Physically handicapped people can now apply to become professional pilots in France, the French government ruled in December. As commercial pilots they would effectively be limited to utility flying, however.
Paraplegic pilots have been able to obtain their private pilot's licence in France since 1976 and from 1985 have been allowed to carry one passenger, but some want to turn this leisure activity into a profession, says Dominique Bussereau, secretary of state for transport.
The civil aviation medical council has to deliver medical certificates confirming the applicants' physical aptitude. The certificate mustbe renewed every six months. Bussereau says that a handicapped person with a professional pilot's licence will be allowed to pilot a single-engined aircraft alone on any number of missions ranging from carrying freight to spraying crops, towing advertising banners and performing aerobatics. But they cannot fly under instrument flight rules or transport paying passengers or obtain a multi-engine qualification.
All aircraft on which they train or fly must be technically adapted to their handicap, and the adaptations must be identical in any aircraft a specific individual flies. Before receiving the medical certificate the applicant must clock up a minimum 250 flight hours, including 150h as captain. Pilots must also show that the handicap will not prevent them from flying the aircraft safely and demonstrate they can evacuate the cockpit and undertake pre-flight checks.
Source: Flight International
