They said it couldn’t be done. So She Built It Anyway.
Born to Fly — Her Way
As a child, Jessica Cox dreamed of being Superwoman—soaring high above the doubts and limitations others placed on her. Born without arms, she imagined a world where she could rise above expectations, quite literally. That dream took real-world shape in 2008 when Jessica made aviation history by becoming the first licensed armless pilot, flying an Ercoupe using only her feet.
But Jessica didn’t stop there.
In 2020, she launched an even bolder vision: The Impossible Airplane—a one-of-a-kind aircraft designed from the ground up to be flown by a pilot without arms. Not modified. Not adapted. Fully reimagined.
It’s more than just a plane. It’s the next chapter in a lifelong mission to prove that limitations are only as real as we let them be.
Why Reinvent the Airplane?
Jessica’s journey began in an Ercoupe—a unique aircraft that only requires two limbs to operate, making it the ideal starting point for a pilot without arms. But even that aircraft came with limits.
To fly, Jessica must sit in a tightly crunched position, restricting her to short flights. The Ercoupe’s slow speed adds another challenge: she can’t travel long distances without help. So if she wants to fly across the country to meet kids with disabilities and show them what’s possible, someone else has to ferry the plane for her—which, in her words, “kind of defeats the purpose.”
Most adaptive pilots solve this problem with custom prosthetics or modified controls. Jessica chose a different path.
After years of research, she found the answer: a fully customized RV-10, a faster, more powerful aircraft with the potential to be re-engineered around her unique flying style. Backed by a passionate team of volunteer builders and support from across the aviation world, the vision is taking shape. If all goes well, The Impossible Airplane will take its first flight by the end of 2025.
This isn’t just about reaching more places—it’s about taking full command of the journey.
Proving What’s Possible
In the world of aviation, experimental aircraft allow pilots and engineers to think beyond the conventional—to create custom solutions for unique needs. That freedom is exactly what makes The Impossible Airplane possible.
While some pilots have adapted aircraft with prosthetics or special controls, many—including experienced aviators—still assume that flying with certain disabilities just isn’t an option. Jessica’s airplane is here to change that mindset.
By designing a plane around how she flies—with her feet, not her hands—Jessica is doing more than building a custom aircraft. She’s challenging assumptions that have gone untested for far too long.
And in a world where people with disabilities face daily barriers—from education and employment to transportation and representation—Jessica’s mission is far more than symbolic. It’s a powerful, high-speed, high-altitude reminder that innovation thrives when we stop asking, “Can we?” and start asking, “How can we?”
She’s not just moving the needle—she’s doing it at 200 mph at 15,000 feet.
A New Generation at the Controls
Jessica may be building an airplane that fits her unique way of flying—but the impact reaches far beyond the cockpit.
She’s not just inspiring future pilots with disabilities. She’s igniting the dreams of anyone who’s ever wondered if they belong in the skies. Her story speaks to future aviators of all kinds—reminding them that it’s not about how you fly, but that you dare to take off.
And in parts of the world where people with disabilities are often seen as incapable, Jessica’s arrival in the pilot’s seat sends a clear message:
Disability does not mean inability.
But her message goes even further. It’s not just about personal achievement—it’s about how we design our world.
By rethinking how an airplane is built, Jessica is proving that engineering with more people in mind doesn’t limit innovation—it fuels it.
When we create solutions that work for more people, we create a world where everyone can go further.
That’s what true freedom looks like.
Help This Mission Take Off
Jessica’s dream to fly an airplane built just for her is no longer a question of if. It’s a question of when—and who will help make it happen.
Right now, we’re in the final stretch. As of writing, we need to raise $70,000 to complete the remaining components and paint The Impossible Airplane. Every dollar brings us one step closer to seeing this aircraft take flight—and showing the world what’s possible when we dare to imagine a different way forward.
If Jessica’s story moved you—if it reminded you that innovation is for everyone, and that courage can take us higher than any altitude—click the donate button at the top of this page.
Want to make an even bigger impact? Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available. Reach out to our team to learn how your organization can be part of aviation history.
Together, we can help her take the controls.
Together, we can launch something the world has never seen before.
