Thu, Jul 31, 2008
Handicapped... But Airworthy
by ANN Correspondent Franklin Porath
We're not talking about the handicap you get as if you were
going to shoot a few rounds of golf with Tiger. No, this is
the sort of handicap that gets you a premium parking spot at the
supermarket, and the Experimental Aircraft Association has a
similar policy for parking aircraft at its annual AirVenture
celebration.
In this case, the EAA Handicapped Parking area is that last acre
of the North Forty at the end of the road, just at the aircraft
camping registration. Perhaps you may have noticed a roped off area
that may not always be completely filled with aircraft as are the
rest of the aircraft parking spots near the bus-turnaround area.
Entrance to this exclusive location is the identical to how you get
to (legally) park your car near the mall entrance, with your
government-issued blue auto handicapped pass.
This year, the most prevalent handicap appears to be knee
damage... with at least three aircraft parked in the handicapped
area flown in by gentlemen with total knee replacements or recent
arthroscopic surgery. This location gives them easy access to the
red tram which goes to downtown AirVenture, as well as to the bus
which will take you to the showers or the restaurants.
EAA has a long-standing policy of helping its membership in ways
beyond technical assistance for aviation projects. The Young
Eagles, the trams... even the diaper changing stations indicate the
family orientation typifying its events. And how many have been
trudging the lanes of Wittman Field and had an EAA staff member
stop his golf cart and offer a ride?
It should be pointed out that these so-called "handicapped"
pilots have all been severely vetted by the FAA before returning
them to service... and as a result, their health and fitness is
probably better monitored than the majority of the rest of the
pilot corps.
The EAA obviously recognizes that a good proportion of its
membership, some going back 50 years, are maturing... and this is
one additional way that they can accommodate their needs.
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