Annals Of Achievement–Flying Bind: Englishman Steve Cunningham lost his eyesight at the age of 12 to glaucoma. Today, at 41, he is in the airspace over Britain, attempting to become the first sightless pilot to fly around the United Kingdom. Before you start canceling any flights to London, note that Cunningham has a co-pilot (who can see) with him JUST IN CASE. But as he correctly points out there is not much to look at up in the clouds, anyhow. Cunningham’s Piper Warrior is fitted with special software that constantly updates him, via synthetic voice, on his altitude, speed, and position (yeah: but how does he land?). If Cunningham succeeds without pranging into a hillside, he will add to an impressive collection of “blind” records. In 2000 he set a “blind” offshore powerboat record in the English Channel. And in 1999 he became the fastest blind man on wheels, when he drove a Dodge Viper to 147 miles per hour (no, not on the highway…on an airfield). Oh yeah, he’s also captain of his blind soccer team…



Blind Man Aloft “Hey, at least I’m not drunk…”