Local Group Building Custom Plane For Armless Pilot

By Stephanie Faughnan

OCEAN COUNTY – A group of local aviation enthusiasts has undertaken an ambitious project to build a customized aircraft for Jessica Cox, an Arizona-based pilot born without arms.

The fifteen volunteers involved in this endeavor are all members of EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 898 out of the Ocean County

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Airport. Many are also actively engaged in the Ocean Air Support Squadron (OASS), a volunteer group dedicated to conducting sunset patrols along the coastline throughout the summer.

More than a decade ago, Guinness World Records recognized Cox as the first woman to fly an airplane with her feet. Cox has consistently proven that even the sky poses no limits for her.

At first glance, it may appear counterintuitive that Cox would choose to fly a 1940s vintage ERCO Ercoupe airplane. However, Cox and her husband, Patrick Chamberlain, credit the ERCO developers with an early iteration of technology that continues to facilitate flying for individuals with disabilities.

The beginning of Cox’s association with the Ocean County group unfolded when she encountered others who owned the same type of aircraft that she initially piloted.

Gene Bunt serves as a member of EAA Chapter 898 and is also one of the OASS pilots. As luck would have it, Bunt’s additional position as the director of the Ercoupe Owners Club proved advantageous when Cox found herself in need of local assistance.

“I have known Jessica for many years through the Ercoupe Owners Club,” acknowledged Bunt. “She attends many of our events and conferences.”

On March 18, 2022, Cox and her hus - band flew to the east coast and safely touched down at JFK International Airport. The couple’s usual sense of joy after a successful flight was short-lived when a jet turned sharply next to them, nearly flipping their plane.

“It might not have been an intentional act, but it was definitely a negligent one,” Chamberlain shared. “Jessica’s plane looked like a New York City taxicab. It’s bright yellow, white and has black checker marks. There’s no way they didn’t see it.”

Cox and Chamberlain had fortunately left the plane for a quick break. However, they came back to huge concerns regarding harm to the aircraft. Given his familiarity with their type of plane and their location, Bunt seemed like the obvious person to reach out to for help.

The call achieved an immediate response as if a family member was in need. Bunt arranged for a mechanic who worked on his personal aircraft to come out to check the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, the interaction over the course of a few days led to some interesting conversations.

Cox and Chamberlain told Bunt about a project they were considering even before the incident that brought them together. The couple had decided to explore alternatives for replacing the aircraft. The 1946 ERCO was not really designed to last as long as it had, and there were other issues.

“Jessica has to sit in basically a crunch,” said Chamberlain. “So, she’s sitting crisscross with one foot on the yoke and the other foot on the throttle. She’s very flexible and very adept at using her legs. But she has a thirty-minute time limit and then needs to be on the ground.”

Amidst the pandemic, the couple took the initiative to approach a kit manufacturer with what they deemed a “crazy idea.” They inquired whether Van’s Aircraft would be open to either modifying one of their existing planes or donating one. The rest is history, with the manufacturer agreeing to supply the kit for an aircraft that would better accommodate Cox.

Building a new plane required more than just gathering the necessary parts. Finding someone with the expertise to put them together was also a challenge.

Bunt’s unexpected encounter with the couple proved to be quite serendipitous when he mentioned the possibility of connecting them with someone with the exact experience they needed.

“Gene told us he might know a guy and connected us with Bob,” Chamberlain said. “One of the first planes Bob built with his son was the RV-10, which is the same one we wanted to build and modify.”

Dr. Robert Newman began building planes in 1980. After retiring as the Superintendent of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School District, he found more time to dedicate to his craft. Newman eagerly embraced the proposed project, which will mark his involvement in successfully completing a remarkable total of eleven planes.

Cox admitted that she was elated when Newman and his crew of volunteers decided to take on the daunting task of building her plane. The group started last August with constructing the first ever designed “for foot” flight.

A few weeks ago, EEA Chapter 898 members organized a barbeque in one of the airport hangars so everyone could meet Cox. Joining the celebration was her husband and Cox’s faithful service pup, Chewy.

Several assembled parts of the aircraft were proudly showcased within the hangar gathering. Newman drew attention to a pair of elevators, which will be located at the back of the plane. Additionally, sections of the tail had already been completed, while the preassembled wings remained stored in a crate.

A team of engineering students from the University of Arizona has weighed in with some suggestions for modifications to the standard aircraft. They’ve been working on the schematic design for the plane’s controls. The team has come up with concepts that still need to be polished.

