Jessica Cox
Updated: Oct 8, 2023
Jessica Cox was born in 1983 in Arizona without arms due to a rare birth defect. She is the world's first licensed armless pilot, as well as the first armless black-belt in the American Taekwondo Association.
Jessica Cox graduated from the University of Arizona in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in communications.
Cox has not used prosthetic arms since she turned 14. Using her feet as most people use their hands, she is able, among other things, to drive an unmodified car with an unrestricted license, to type on a keyboard at 25 words per minute, to pump her own gas, and to put in and remove her contact lenses. She is also a certified scuba diver.
At the age of 10, Cox began training in taekwondo at a school in her hometown of Sierra Vista. At the age of 14, she earned her first black belt. While in college at the University of Arizona Cox restarted her taekwondo training at an American Taekwondo Association club on campus. In an effort to help future students without the use of arms the instructors created an entire training curriculum by modifying the standard material from the ATA. For example, instead of a punch Cox executes a knee strike.Cox has since gone on to earn her second and third degree black belts in the ATA. Cox has also earned the title of 2014 Arizona State Champion in forms. She did not compete in a special abilities ring.
Jessica Cox flew in a single-engine airplane for the first time via Wright Flight in 2004. Jessica earned her pilot's certificate on October 10, 2008, after three years of training, and is qualified to fly a light-sport aircraft to altitudes of 10,000 feet. She received her flight training through an Able Flight scholarship and soloed under the instruction of Parrish Traweek.
Cox's Sport Pilot Certificate is for an ERCO 415-C Ercoupe which the Federal Aviation Administration has designated a light-sport aircraft. Designed in the 1940s, the Ercoupe was built without rudder pedals.
"We feel Jessica Cox an inspiration VictoryTale and wishes her a grand success"
