On the Road - Jacksonville, Florida

After experiencing approximately forty years of walking in front of you in order to warn of curbs, doors, traffic, etc, it now appears you have had the exilerating experience of putting all those obstacles “below” you by being in full control of the turbo prop jet. You never cease to amaze me.

Dale:

I found this article after a buddy of mine who flew you around in Michigan (Jason Zimmerman) told you about me. I’m Stephen Hopson the world’s first deaf instrument rated pilot.

Jason made a comment about how cool it would be if we paired up as the deaf and blind pilot duo. The press would probably eat that one up!

To find out more information about me, feel free to check me out at my blog and inspirational speaking website at http://www.sjhopson.com

I am also featured in a nationally syndicated article about my business and aviation achievements. There’s one in AZ if you google my name and Anita Bruzzese’s name (she’s the reporter).

Congratulations on flying right seat in a Turbo Commander. Jason told me it was a thrill for you.

Did you hear about a blind pilot who flew across Europe in a sports plane with an instructor? It made headlines on the Internet. I wasn’t sure if that was you or not.

In any case, I hope to hear back from you soon. It’d be cool to get to know you more.

Me a deaf and you blind - I often joke at my speaking engagements that because I became the world’s first deaf and “blind” pilot (because of my instrument rating, you’re literally flying blind), I’d start the “Helen Keller Airways.” Audiences love it.

Write me and let me know how you are doing. We have Jason Zimmerman to thank for this introduction. He’s a great buddy of mine. We’ve been friends for years. And interestingly enough, he has a hearing impaired son. What a coincidence.

Dale:

Since your blog/site does not have a “comment subscribe” option, I was not aware that you responded to my comment. Jason Zimmerman alerted me to it so here I am.

But from this point on, let’s communicate by email and eventually phone. I’d love to get more acquainted with you in the coming days and weeks.

You can send me an email to stephen(at)sjhopson(dot)com

I’m glad you think this is a wild ass idea. It is! And I think if done right, the media will gobble it up.

I’m located in Akron, OH. If I’m not mistaken, you’re in Fla, right?

Let’s keep this dialogue moving by switching to regular email and then I’ll tell you how I communicate on the phone in real time. It’s an awesome new technology I’m using that allows me to use the telephone like a person who can hear. It’s mind boggling and life-changing.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.