He had earlier received approval from the FAA to seek an instrument rating, which had previously been unattainable for the deaf because it requires two-way radio communication with air traffic controllers.

Hopson flies with an instrument-rated pilot, who relays the orders from the controller to Hopson with hand signals and symbols written on a dry erase board.

Hopson, deaf from birth, has a hearing aid but can only hear sounds. He cannot distinguish what they are and cannot understand language. He reads lips.

When flying, he wears a headset so he can recognize when a controller is talking. Then Hopson stops talking so his co-pilot can hear the commands.

Of the more than 600,000 active pilots, only a few hundred are deaf. They are licensed to fly under visual flight rules, only during daylight in clear conditions.

Hopson, a former banker and stockbroker who is an inspirational speaker and author, has a private and commercial license. He would like to become a licensed instructor.

By Karen Farkas
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