Getting a Paraplegic into an M20J

[FlyDave]

Hi all,

I have a friend that is paralized from the waist down (for the last 12 years) and I woiuld really like to take him flying in my J.

The problem is getting him into the airplane without hurting him or the airplane. He weighs about 185 lbs and I don't see a good way to get him into the plane. Does anyone have experience getting someone that's paralized and weighs 185 lbs into a mooney?

Thanks,

[RJBrown]

With him blocking the only door? Could be a safety issue. Renting time in a 172 just to give him a ride might be a better answer.

[Jeff_S]

I have a similar issue with my mother who used to love to fly with me, but is getting to the point where mobility is an issue and pretty much needs a wheelchair to go places.  I just can't see how to get her in and out over that wing, and agree that it would be a safety issue in an off-airport landing for her to be the one in control of egress.

What I really need for her is to rent a Cherokee 6 or even get checked out in a Piper Matrix...I'm sure she'd walk up a few stairs to ride in one of those!

[Ned Gravel]

Dave:

I can feel for your situation too.  It may help to appreciate that some folks may not understand how efficient, fast, etc our Mooney's really are.  To them, getting up in the air, looking down at the ground, feeling the little bumps and whirls as the aircraft lifts off and climbs above the airport - are all they seek.   Just flying. 

They may not care if it's a 172 or a Mooney.  Just flying. 

Great gift idea, Dave. 

I would be interested in knowing how this turns out for you and your friend.  Been there myself and had to go the 172 route.  But it was worth the expression on his face.

[KSMooniac]

I have no experience in the matter, but just trying to think it out logically...

I presume he has plenty of dexterity and strength in his upper body.  If so, then perhaps you can put the flaps down completely and have him position his chair close enough that he can transition to sitting on the wing walk (with some assistance) while not loading up the flap.  From there, you could stow the chair in the baggage compartment or put it away in the hangar/FBO and then crawl onto the wing walk from the front (with the door closed initially) and then enter the plane.  He would probably have enough dexterity to "scoot" up to the door and swing his legs in with your assistance and then slide onto the seat.  Exiting would be the reverse of course.

While I was in college, two of my profs used to teach a short course on the side, and I believe they would travel by Mooney to some of them.  One of the profs was in a chair, but I do not know how he managed but somehow he did!

Good luck, and good on ya for trying to take him up!

[georgeb]

I've never had a paraplegic, but I do transport many cancer patients for Graceflight. I've had to get pretty ingenious sometimes with loading and especially unloading some passengers. For what you just described, I'd probably remove the passenger front seat and like was just mentioned, have them sit on the wing and work their way to the door while sitting down. When they get to the doorway, help them into the back seat and then you can get into the front and do your thing. The flight will obviously be without the passenger front seat, but this will make it easier for your friend to enter and exit the AC without having the use of his/her legs. I've actually used a similar method to get some patients out of the plane by having them just lift themselves out of the passenger seat onto the wing while still seated. Then they merely swing around and drag themselves to the edge where they are either assisted to their feet or onto a chair or something. Never did they have to use their legs in getting into or out of the plane. The front seats (at least in my '70 E) are really easy to remove and put back once you're done.

Hope this helps.

George

9488V

[FlyDave]

Thanks everyone!

The Cezzzna 172 would be more difficult as Mark weighs about 190 lbs and getting him up and then back down safely from a 172 would be more difficult than the Mooney.

I think there must be a way to get him in and out of the plane with the front seat in place but I'll look at taking the right seat out as well. I'll post with my results (and pics if anyone is interested).

Have a GREAT weekend and fly safe!!

[georgeb]

Dave,

I don't think it's going to be the getting him in and out that will be the problem, It's allowing you to help him in and out while still giving YOU the opportunity to get in and out of the pilot seat, That's going to be your issue. Unless you plan on just getting into the plane and letting him fend for himself . But seriously though, while it is easier for a person to drag themselves from the right seat on to the wing, by removing the seat it allows you the opportunity to assist them.

Good luck with your flight, and have a great weekend.

George

 

[Piloto]

I have a friend that is also paraplegic from the waist down. He has flown with me several times and is not that difficult to get him in the Mooney. Here is my procedure:

1. Set him on the wheel chair in front of the wing next to the door.

2. Have him put his right arm on your shoulder and his left arm on the wing.

3. Ask him to lift himself up onto the wing.

4. Fold or disassemble wheel chair and put it in the baggage compartment

5. With him seating on the wing get yourself into the cabin and help him to get into the front passenger seat.

Most paraplegic have strong arms to work their way around. The only problem you may have is getting the wheel chair in the baggage compartment. Wheel chair with removable wheels are the easiest to carry.

