Wheelchair Users in the Air: "I would drop everything to be a professional pilot"

The marketing consultant Holger Schönenberg takes off regularly in his free time. Even as a child he wanted to learn to fly. Not even a back operation at age 15, which left him partially paralyzed, could dissuade him from this goal. And now he made it. Whether glider or motor plane – nothing is safe from him.

01.07.2011

Holger Schönenberg; © private

REHACARE.de spoke to the 35 year old pilot about the aviation virus, prejudice against pilots in wheelchairs and spontaneous joyrides to the North Sea islands.

REHACARE.de: Mr. Schönenberg, do you think flying is a more enjoyable experience for a wheelchair user than for a pedestrian?

Holger Schönenberg: I have asked that myself. But I do not believe that I, as a wheelchair user, feel freer whilst flying, than a pedestrian. I think you either have the aviation virus or not. Nevertheless, it was the most beautiful moment, when, after 20 years, I was finally able to sit at the front of the cockpit, and fly. I am currently learning to fly motor planes.

REHACARE.de: Why did it take so long until you were finally able to take of?

Schönenberg: Firstly, you need a certificate of fitness, the Medical. This is split into two steps: Class one for commercial and professional pilots, class two for private pilots. I was granted class two with virtually no restrictions. For example, people suffering from diabetes or heart problems are generally excluded. On top of that, motor gliding is generally an expensive hobby and you need many hours to obtain a pilot’s license. I needed some time to gather the money.

REHACARE.de: Do you need a lot of help with flying?

Schönenberg: I don’t need help with motor gliding. I am able to check the engine pre-flight myself. That is vital for flying. Apart from that, I sometimes need more time or am forced to do things differently. I am not able to feel my legs, due to my partial paralysis, but am able to move them. That is an advantage, as I can use the foot pedals legs to steer. This is usually done over hand control when completely paralysed.

REHACARE.de: Are there people who did not trust you could fly?

Schönenberg: Flying is madness for people who equate disabilities with weakness or sickness. But most people tend to admire it. I myself did not want to accept that my disability should hold me back.

REHACARE.de: What does your wife say to this?

Schönenberg: She is an enthusiastic passenger…

Of vital importance: Checking the plane before taking to the air; © private

REHACARE.de: Who do I turn to if I want to learn flying as a wheelchair user?

Schönenberg:At the time, I simply went to the airfield and asked. We tested if I was able to operate the pedals, and that was no problem. Alternatively, you can contact the German association “Die Rolliflieger” which means “wheelchair flyers” to find more information.

REHACARE.de: Why did you switch from gliding to motor gliding?

Schönenberg: I always wanted to fly motor planes. Although gliding is flying in its essence, a wheelchair does not fit into a glider. I want to get from A to B independently. And with a motor plane I can just fly to an island and have a cup of coffee.

REHACARE.de: Land on an island? Just like that?

Schönenberg: Yes. That happens to motor planes from time to time. In some countries, that is normal, for example in the US, where flying is a fundamental right and many people own planes. In Germany flying is a privilege. And there are many that will never be able to.

REHACARE.de: And you want to change that?

Schönenberg: Yes, I want to create a foundation that allows children from socially deprived families to take part in a sightseeing flight. Children should know that they can achieve something by their own means. I am currently brooding over a concept.

REHACARE.de: Which is not completely selfless…?

Schönenberg: Indeed. To fly, with a mission behind it, is my biggest dream. I would drop everything to become a professional pilot. For that I would need the Medical one – and for that I would have to prove that someone needs me as pilot and is prepared to pay me. Unfortunately, that is as unlikely as winning the lottery. Sadly, there are people that would not fly with a physically disabled pilot; just like some people would not fly with a woman. That is the way it is. Technically, it wouldn’t be a problem.

This interview was conducted by Natascha Mörs.
REHACARE.de