Meet Jessica Cox, The World’s First Pilot Without Arms (PHOTOS) – How Africa News

Jessica Cox is the first armless pilot in the world, as well as the first holder of a black armless belt at the American Taekwondo Association. She was born in Arizona without arms due to a rare congenital anomaly.

Indeed, Jessica Cox has an impressive number of hobbies: amateur pilot, she plays piano, is taekwondo black belt and does riding and surfing. She also knows how to swim, go diving and drive a car …

Very independent, this resident of Tucson, Arizona, has never left being born without arms to prevent her from leading an active life. She graduated from the University of Arizona since 2005 in Psychology and Communication.

Cox flew in a single-engine aircraft for the first time via Wright Flight in 2005. She obtained her pilot’s license on October 10, 2008, after three years of training. She is qualified to fly a light sport aircraft at an altitude of 10,000 feet. She received this training through an Able Flight Scholarship and solo under the guidance of Parrish Traweek.

Speaking at a vocational conference in Vancouver, Jessica said she managed to turn her disability to her advantage, overcoming her biggest fears. She explained to a stunned audience that she was driving this engine with the help of … her feet!

At the age of 10, Cox began taekwondo training at a school in his hometown, Sierra Vista. At 14, she won her first black belt. During his studies at the University of Arizona, Cox resumed his taekwondo training at a club of the American Taekwondo Association on campus. In an effort to help future students without the use of arms, the instructors created a comprehensive training program by modifying the standard equipment of the association.

Cox has since continued to win second and third Dan Black Belts. She also earned the title of Arizona State Champion in 2014.

In March 2011, she was even received by Pope Benedict XVI, who congratulated her for entering the Guinness World Records after obtaining her pilot’s license.

His sport pilot certificate is for an ERCO 415-C Ercoupe that the Federal Aviation Administration issued for only a light sports aircraft. Designed in the 1940s, the Ercoupe was built without executive pedals. The rudder is interconnected with the fins through the yoke. This unique design allows Cox to control the aircraft with one foot controlling the yoke while the other foot controls the accelerator.

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