Able Flight honors largest class to date at EAA AirVenture

This was the first year Able Flight students trained at Southern Illinois University and the 14th year it partnered with Purdue University. Aspiring pilots in the program fly in specially adapted Sky Arrows and Vashon Ranger aircraft.

To achieve this, Able Flight sought out the expertise of Clayton Smeltz—a pilot and engineer who is a paraplegic. Smeltz designed adaptive flight controls for his Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet and spearheaded the adaptation of the Vashon Ranger with hand controls, enabling it to be flown by individuals with disabilities.

Smeltz attended the wing pinning ceremony and jokingly remarked that he’s not a great engineer or a great pilot so he was very thankful his innovation was working as well as it is. He mentioned that flying was a blessing for someone with disabilities and expressed his gratitude for being part of the Able Flight community.