Deaf pilots gather in Manitowoc

MANITOWOC - Most of us are familiar with the sound of a prop plane, but can't fly. Others have never heard it, yet are soaring to new heights.

"It feels really free. You can just see anywhere and go anywhere," New York resident Tibor Farkas told FOX 11. Farkas is one of the handful of deaf pilots who came to Manitowoc for the annual fly-in of the Deaf Pilots Association.

Les Stayer, president of the group, said many people don't realize that deaf people can become pilots.

"A lot of the hearing pilots are in shock with jaws dropped. They can't really believe that we can fly," Les Stayer said.

Deaf pilots say there are some challenges.

"The challenge is to be able to watch other aircraft," Anthony Spiecker said. "You have to follow the visual flight rules."

Since pilots can not communicate on the radio, they are restricted to smaller airports, where there is no control tower.

"I can't fly into Milwaukee unless I have someone hearing, another co-pilot with me, like an interpreter, to clear the control tower to land there," Tibor said.

The Deaf Pilots Association holds its annual fly-in in a different city every year. It is usually held in June. But this year, since it's in Manitowoc, the group pushed it back to coincide with EAA Air Venture. That's where some met Mitchell Lock.

"We all have the common language of aviation," Lock said. He is able to hear but said he had no problem communicating with his fellow pilots. Lock flew to Manitowoc to show off his home-built airplane. He said the Deaf Pilots Association sends a great message.

"General aviation is open to anybody and everybody," Lock said.

The next generation of deaf pilots agreed.

"I think it goes to show that anybody can do anything they put their mind to," 16-year-old Logan Wood said.

Despite their lack of hearing, for these pilots, the sky truly is the limit.

According to the Deaf Pilots Association, of the 13,000 airports in the country, only about 700 have control towers. The other 12,300 are uncontrolled and accessible to deaf pilots.

Click here to visit the website for the Deaf Pilots Association.