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Video: Two paralyzed pilots take flight

By General Aviation News Staff · July 2, 2022 ·

A new video on YouTube posted by Justin Falls depicts a recent flight with Johnny Ragland, a sport pilot who also happens to be paraplegic. The two men both earned their sport pilot tickets through scholarships with Able Flight.

In the almost seven-minute video, the pair fly to the mountains and over Linville Falls in North Carolina.

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Comments

  1. Susan L. says

    July 5, 2022 at 6:19 pm

    What an uplifting, positively inspiring story – to be continued!

    I will share this with my brother, who had a stroke Sept. 2020, with residual paralysis on his whole left side. He made some progress, and has been frustrated a full recovery was not in sight. Then, this past spring, he got COVID from a repairman in his home. In addition to the stroke, he has COPD. With all going on, it took its toll. We almost lost him. After 1 month in the hospital, and 2 weeks in rehab, he is home. As you can imagine, his muscles atrophied, and in general, he lost most of what he had gained. He is so depressed not to be as independent as he was, no matter what we say. This week he starts up his at home therapy regimen again. I hope he watches you guys over and over, and his hope and determination are restored. In the hospital, my brother Johnny, who got down to 130lbs., was transferred to ICU and family was asked permission if he could be put on a vent. That’s how close it was. I don’t think he’s wrapped his head around that yet.

    Thank you for this video, just in time. God bless you both, Able Flight, and all those who believe in and support you!

  2. Justin Falls says

    July 2, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    Thank you for sharing! I hope this inspires current and future aviators to keep pursuing their dreams!

    • Roland says

      July 5, 2022 at 11:11 am

      I love this video. Well done gentlemen!

  3. Sebastien H says

    July 2, 2022 at 9:40 am

    Great video! Thanks for sharing this

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