An essential goal of this particular aircraft design is to document favorable and unfavorable ideas thoroughly. The intention behind this is to avoid the necessity for other pilots with disabilities to start the design process anew.

“We expect we’ll be done building the plane in two more years,” shared Newman. “The fuselage is due in August, and by fall, we’ll start having what looks like an airplane. Right now, it’s all in pieces.”

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JROTC

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Continued From Page 1 behalf of her unit. While acknowledging that the initial groundwork for the mission had been laid by her predecessor, Commander Keith Brown, Savannah said she was fully prepared to shoulder the responsibility should anything go wrong.

“The Wall of Valor wasn’t taken care of as much as it could have been,” Savannah shared. “We were especially concerned with the veterans on the wall who died during a war. I feel it’s an honor for them and their families that we show them and their families that we do appreciate them, and all they’ve done for this country.”

Staff Sergeant Giovanni Holgun-Ruiz and Officer in Charge Jayden Yurick coordinated most of the operation associated with uplifting the Hero Wall outside Walmart’s Customer Service center.

“I worked with some of the other cadets to come up with an idea to expand upon the wall,” said Giovanni. “We built a plan, and we set everything up, and then we put it all together and hung everything on the wall.”

Giovanni revealed that a critical part of the mission involved procuring veteran photographs. A dedicated dropbox was set up at the Walmart store to facilitate this. The cadets complemented the initiative by devising a user-friendly Google form for photo submissions.

Approximately 50 photographs were ultimately encased in frames, and the cadets showcased their efforts by attaching their signatures to a note of gratitude. The result was a breathtaking montage of courage, with some honored as heroes from as far back as World War I.

With plans to join the Coast Guard after graduating this year, Colonel Keith Brown is now the unit’s retired commander. Keith credited those under his command at the time for coming up with the ideas to make the mission successful.

“I oversaw everything and made sure it was nice and neat and tidy,” Keith shared. “They’re the ones who did all the work.”

All cadets who participated in the dedication service showed up dressed in crisply pressed uniforms and exuded a dignified presence. Three separated from the ranks and moved to ceremoniously hoist the American flag with a demonstration of reverence and precision.

“The old flag that is being hoisted represents our past and present soldiers of the nation,” Jayden said during the ceremony. “The new flag represents America’s future and our military’s protection. We have a memorial to honor the sacrifices made by our veterans to provide our protection.”

Following the flag-raising, the cadets and spectators moved inside as the unit’s retired commander offered a few words.

Keith thanked Walmart for allowing the cadets to expand the wall and credited the cadets who led the mission. He concluded his remarks by paying special honor to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and asked for a moment of silence.

Of particular note, Cadet Juliana Gonzalez served as the unit’s photographer and took some amazing pictures of the event.

Will Ferguson, Walmart Store Manager, and Chris Igoe, the Operations Coach, said the Wall of Honor originated 13 years ago when the store first opened. Ferguson and Igoe were overjoyed when the JROTC group decided to breathe new life into the cherished wall, adding a fresh layer of significance.

To express gratitude for the cadets’ invaluable contribution, Walmart graciously donated five tickets to an extraordinary presentation planned in Philadelphia. The event features the Jocko Willink, an esteemed American author, podcaster, and retired United States Navy officer. This special opportunity served as a token of appreciation and offered the cadets a chance to gain inspiration and insights from a distinguished figure in their field.

Central Regional High School’s Major Steven Mares, Senior Army JROTC In-

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structor, watched the cadets run their operations from the sidelines. His eyes gleamed with pride at how each of them handled themselves. Mares said 120 students are involved in the program throughout the school district.

Meanwhile, the unit’s retired commander wasn’t the only cadet who planned to pursue a military career. The new commander has another year in high school but is already brimming with determination and ambition.

Savannah expressed her plan to embark on a path to becoming a doctor while also pursuing a career in the United States Navy. She also said her grandfather’s Navy service strongly influenced her aspirations.

From the sidelines, Bill Dondero, the Commander of VFW Post 9503, observed the cadets’ performance with a sense of satisfaction. Having recently met with the unit’s leadership, he expressed his delight in rekindling the relationship between the two groups. Unfortunately, the adverse circumstances of the COVID pandemic forced a halt in their gatherings, depriving students of valuable interactions.

Through their mission, the JROTC cadets from Central Regional High School didn’t merely uplift a wall - they left a mark on the community that will serve as a reminder for those who fought for the freedom of all Americans.