The question arises occasionally about how to aid people with physical problems in learning to fly RC models.

One device (not exactly simple or cheap) was developed in appx 1968 by Ed Henry, called the "Fly Seat." While it was not really developed as an aid to the handicapped... it can serve that purpose!

I can't find the thread that was started earlier where I mentioned this as a potential aid for someone who has Parkinson's disease. (but I did not stop looking... for the drawing... I knew I had it.) There was a complete construction article on it in one of the model magazines. (I'm still looking for that...)

You will note... it has the basic layout of the pilot's seat of a Piper Cub. The larger movements required would aid a person with problems in fine motor control... but no problems with larger movements. The setup could be adapted for other ways to assist different handicaps.

(Photo scanned from "The World of Model Aircraft" Guy R. Williams, 1973 SSBN 399-11087-9)

I've never seen this, but this is very interesting. I can fully see the potential of this unit helping disabled individuals enjoy this hobby.

DTB

I help a kid fly who had some type of bone cancer, it was really neat, because he always wanted to make something move because he is a 9yo who cannot walk! It was alot of fun to watch him fly it....

The only problem was not being able to got recover a plane after a hard landing

Here are some threads about it:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_83.../anchor/tm.htm

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_58.../anchor/tm.htm