Here's a question for you other instructors out there.

This weekend, we had a father and son come out that want to learn to fly. Someone had given them a Kyosho Pitts S2C for Christmas that they wanted to learn on. But thats an entirely different discussion.

Here's the rub - both are totally deaf. They communicate via sign language, and can read lips.

Instruction requires both Instructor and Student to be watching the plane at all times, but also requires constant communcation. The way we accomplished it was to have another club member stand behind the student and place his hands on the students shoulders. Pushing gently to either side meant apply aileron in that direction. Pushing or pulling forward or back meant push or pull the elevator forward or back. Rotating the shoulders left or right meant using right or left rudder. We actually had several successful flights with both father and son on one of the club trainers.

Has anyone else ever tried teaching a student that was totally deaf? If so, how did you accomplish it?

Thanks,
Brad