Building the Impossible: The RV-10 and The Impossible Airplane
In the pursuit of breaking boundaries and redefining possibilities, the team at Rightfooted Foundation International (RFI) set out to create something unprecedented: The Impossible Airplane, the first aircraft designed for a pilot to fly without arms. Our mission has always been to demonstrate that “disability doesn’t mean inability,” and we knew that this project would need an exceptional airframe to serve as its foundation. That’s when we turned to Van’s Aircraft.
A Meeting of Minds: Vision Takes Flight
On a crisp November 16, 2020, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we sat in a spacious hangar near Portland, Oregon, to share our vision with Van’s Aircraft. Jessica Cox, RFI’s Executive Director and the future pilot of The Impossible Airplane, told her story of living without arms and thriving as a motivational speaker, athlete, and certified pilot.
Our discussion took place in a socially distanced circle, but the idea we proposed was expansive: to build an airplane that would serve as a symbol of inspiration, proving that limits are only what we make of them. We wanted to create the first aircraft designed for a pilot who would fly it entirely with their feet, showing the world that “disability doesn’t mean inability.” Van’s listened, and they believed in the dream.
Why the RV-10?
Jessica had the chance to sit in nearly every RV model produced by Van’s Aircraft at the time, including the RV-8, -9A, -10, -12, and -14A. After flying in the RV-10, we knew it was the right choice for The Impossible Airplane. The RV-10’s solid reputation made it the ideal airframe to carry our vision forward. With more than 1,000 RV-10s built by amateur builders worldwide, we knew this aircraft had the reliability and proven performance we needed.
The RV-10’s spacious cabin, capable of accommodating four full-sized adults, and its impressive stability, performance, and handling qualities, made it an excellent foundation for our modifications. Crucially, the freedoms afforded to builders of Experimental Amateur-Built (EAB) aircraft allowed us to make the unique modifications necessary for Jessica to fly the aircraft entirely with her feet.
The Power of Partnership
As the largest manufacturer in the experimental kit plane market, Van’s Aircraft has been a respected leader for decades. However, their contribution to our project went beyond just providing us with the foundation to build on. From the outset, the team at Van’s, including founder Dick VanGrunsven, Greg Hughes, Rian Johnson, Kelsey Hickman, and many more, were invaluable in answering questions and providing guidance.
It’s worth noting that while Van’s Aircraft has been a vital champion of our project, the specific modifications for The Impossible Airplane have been tailored by our team’s unique expertise and resources. We’ve collaborated with specialists from across the aviation industry to develop the custom adaptations necessary for Jessica to fly the aircraft using only her feet. We are sure Dick and Rian would have loved the intellectual challenge of refining the flight control design, but their work at the company takes priority.
Looking Forward: Join Us in Reaching New Heights
Our journey with The Impossible Airplane is far from over. Thanks to the support and belief of partners like Van’s Aircraft, we are well on our way to making this groundbreaking aircraft a reality. But there is still work to be done, and we are actively seeking additional partners to join us in pushing the boundaries of human potential.
If you or your company are interested in supporting The Impossible Airplane or donating to support our presence at some of the country's largest airshows, we would love to hear from you. Individual donations can be made with the button at the top of this page, and we would be happy to share sponsorship options with those who are interested with an email to patrick [at] rightfooted [dot] org. Together, we can continue to show the world that limits are meant to be shattered.
