Charles Stites

There is big news on the horizon for Able Flight. For over a year we have been working on two major initiatives to build a long term future for our unique and successful program. Now we can provide you with an exciting update.

MAJOR INITIATIVE #1

It’s been obvious that there is a compelling need for additional adapted aircraft in which people with a disability can train. So, over the years, Able Flight has (shall we say) strongly encouraged manufacturers to offer the option of adapted hand controls for use by pilots without full use of their legs and feet.

Now we are well into a collaborative project with Vashon Aircraft to create a set of controls for their Ranger. That project is being led by engineer and pilot Clayton Smeltz, the owner of a Cirrus Vision Jet that he adapted for his own use. Due to lower limb paralysis, Clayton cannot use the standard rudder and brake controls, so he came up with his own version and gained approval by the FAA.

For months Clayton has been working with the engineering staff at Vashon. Prototyping, testing and approvals for add on controls for the Ranger are projected for 1st quarter 2024, just in time for the new controls to be used beginning next May. And that leads us to our second major initiative. [Read more…] about Exciting News For Able Flight

The seven members of Able Flight’s “Class of 2023” were pinned with their pilot’s wings at a ceremony on July 25th at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. They were honored after months of study that concluded in them passing their check rides after training both online and then in-person for six weeks at Purdue University.

Receiving their pilot wings were Tyler Cernik of Michigan, Bobby Dove of Alabama, Melvin Du of Colorado, Leslie Irby of Georgia, Andrew Kurka of Alaska, Dijon McCorkle of Mississippi and William Scheremet of Minnesota.

Also honored at the ceremony were Volunteer of the Year Amalia Yoandies and Flight Instructor of the Year Cameron Sansone. Presenting those awards were Able Flight supporters Bob Seidel and Aviation Hall of Fame member, Patty Wagstaff.

In a special announcement this year it was revealed that Cirrus Aircraft has now signed on to sponsor a scholarship for an Able Flight pilot for the next three years.

[Read more…] about Able Flight Pilots of 2023 Get Their Wings

With weeks of daily flights (sometimes two a day) behind them, all seven of the members of the Able Flight “Class of 2023” passed their check rides and are now licensed pilots. They will be honored at Able Flight’s annual Wings Pinning Ceremony at EAA AirVenture on Tuesday, July 25th at 10am at Theater In The Woods.

All together the new pilots logged over 300 hours in the air and more than that on the ground between late May and early July at Purdue University. Beginning in the cooler weather of Spring and finishing in the hot and hazy days of Summer, Melvin Du, Tyler Cernik, Dijon McCorkle, Bobby Dove and William Scheremet went from zero hours to licensed Sport Pilots, and Leslie Irby added her Private Pilot Certificate to the Sport Pilot Certificate she earned through Able Flight in 2019.

A special thanks to Lead Instructor Amalia Yoanides and instructors Nic Shelton, Hallie Miller and Cameron Sansone along with the support and maintenance staff at Purdue.