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, announced in July 2021, is building the first aircraft designed with foot controls, aiming to reimagine flight possibilities.
The project involves a collaborative effort: EAA Chapter 898 in New Jersey is constructing the Van's RV-10, and University of Arizona engineering students designed the specialized foot control modifications.
Pilot Jessica Cox successfully tested the custom foot controls in a simulator, finding them a perfect fit while also requiring a new learning curve for control inputs.
Future plans include refining the designs, showcasing replicas at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for public feedback, and integrating these innovations into the ongoing 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.