On Monday January 13th, Able Flight pilot Chris Sullivan of Louisiana passed his check ride to earn his Instrument Rating. Those who remember his story are well aware of how determined he is when he sets a goal, and how challenging it is for him dealing with the effects of paralysis. Chris served as a Sergeant in the Army and was critically injured when he was shot in the spine while in a combat zone in 2005, and that injury left him a quadriplegic.
He earned his first license through Able Flight after training at Purdue in a Sky Arrow, then his Private on his own. He then added an Advanced Ground Instructor Certificate, and now his Instrument Rating. Chris plans to take his Commercial check ride soon. Making his recent success all the more impressive, this comes after nearly a year spent mostly in bed while recovering from a serious illness.
The Piper Arrow you see behind Chris and the examiner is one Chris bought from Clayton Smeltz, a pilot/engineer who is a paraplegic. Clayton has received FAA approval for adapted controls he designed, installed and tested in several of his own planes, including his own Cirrus Vision Jet.
In 2024, Clayton generously spent a great deal of time creating the adapted hand controls for the Vashon Rangers for which Able Flight raised funds in 2023 and 2024. We have now donated those two Rangers to our training partner Southern Illinois University in return for their long term commitment to train Able Flight Scholarship recipients.
Chris Sullivan’s son Jaxson is now taking flying lessons, and as soon as he is old enough will solo and later earn his Private certificate. He often flies with his dad and assists with loading his wheelchair into the baggage area.
Congratulations Chris!