Simulated Testing Underway for World's first Foot-Controlled Airplane

Members of an EAA chapter and a team of engineering students are custom modifying a Van’s RV-10 as a model for pilots with disabilities.

Jessica Cox

Friday, May 12, 2023 at 06:34 PM ET

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The modifications will eventually be installed in the Impossible Airplane simulator, which has been beautifully restored by Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. [Courtesy: Jessica Cox]

Key Takeaways:

The "Impossible Airplane" project is underway to build the first aircraft designed with foot controls, using a Van's Aircraft RV-10 as the base.
The construction is a collaborative effort involving EAA Chapter 898 in New Jersey and University of Arizona engineering students who designed the specialized foot control modifications.
The author experienced a profound sense of connection and a "perfect fit" while test-flying the foot controls in a simulator, despite an initial learning curve for new control axes.
The project plans to refine designs, create replicas for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, and solicit public feedback to further integrate modifications into the aircraft build.

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I love the quote: “Anything worth having is worth waiting for!” This wisdom has proven to be true in our journey to build the Impossible Airplane. Announced to the world in July 2021, the project has stirred excitement, especially for its unprecedented feature—the first airplane designed with foot controls.

A look at the tail cone of the Impossible Airplane being built in Toms River, New Jersey, by Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) Chapter 898. [Courtesy: Jessica Cox]

The response from Van’s Air Force was most inspiring, filled with incredible ideas and enthusiasm. We were ecstatic when an Experimental Aviation Association (EAA) chapter out of Toms River, New Jersey, led by Robert Newman, volunteered to take on the build. By June 2022, we received the first shipment of the Van’s Aircraft RV-10 tail, followed by the wings in October. Meeting the EAA Chapter 898 building team was a moment of profound gratitude.