José

 

[FlyDave]

Quote: Piloto

I have a friend that is also paraplegic from the waist down. He has flown with me several times and is not that difficult to get him in the Mooney. Here is my procedure:

1. Set him on the wheel chair in front of the wing next to the door.

2. Have him put his right arm on your shoulder and his left arm on the wing.

3. Ask him to lift himself up onto the wing.

4. Fold or disassemble wheel chair and put it in the baggage compartment

5. With him seating on the wing get yourself into the cabin and help him to get into the front passenger seat.

Most paraplegic have strong arms to work their way around. The only problem you may have is getting the wheel chair in the baggage compartment. Wheel chair with removable wheels are the easiest to carry.

José

 

[ovation0219]

I am a paraplegic and i fly a Ovation. it is no problem for me to simply transfer from the chair to the wingwalk and slip up the wing. my chair disassembles and fits in the baggage compartment rather easily. sometimes if i am by myself i will disassemble the chair and lay on the wing and when i get to the top of the wing place it in the rear seat.

[FlyDave]

Quote: ovation0219

I am a paraplegic and i fly a Ovation. it is no problem for me to simply transfer from the chair to the wingwalk and slip up the wing. my chair disassembles and fits in the baggage compartment rather easily. sometimes if i am by myself i will disassemble the chair and lay on the wing and when i get to the top of the wing place it in the rear seat.

[ovation0219]

Mooving across the flap is no problem. i put my weight on the wing and slide across, the flap can hold some weight just not a lot. I usually use  my right leg as a pivot point by placing it on the wing and swinging across the flap onto the wing walk. I am ot aware of anyone making a hand control. I am aware of two, mine and one in a bravo that have been custom built and have a field approval. I am working on getting some help to STC one.

[Mcstealth]

Quote: ovation0219

I am a paraplegic and i fly a Ovation. it is no problem for me to simply transfer from the chair to the wingwalk and slip up the wing. my chair disassembles and fits in the baggage compartment rather easily. sometimes if i am by myself i will disassemble the chair and lay on the wing and when i get to the top of the wing place it in the rear seat.

[FlyDave]

Quote: ovation0219

Mooving across the flap is no problem. i put my weight on the wing and slide across, the flap can hold some weight just not a lot. I usually use  my right leg as a pivot point by placing it on the wing and swinging across the flap onto the wing walk. I am ot aware of anyone making a hand control. I am aware of two, mine and one in a bravo that have been custom built and have a field approval. I am working on getting some help to STC one.

[Amelia]

I've flown several wheelchair-bound pax for Angel Flight, several walker-dependent very elderly and arthritic people, and one patient with a freshly-casted broken leg. I expect your paraplegic friend is in much better shape than most people from the waist up. Anyhow,  I'd put the flaps all the way down. This makes the trailing edge of the wing easy to sit on. Then help the passenger, if he wants the help, to transfer his weight from the chair to the the wing walk and encourage him to scoot backwards until he's abeam the open door. Show him where the hand-hold strap is, and what bits he can safely put his weight on to move aboard. Then tell him to sit tight right there on the wing while you fold the chair if you're bringing it along, stow it, climb up and squeeze behind the passenger into the right seat.  Slide the right seat all the way back, put the seat belt buckles where they're easily reached, move across to the left seat, buckle in to get your seatbelt out of the way, then help the passenger move into the seat. If necessary, reach across your passenger to help tuck his legs in.

If you have a great line crew, don't hesitate to ask them for a hand. Let your passenger direct them as he will know very well what is helpful. Then you get in, get out of the way, and let the passenger and the line guys work it out.

Getting out is just the same thing in reverse. Remind the passenger what he can put his weight on, and let him wiggle his backside out onto the wing, swivel around, and ooch his way down the wing (flaps 40deg down) and let his legs dangle over the trailing edge. You get out, squeeze by him, get his wheelchair out and assemble it, and then help him off the wing into the waiting and brake-engaged chair.

As for the safety factor, I don't really see the problem. Getting in and out of a Mooney with speed and grace is hard for many able-bodied folk- and yet we take them along without hesitation.  We're not all gymnasts, but we manage.

 

 

[N513ZM]

my wife has MS and is still ambulatory but needs the aid of a "rollator" or walker. She's tall to boot.. (6'). She does pretty much what Ovation0219 describes for access to my Ovation.