Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor
Greetings,
Today I had the pleasure of taking Ms. Ava Blackford who is 10 years old and 100 percent blind since the age of 2 due to a brain tumor. She hand flew the airplane and literally by the “seat of her pants” – and grinning the whole way.
Before the flight, I had Ava “feel” the airplane — starting with the prop and and cowling inlets, the wings, ailerons, flaps, elevator, rudder, and cockpit stick. She was reaching for the harness seat belt just by instinct. She was nervous but excited and wanted to be told about each phase of the flight – giggling when she herself would climb and descend much like a gentle roller coaster.
At the end of the flight she wanted to know where the gas tanks were — what a curiosity and what a delight it was for me to be able to take her on the voyage. We take our senses for granted – Ms. Ava is an amazing young lady who plays the piano and does kickball with other blind kids with a ball and bases that beep!
As we were descending for landing – Ms. Ava wanted to know what the beeping was in the headphones – and it was a built in warning from Garmin instrumentation we were approaching 50′ above ground. Ms. Ava was taking it ALL in – so much fun to share with her!
Young Eagle Flights are for kids ages 8-17 and are provided free. The Wind Ryder EAA Chapter 1533 will be providing flights to approximately 40 kids on Saturday, Oct. 11 at the Maryville airport and at this time registration is closed, but we will have a waiting list in the event of cancelations.
Phillip M. Poynter, EAA Member 1086112
Wind Ryder EAA Chapter 1533
