Paraplegic Pilot

A Florida helicopter pilot is proving a challenge in life is no match for his dream. Stewart McQuillen has become and inspiration for thousands. When you think of inspiration you need not look any further than Stewart McQuillen, 47. The former tornado pilot with the Royal Air Force took control of his life and turned it upward after suffering a paralyzing accident. "I basically got crushed in the flight controls of one our jets, so that put an end to my Air Force career," McQuillen says. It did not end his passion for flying. Instead McQuillen, a paraplegic, used a disability to throttle an ability to fly helicopters. Using Aero Leg, a device where thumb input controls pedals, flying becomes second nature and disabilities disappear in the air. "I can fly with anybody up here. They dont know Im a paraplegic. They dont know Im disabled," he says. Its an inspiration for thousands out there who thought flying Rotocraft couldnt be done. Just ask his instructor. "Its one of those things that gives me goose bumps every time I see him climb in and out of helicopter," says Pam Landis, McQuillens instructor. With the help of a simple looking instrument and the U.S. Phoenix Trust Foundation, a project is underway to raise awareness that dreams can be achieved in the sky despite challenges. "This is what were doing now. Were giving them back use of that limb, whether they have movement or no movement," McQuillen says. One man who has propelled himself into a new category of pilots where every day the skys the limit. "Youve given something back to someone else thats worth a million dollars, it really is. We just want to continue that, stay on that wave, get the funding in and get people back into the air," McQuillen says. McQuillen was actually denied the ability to fly by other helicopter companies until he ran into Ocean Helicopters. The company hopes more pilots like McQuillen come to them to let their dreams fly.