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Hi Capt Lim,
I am profoundly deaf since I was 5. I am now 36 years old. I have just learned that a deaf can obtain a private license, or even commercial license.
My question is: for pilot career, what kind of job can a deaf pilot do for the corporate world?
I was hoping that I could fly packages to rural airport for FedEX or UPS or something like that. What is that position called?
Happy flying,
Erik
Hi Erik,
While a deaf is not barred from flying, they are restricted to a special pilot*s certificate with this endorsement, "Not Valid for Flights Requiring the Use of Radio?.
In the US, the FAA can grant you a pilot certificate in one of the five categories of aircraft: airplane, rotorcraft, glider, powered-lift, or lighter-than-air.
The FAA FAQ states that a deaf pilot can obtain a student pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, and, on a limited basis, a commercial pilot certificate, for example, agricultural aircraft operations, banner towing operations, or any operation which does not require radio communication. With new interface technology for incockpit receipt of weather information and digital communication, additional pilot certificates may be available to deaf pilots in the future.
So, as you can see, at the moment, you will not be able to pass a full Class I Medical certificate in order to fly commercially with any airlines as a cargo pilot for FedEX, UPS or even in the corporate operations. You may however fly on a limited basis, as a crop duster, some banner towing operations or any operations that does not require you to use a radio transmitter or receiver.
If you fly for FedEx or UPS, you would be known as a cargo pilot but you will still operate under the same license as a normal passenger pilot that require a Class 1 Medical Certificate.
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