Jessica Cox

As the first licensed armless pilot, Jessica Cox earned her pilot’s certificate on October 10, 2008, qualifying her to fly a light-sport aircraft up to 10,000 feet. She uniquely pilots an ERCO 415-C Ercoupe, an aircraft designed without rudder pedals, allowing her to expertly control it with her feet. This achievement followed three years of dedicated flight training, initiated after her first single-engine airplane flight in 2004 through Wright Flight. Demonstrating exceptional adaptability, she consistently performs tasks such as driving an unmodified car and typing at 25 words per minute.

In 2020, she commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act by flying with Senator Tom Harkin, underscoring her ongoing commitment to disability rights and advocacy. Her work consistently focuses on helping individuals and organizations cultivate resilience and adopt a growth-oriented mindset in the face of change.