Aviation demands precision, quick reflexes, and a strong physical presence — especially in the cockpit.
But what if you didn’t have arms?
For Jessica Cox, that wasn’t the end of the story — it was the beginning of an extraordinary one.
Meet Jessica Cox, the first woman in history to earn a pilot’s license without arms.
Yes, you read that right — and her story is as inspiring as it is extraordinary.
Born without arms due to a rare congenital condition, Jessica could have easily accepted a life filled with limits.
But she didn’t. Instead, she rewrote the rules — not just of aviation, but of what it means to live boldly, dream big, and overcome fear.
A Childhood Fear That Sparked a Passion
As a child, Jessica was terrified of flying on commercial airplanes.
Like many kids, she dreaded turbulence, heights, and the feeling of being far from solid ground. But unlike many, she would later use that very fear as fuel to conquer the skies.
Years later, in a podcast by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Jessica revealed how her early fear of flying actually pushed her toward flight instruction.
What once made her feel small eventually became her calling — and she was determined to prove to herself and the world that she was capable of soaring, quite literally.
A Three-Year Journey to Take Flight
Jessica’s journey to becoming a pilot wasn’t a walk in the park. It took her three years, three instructors, and training across three U.S. states to achieve what no one had done before. She didn’t just learn how to fly — she learned how to fly using only her feet.
She trained in a special type of aircraft: the ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, a light airplane from the 1940s.
What makes this plane unique is that it was designed without rudder pedals, which are typically operated by a pilot’s feet.
Instead, it uses simplified controls — a perfect match for Jessica, who would be flying with her lower limbs.
To prepare, she had to build serious abdominal strength. Piloting with your feet means using your legs and core in ways most of us never have to think about. Her body had to adapt, and it did.
Becoming a Pilot — and So Much More
In 2008, Jessica made history by becoming the first licensed pilot without arms. Her accomplishment was so groundbreaking that it earned her a spot in the Guinness World Records.
But Jessica didn’t stop there.
She went on to practice taekwondo (she’s a black belt), surf, scuba dive, and even type 25 words per minute with her toes.
Her story has been featured in documentaries, books, and motivational speeches all around the world. In every way, she continues to challenge the world’s assumptions about disability and ability.
And in 2019, something incredible happened.
A fan gifted Jessica her very own ERCO Ercoupe airplane — the same type of plane she learned to fly in. With her new aircraft, she began using her platform to advocate for disability inclusion and empowerment.
The Next Chapter: The Impossible Airplane
Jessica is currently working on an ambitious project called the Impossible Airplane.
It’s a modified version of a Van’s Aircraft RV-10, and when completed, it will be the first plane in history designed to be flown entirely by foot.
Jessica and her team, which includes students from the Oregon Institute of Technology, are customizing every detail of the aircraft — from the controls in the cockpit to the doors that allow for easier access.
One of the biggest challenges?
The plane’s gull-wing doors. For someone without arms, opening these doors while balancing on one leg on the wing is difficult.
She explains this perfectly: “The airplane may be modified for a pilot without arms, but what is the point if I can’t get in?”
It’s a powerful reminder that true accessibility isn’t just about adapting equipment — it’s about rethinking design from the ground up.
This concept applies to everyday life too.
A restaurant with an accessible table isn’t truly accessible if there are stairs at the entrance. A website offering resources for the blind isn’t inclusive if it can’t be read by a screen reader. As Jessica says, “It’s not the disability that’s the issue — it’s the way we design things.”
The Impossible Airplane is expected to be completed this year. When it finally takes off, it won’t just carry a pilot — it will carry a powerful message to the world.
Spreading Inspiration Across the Globe
Jessica’s mission goes beyond aviation.
Over the past decade, she has traveled to 28 countries and mentored over 100 children with disabilities.
She speaks to audiences around the globe, encouraging people of all backgrounds and abilities to live without limits.
At a recent virtual summit for “Leading Ladies of Aerospace,” Jessica shared one of her favorite acronyms: F.E.A.R. — False Evidence Appearing Real.
Fear, she says, often keeps us from stepping into our full potential. But the key is to face it head-on.
She also warns against falling into the trap of S.H.O.E. — Self-limiting beliefs, Habits, Over-complications, and Excuses. These are the invisible barriers we create for ourselves, and they can be just as restricting as any physical obstacle.
Her advice?
Start with courage.
And remember that “impossible” can be reimagined as “I’m possible.”
Disability Does Not Mean Inability
One of Jessica’s most impactful messages is that disability is not as uncommon as we may think.
In fact, she points out, one in five people will experience a disability at some point in their lives. “It is the only minority you can join,” she often says — and it’s a statement that sticks.
Whether you’re navigating life with a disability or simply facing a challenge that feels overwhelming, Jessica’s story reminds us that limits are often only what we believe them to be.
A Legacy in the Making
Jessica Cox is more than a pilot.
She’s a speaker, an athlete, an advocate, and a changemaker.
Her work is paving the way for future generations to dream bigger, design smarter, and live without apologies.
Through the Impossible Airplane and her advocacy efforts, Jessica is changing the face of aviation — and showing us all that when determination takes the driver’s seat, there’s no limit to how far we can go.
As she once said: “If we can be bold in our careers, in our personal lives, it is amazing what we can accomplish.” And Jessica Cox has proven that boldness can quite literally lift us off the ground.
