First Solo (Part Two)

[Deaf Pilot 1]

I wanted to add something if you all dont mind. Turns out that the news heard about this deaf pilot doing his first solo, and decided to come out there and do a story on it... well that deaf pilot was me :-lol So here are some pictures of the newscast:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/141640.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/141641.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/141642.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/141643.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/141644.jpghttp://forums.avsim.net/user_files/141645.jpg

[Jeff Nielsen 1,385]

So cool :-)

[Guest]

congrats, man. looks like a blast. Sorry to see all the red tape you have to go through. I have really bad eyesight and hope it doesn't get in the way of my future dreams

[Deaf Pilot 1]

Thanks Jeff and Alex!Alex, if there's a way... find it :) I'm going broke trying to get my license and it's been a challenge, having to work for it financially AND physically/red-tape... but it's been a dream for me to get this far. I found a way, and I sincerely hope you find a way for you too.Okay guys, I decided to put the news story into text for you all... I wont be able to get it onto PC because I don't have a tuner installed on my PC, but at least I hope you will enjoy reading what was said:-------------------------------------------------------Stephani (News Anchor): It's generally acknowledged that all of us operate at a disadvantage in some area and that brings up the story of a young man who, although, is hearing impaired, has the ambition to soar like an eagle or at least like a man at the controls of his own plane. Jack Noldon now with the story of Todd Barker.Jack: This is Todd Barker doing his pre-flight inspection. He's an old hand at this now and is preparing for his first solo flight, scheduled for today. But for now there is one more takeoff with his flight instructor. If you look closely you can see Barker adjust his hearing aid before putting on those earphones. Being hard of hearing makes him somewhat of a unique student pilot. Of course, watching him at ground level, his mother is nearly as confident as he is.Todd's Mother: I'm very proud of Todd. If he wants to do it, he'll do it. He will do whatever it takes to get it done. Jack: That's exactly what Todd Barker did today. Check out this touch and go. There's no instructor in the copilot's seat. That's Todd Barker, pilot, on his first solo flight. For him and his family, it doesn't get any better than that. And while there's an old saying about pilots flying by the seat of their pants, actually tradition calls for cutting off the shirt of a pilot who's just earned his wings. But for this member of the Barker family, flying is part of the bloodline.Todd's Father: I was a pilot, his grandfather before him was a pilot, and he has an older brother who also is a pilot, and he's just so excited about flying, and to see him accomplish this, especially since he's deaf... and they originally thought there might be some challenges for him flying as a deaf person. He's overcome that, FAA has approved him, and he just went out there today and proved he's a champion.Jack: And this newly minted champion is modestly low key about what truly must have been a thrilling experience for him. Todd Barker: All my life I've dreamed about getting my pilot's license and today was the first step to getting that.Jack: In Fresno, Jack Noldon, KSEE 24 news.Stephani: Now, there are a few restrictions on Todd Barker; Legally he is not allowed to fly into radio controlled airspace but he says he keeps in touch with the tower when he is airborne, letting other pilots know where he is and what he's doing so they can avoid him.--------------------------------------------------------Not too bad... of course they had to broadcast the worst landing of all my landings that day... typical :-lol

[Jeff Nielsen 1,385]

Great story. :-)

[Dillon 2,197]

One heck of a story Todd... How many pilots make the news on their first solo??? :-)