Able Flight at Purdue University: Case Studies of Flight Training Strategies to Accommodate Student Pilots with Disabilities

Abstract

This paper documents flight training strategies used to accommodate student pilots with disabilities in the Able Flight at Purdue program; this program benefits participants as well as the institutional sponsor and the aviation industry. All training aircraft, procedures, and operations are compliant with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, however, the program utilizes a tailored approach within the regulatory standards to meet the unique needs of each individual. The SHELL model (Software, Hardware, Environment and Liveware) is used as a theoretical framework to illustrate how flight training is adapted for individuals with limited dexterity or limited hearing. The Able Flight at Purdue program is explained, including the preparation before the students arrive on campus and the accelerated flight training program. Two case studies using the SHELL model illustrate training modifications for a pilot who uses a manual wheelchair and a Deaf pilot; both of these students successfully completed the program and earned an FAA Sport Pilot certificate. This Peer Review Practice paper also discusses the benefits of the program. There are direct benefits to the individual participants, both to the student pilots as well as to the certified flight instructors (CFIs), based on qualitative survey responses. The broader impacts of the program include support for diversity and inclusion realized by the institution, the aviation sector, and the community.