Cox provides encouragement with
her story of limitations, challenges

Oshkosh, Wisconsin - July 25, 2009 - What’s your excuse for not getting something accomplished? No money? No time? No arms? Yes, no arms. Jessica Cox didn’t use being born without arms as an excuse. Instead she used it as a reason to excel. Arriving with a flight of nine Ercoupes, Cox landed at Wittman Regional Airport late this morning to attend her first EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Cox is the first pilot certificated by the FAA to fly with her feet only, with no use of prosthetic devices or airplane modifications. She passed her sport pilot checkride flying an Ercoupe on October 10, 2008. An Able Flight scholarship recipient and motivational speaker from Tucson, Arizona, Cox will share her inspiring story with AirVenture visitors throughout the week. She will discuss some of the challenges unique to her flight training, things that other pilots take for granted, such as operating the seat belt, putting on headsets, and gaining enough leverage to land safely in crosswinds. “Many people here will want to learn to fly, and maybe by hearing about my challenges, they will know that they can fly, too,” she said. Cox wants potential pilots to know that limitations should not stand in their way of achieving their goals. She will talk with teenaged girls participating in Women Soar You Soar on Monday evening, and make several other presentations throughout the week, with a message that says, “Limitations are things we put on ourselves.” Even with her busy presentation schedule, Cox said she is looking forward to seeing the AirVenture grounds, meeting other pilots, and enjoying more of the friendly, Midwestern hospitality that she’s noticed on her trip to Oshkosh. “I feel part of a family now, and when I talk about my solo, people tend to recall their solos, and we have something to share. My journey of flight training provides encouragement to others through my challenges, and I’m looking forward to opportunities to share that.” Click here to view Cox’s presentation schedule from July 27-August 1.

Jessica Cox taxis an Ercoupe into AeroShell Square Saturday. Photo credit: Chris Miller, EAA Jessica Cox, wearing a T-shirt that states, “Look ma, no hands,” leaves the Ercoupe cockpit after arriving at AeroShell Square Saturday. Born without arms, Cox is an inspirational speaker who flies airplanes, drives car and more using only her feet as others use their hands. Photo credit: Chris Miller, EAA

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