What if you had a powerful interest in flying but you needed special equipment? I don’t mean flat-screen avionics, powerful engines, or comfortable seats — though all those are indeed fun.
Instead, I refer to people who want to fly but may have challenges many of us don’t face. If you had a passion for flight but you had lost the use of your legs, must you just give up?
Not if Charles Stites and Able Flight have anything to do with it. Of course, personal determination is also required.
Enabling Flight
Charles founded Able Flight in 2006 with a believe that, “the life-changing experience of learning to fly is best shared.” He carefully designed the Able Flight Scholarships to enable people with disabilities to pursue that experience and he’s been nothing short of amazing in his success at this. Over 18 years of operation, Able Flight has awarded 130 scholarships minting 98 new pilots. Able Flight announced that this 2024 class was the largest to-date.
Southern Illinois University in Carbondale assembled members of their team by one of two Vashon Rangers equipped with hand controls. Image from SIU
At an EAA AirVenture Oshkosh ceremony in the Theater in the Woods, Charles introduced the new pilots: Andrew Daigneau, Jake Simmons, Natallia Mirashnichenka, Ian Azeredo, Tyler Pugeda, Omar Duran, Jake Robinson, Jordan Sprague, and Tim Riney Jr.
In addition, this year’s Oshkosh ceremony honored flight instructors who taught the students to fly. Generous support from Able Flight sponsors makes all of this possible; Charles superbly guides the mission but can always use more contributors. This can include you if you are so moved.
Branching Out
Five 2024 students went through a new program at Southern Illinois University (SIU). While this was the first year for operations at SIU, Able Flight has 14-years of experience partnering with Purdue University.
SIU students trained in two Vashon Ranger aircraft Able Flight provided with help from their corporate sponsors this year including ForeFlight, Tempest Aero Group, Muncie Aviation, and Cirrus Aircraft.
As nearby images Charles took at AirVenture 2024 shows, Vashon has adapted their LSA for hand controls. See reports for other hand control aircraft including Sky Arrow, Montaer, Flight Design, and others. Dennis Long reported that Aeroprakt offered a fresh hand control option at AirVenture 2024. Some years back powered parachute maker Para-Ski even developed a hand-controlled version — PPCs are usually steered by foot pressure on bars.
All interior images by Charles Stites at Vashon Aircraft’s display at AirVenture 2024.
Vashon and its Ranger LSA are newer to the space but warmly welcomed.
To achieve this, Able Flight sought out the expertise of Clayton Smeltz — a pilot and engineer who is a paraplegic. “Smeltz designed adaptive flight controls for his Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet, observed Charles, “and spearheaded the adaptation of the Vashon Ranger with hand controls, enabling it to be flown by individuals with disabilities.”
Charles noted, “The handles in the center console operate the rudder and the others are for differential braking.”
Interested in a Scholarship?
Applications submitted by December 31, 2024 will be considered for 2025 awards. Interested prospective pilots should apply using this address:
Able Flight
Scholarship Application
91 Oak Leaf Lane
Chapel Hill , NC 27516
- Find full information at the Able Flight website.
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