Some facts about deaf pilots:

1. The first one was Cal Rodgers away back in 1911. He was the first pilot,
hearing or deaf, to transit the United States, in a Wright Model B called
the Vin Fiz.

2. At any one time, approximately 150 to 175 active pilots hold U.S.
certificates bearing the limitation "Not valid for flights requiring the use
of radio." Australia also allows deaf private pilots, subject to its more
stringent limitations on no-radio flight. All European countries forbid deaf
private pilots, though several allow them to fly ULM aircraft (Ultralight
Motorized, comparable to the U.S. Sport Pilot rating).

3. Some deaf pilots hold commercial certificates. At least one holds an
instrument rating. (He uses a cochlear implant and communicates with ATC.)

4. The NTSB has never blamed an accident on a deaf pilot's lack of hearing.

There *are* certain problems involved with being a deaf pilot. One is that
since 9/11 they have not been able to fly through an ADIZ because of their
inability to communicate with ATC. The Deaf Pilots Association has wanted
to fly in loose formation to the Bahamas and back, but it can't do this
without a hearing pilot along,

Another is that they can't transit Class B airspace, as Toks Desalu
mentioned. For instance, deaf pilots can't use the VFR routes across
O'Hare's Class B but have to go around. That's not generally a major
problem, though.

Although deaf pilots can and do use Class D and Class C airports with light
signals, often a tower will deny permission owing to heavy traffic. Some
towers refuse permission at all, even during light-traffic periods.

Some FBOs refuse to rent aircraft to deaf pilots, although doing so is a
clear violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Fortunately this
doesn't happen often, and usually gentle re-education solves the problem.)

Henry