Fil-Am armless pilot Jessica Cox just flew the ‘world’s fastest Ercoupe’
Photo from Jessica Cox/Instagram
“Nothing is impossible.”
It’s a phrase we’ve all clung to as children—a mantra that encourages us to aim high and fill our heads with idealistic notions of “conquering the world.” But as we cross the threshold into adulthood, the limitless possibilities we once held dear often get relegated at the bottom of our priorities, crushed under the rubble of reality and adult responsibilities.
Pessimism creeps in, while the phrase starts to mean nothing but an overly romanticized platitude that merely fuels false hopes; a catchy tagline that is meaningless beyond motivational posters and pep talks.
But then, there’s Filipina-American pilot Jessica Cox—the living, breathing, and (quite literally) high-flying proof that there’s still some truth left in those words. Her latest feat? Operating the “fastest Ercoupe in the world” without arms.
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“Disability does not mean inability”
It’s one thing for women to break into an industry traditionally dominated by men, but it’s an entirely different stratosphere when somebody does it sans their primary appendages.
While Ercoupe isn’t exactly designed for high-speed performance but rather for stability and ease of control, flying one without hands—and arms—is an achievement that not many individuals can reach. In fact, Cox is the world’s first and only armless licensed pilot.
This has earned her a Guinness World Record, an opportunity to speak to audiences across the globe and help them build “creativity and unrelenting drive,” plus an impressive roster of television appearances.
Now, if you’ve been wondering how Cox handles the controls of an aircraft, the answer is simple: with her two dextrous feet. “Since I was born without arms, I became fascinated by the limitless ways the human body can adjust to a variety of circumstances. I utilized dormant physical traits to adapt and use my feet the way people use their hands,” wrote the pilot in her website.
Introducing Cox’s “impossible airplane” project
Despite operating an Ercoupe for more than a decade now, Cox admits that doing so with feet is “really hard.” This was what motivated her to create Project 2025—a venture that aims to construct a foot-controlled plane.
As of writing, the airplane already has a tail, automatic doors, and “Filipino American wings,” which were manufactured partially in the Philippines and shipped to New Jersey for the rest of the work.
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“It [will] be a plane that I can fly, and [will] have more impact, inspire more people, and show the world that people with disabilities can—in fact—do wonderful things,” said Cox in a video from a couple of years ago.
Undertakings beyond the pilot seat
Even before becoming a pilot, Cox has already recognized the power of her words and her unique experiences as a source of inspiration and optimism. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in psychology and communication, which served as a solid foundation for her motivational speaking journey.
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With a track record of speaking to audiences in 23 countries, she has been traveling the world to inspire as many people as she can to overcome their perceived limitations. And this November, Cox will fly to Dubai for another event.
