What is next?

Now that I have the medical allowance the next step is to convert a glider so that I can fly it. Since I am only 1.11m tall I can not reach the pedals which are used to control the rudder attached to the vertical stabilizer (fin). This rudder is used to control the yaw movement of the plane. The glider to be modified is an ASK-21. It will be converted so that the fin rudder can be operated by my left hand. Another modification is that the speed brakes need the capability to be fixed at different positions so that I can operate the rudder and at the same time the speed brakes keep active at the selected position.

So that I can fly like any other member of the local club without any additional costs, we are trying to get external funding. Currently we have entered applications to several organizations who could fund the needed conversion costs of around €8,000.-

In case we are not successful with this approach the club is thinking about the possibility to get a sponsor to help finance the conversion.

If you are interested in sponsoring please contact me via hgaedke@googlemail.com. You can place the logo of your company at the tail of one the planes.

I also need some adaptations to the seating. For this we are considering a seat elevation build of fiber glass that is placed over the normal seat so that I have an optimal position to reach the instruments and to have optimal visibility outside.

As you can read there is still a lot to be done until I can start my regular flight training. In the meantime I am participating at the theory classes at the club. The disciplines that are thought and that are part of the examinations to get the glider pilot license are: Meteorology, aviation law, human capabilities, navigation, behavior in special circumstances, aerodynamics/aviation technology and air traffic communications.