Photo by Laurie Goossens Patty Wagstaff congratulates Jessica Cox for being awarded an Able Flight award.

July 30, 2009 - Oshkosh, Wisconsin  - Able Flight Inc., an organization that provides flight-training scholarships for people with physical disabilities, presented three of its recipients with wings to recognize them for attaining their sport pilot certificates.

They included Jessica Cox, who was born without arms; Mal Zackery, paralyzed after being shot in a robbery; and Jeremy Maddox, paralyzed after a motocross accident.

“The pilots who graduated from this program have a great camaraderie,” said Cox, who started flight training in 2005. “Flying was my fear, so for me to even be in an airplane was an accomplishment.”

Sean O’Donnell, who was there in support, was the second scholarship recipient to earn his sport pilot certificate. He has since earned his private ticket and opened a flight school specializing in working with the disabled. O’Donnell said his school is willing to go the extra mile for those with disabilities. “More importantly, we’re thinking about aviation differently,” he said.

Patty Wagstaff, former CNN journalist Miles O’Brien, and Red Bull air racer Michael Goulian presented wings to the new sport pilots. Also present was Able Flight Executive Director Charles Stites.