clearly of malfunctions, critical events when such events may prevent them from typing the situation out on a computer. Particularly as many such critical situations would require all of the pilot's attention, fingers, arms and legs?? ie no time to do some typing?
Aslo how can they be told as effectively by others of such events.
Please no anti disabled comments, this just seems like common sense to me.
Yes this is discriminatory, but only in the context of safety and common sense, which as in many similarcases makes it justified in my opinion.
How can a deaf person tell other aircraft or controllers immediately and clearly of malfunctions, critical events when such events may prevent them from typing the situation out on a computer. Particularly as many such critical situations would require all of the pilot's attention, fingers, arms and legs?? ie no time to do some typing?
Aslo how can they be told as effectively by others of such events.
Please no anti disabled comments, this just seems like common sense to me.
To carry fair paying passengers you need a class one medical, and this involves an audiogram. So no deaf pilots on commercial airplanes.
For a normal PPL you need a class two medical, and this involves having hearing good enough to hold a conversation at 2m. So no profoundly deaf PPLs.
For a NPPL (aircraft with a max TOM of 2000kgs) then a letter from your GP stating you can hold a driving licence is enough. So, yes you can get deaf NPPLs
For a normal PPL you need a class two medical, and this involves having hearing good enough to hold a conversation at 2m. So no profoundly deaf PPLs.
For a NPPL (aircraft with a max TOM of 2000kgs) then a letter from your GP stating you can hold a driving licence is enough. So, yes you can get deaf NPPLs
lawtoni said:
How can this be allowed?
Yes this is discriminatory, but only in the context of safety and common sense, which as in many similarcases makes it justified in my opinion.
How can a deaf person tell other aircraft or controllers immediately and clearly of malfunctions, critical events when such events may prevent them from typing the situation out on a computer. Particularly as many such critical situations would require all of the pilot's attention, fingers, arms and legs?? ie no time to do some typing?
Aslo how can they be told as effectively by others of such events.
Please no anti disabled comments, this just seems like common sense to me.
Because as mentioned above, there's plenty of airspace in the UK where it is not required to have a radio and you can go flying to your hearts content without talking to anyone.Yes this is discriminatory, but only in the context of safety and common sense, which as in many similarcases makes it justified in my opinion.
How can a deaf person tell other aircraft or controllers immediately and clearly of malfunctions, critical events when such events may prevent them from typing the situation out on a computer. Particularly as many such critical situations would require all of the pilot's attention, fingers, arms and legs?? ie no time to do some typing?
Aslo how can they be told as effectively by others of such events.
Please no anti disabled comments, this just seems like common sense to me.
I understand that is IS allowed, however I am shocked that it is allowed.
I for one think for the reasons I have outlined that it is irresponsible beyond comprehension that completely deaf people are allowed to fly.
In the same why I would not expect a deaf person to be able to become a fire fighter or someone who is blind to be able to drive trains for a living.
I for one think for the reasons I have outlined that it is irresponsible beyond comprehension that completely deaf people are allowed to fly.
In the same why I would not expect a deaf person to be able to become a fire fighter or someone who is blind to be able to drive trains for a living.
lawtoni said:
I understand that is IS allowed, however I am shocked that it is allowed.
I for one think for the reasons I have outlined that it is irresponsible beyond comprehension that completely deaf people are allowed to fly.
In the same why I would not expect a deaf person to be able to become a fire fighter or someone who is blind to be able to drive trains for a living.
Are you shocked that people are allowed to fly without radios?I for one think for the reasons I have outlined that it is irresponsible beyond comprehension that completely deaf people are allowed to fly.
In the same why I would not expect a deaf person to be able to become a fire fighter or someone who is blind to be able to drive trains for a living.
lawtoni said:
I am shocked that people choose or are allowed to fly, without them or others having the option/ability of communicating by radio, yes. for the above reasons
But what kind of malfunction would they need to tell controllers about 'immediately and clearly'?In most emergencies the pilot would be too busy to chat on the radion anyway. If the brakes fail on your car you concentrate on stopping safely, only once you've done that do you worry about calling the AA.
I'm not a pilot (more's the pity for me!) but off the top of my head:
engine fire or fuel emergency, pilot needs to land immediately, needs assistance with directions to nearest runway, needs to alert other traffic to get out of the way, needs to request emergency services/assistance on the ground
air traffic control needs to alert pilot of danger and/or damage to air craft which pilot hasn't seen or traffic or other issue that requires pilots to take evasive action.
there surely are any number of emergencies which require radio contact, which the lack thereof would represent a massive safety hazard.
engine fire or fuel emergency, pilot needs to land immediately, needs assistance with directions to nearest runway, needs to alert other traffic to get out of the way, needs to request emergency services/assistance on the ground
air traffic control needs to alert pilot of danger and/or damage to air craft which pilot hasn't seen or traffic or other issue that requires pilots to take evasive action.
there surely are any number of emergencies which require radio contact, which the lack thereof would represent a massive safety hazard.
lawtoni said:
I'm not a pilot (more's the pity for me!) but off the top of my head:
engine fire or fuel emergency, pilot needs to land immediately, needs assistance with directions to nearest runway
If you have an emergency and need to land immediately, you need to land immediately. You don't need-to-land-immediately-but-please-get-me-to-a-runway.engine fire or fuel emergency, pilot needs to land immediately, needs assistance with directions to nearest runway
The mantra drummed in to every pilot pretty much from lesson one of the PPL is :
1. Aviate
2. Navigate
3. Communicate
That's the priority order. You don't need a radio. Not saying it isn't useful, but it's not vital, and in large swathes of UK airspace it is not required to have one not are many types of aircraft fitted with one.
lawtoni said:
needs to alert other traffic to get out of the way
Another misconception, but in the UK aircraft with radios don't talk to each other like that. Comms is between aircraft and ATS, not aircraft to aircraft.lawtoni said:
air traffic control needs to alert pilot of danger and/or damage to air craft which pilot hasn't seen or traffic or other issue that requires pilots to take evasive action.
Will give you the benefit of the doubt here and not assume you think ATS have some sort of "all seeing eye" nationally, across all UK airspace. 
Some airfields insist that visiting aircraft have radios, but equally there are plenty of places that accept non-radio traffic, and will have published procedures for non radio arrivals / departures. Part of Air Law (one of the exams you need to pass to get your PPL) includes knowledge of the various air-ground signalling methods which are used for non radio traffic or in the event of radio failure.
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