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The Epoch Times | Determined Deaf Man Soars as Pilot
The parents of Stephen Hopson used to say this to him as a child: "You can't become a pilot because you're deaf." This did not deter him.
In February 1996, Stephen Hopson became the first deaf instrument-rated pilot in the world. A license to deaf person to fly in all kinds of weather was an accomplishment that some considered near impossible; the FAA once forbid deaf pilots from earning an instrument rating.
In addition, he is an author of various articles on overcoming life obstacles and a speaker on motivational issues. How did he overcome the challenges of deafness?
"Establishing goals, visualizing myself achieving them, as well as having faith that it will all work out well are essential ingredients in overcoming deafness and obstacles," says Hopson.
Hopson was born in 1961 in Schenectady, NY but grew up in Latham, NY. He became deaf due to his mother contracting German measles while pregnant with him. However, his deafness was not discovered until at the age of three when his grandmother called his name from behind. He attended public schools and had speech therapy with the assistance of hearing aids all throughout his school years.
When Stephen was in the fifth grade, he says his teacher changed his life. His teacher asked the class a question and Stephen suddenly decided to raise his hand to give the answer. When he gave the correct answer, the teacher looked at him intently and said, "That's right, Stephen!" As simple as those three words sounded, they were the affirmation that gave him a confidence boost which he sorely needed. After this moment, he felt he could overcome anything.
Hopson attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, and was awarded a B.S. degree in Business Administration/Finances with a minor in Psychology. During this time, he learned sign language from a friend.
He then worked at a "stodgy 9 to 5" job, as he described it, at a bank in New York City for ten years. A friend of a friend recommended that he apply to Merrill Lynch as a stockbroker. The competition was quite intense and Stephen believed his deafness could prevent him from getting the job. Hopson had a cold and a slight fever too on the day of the interview, but managed it okay.
During the final phase of the interview, after the interrogation was finished, the interviewer was playing with a paper clip, being quiet for a while, possibly thinking what decision he should make. Stephen could not hold back any longer, he wanted this job quite badly. Without thinking, he plunged ahead saying, "If you don't hire me, you'll never know what I could do for this firm." Apparently, it worked.
It was not till the third year as a stockbroker, after struggling to establish a clientele list, that Stephen Hopson broke through and started earning a six-figure income. He worked there for a total of five years. But by this time, he came to realize that although he had "everything," he was spiritually bankrupt.
While on a vacation at a Florida beach, Hopson had a sudden inspiration to become a motivational speaker. He quit his prestigious stockbroker job, to everyone's dismay, especially his family's. For the next few years Stephen lived practically on peanut butter sandwiches, pasta, and cereal to save money.
He took writing courses and read various books on spiritual issues, such as books by Neale Donald Walsh and Brian L. Weiss, M.D. He then developed his own philosophy for overcoming adversity and reaching one's goals. What he teaches is universal: no one is immune to life's adversity. Now, Hopson has made a career of his national speaking tours, delivered to mostly hearing audiences.
In relation to becoming a pilot, Hopson says he was lucky to find the "right" instructor to teach him to fly before 9/11; otherwise it would have been quite difficult due to his deafness. It took perseverance to find an instructor who was willing to be patient in communicating with him and provide instructions, which finally led to getting his pilot license.
The difference between regular pilot and instrument-rated pilot is that the latter is certified to fly in an inclement weather using instrument panel as a guide. Stephen says even so, he prefers to check the weather ahead of time prior to flying. As for having to use the radio, Stephen mentioned this not-well-known fact that out of 12,000 airports in the U.S., only 700 have control towers. Hence, he is able to fly to those airports with no tower, as radio communication is not needed.
"Deaf pilots navigate through the use of an aviation map (called aeronautical chart) coupled with visual ground checkpoints and, if the pilot has one, a GPS," Hopson states. In addition, deaf pilots have been flying since 1948 largely because radio use is not required in airspaces/airports without air traffic control.
Stephen's future plans include publishing his first book, speaking overseas, flying a small jet (which is a large dream), and creating audiovisual products for sale for clients.
Hopson has established his own business, Obstacle Illusions, with a website at Professional Speaker, deaf, author, consultant, Cleveland, Ohio.
Stephen Hopson currently lives in Akron, Ohio.
The parents of Stephen Hopson used to say this to him as a child: "You can't become a pilot because you're deaf." This did not deter him.
In February 1996, Stephen Hopson became the first deaf instrument-rated pilot in the world. A license to deaf person to fly in all kinds of weather was an accomplishment that some considered near impossible; the FAA once forbid deaf pilots from earning an instrument rating.
In addition, he is an author of various articles on overcoming life obstacles and a speaker on motivational issues. How did he overcome the challenges of deafness?
"Establishing goals, visualizing myself achieving them, as well as having faith that it will all work out well are essential ingredients in overcoming deafness and obstacles," says Hopson.
Hopson was born in 1961 in Schenectady, NY but grew up in Latham, NY. He became deaf due to his mother contracting German measles while pregnant with him. However, his deafness was not discovered until at the age of three when his grandmother called his name from behind. He attended public schools and had speech therapy with the assistance of hearing aids all throughout his school years.
When Stephen was in the fifth grade, he says his teacher changed his life. His teacher asked the class a question and Stephen suddenly decided to raise his hand to give the answer. When he gave the correct answer, the teacher looked at him intently and said, "That's right, Stephen!" As simple as those three words sounded, they were the affirmation that gave him a confidence boost which he sorely needed. After this moment, he felt he could overcome anything.
Hopson attended Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, and was awarded a B.S. degree in Business Administration/Finances with a minor in Psychology. During this time, he learned sign language from a friend.
He then worked at a "stodgy 9 to 5" job, as he described it, at a bank in New York City for ten years. A friend of a friend recommended that he apply to Merrill Lynch as a stockbroker. The competition was quite intense and Stephen believed his deafness could prevent him from getting the job. Hopson had a cold and a slight fever too on the day of the interview, but managed it okay.
During the final phase of the interview, after the interrogation was finished, the interviewer was playing with a paper clip, being quiet for a while, possibly thinking what decision he should make. Stephen could not hold back any longer, he wanted this job quite badly. Without thinking, he plunged ahead saying, "If you don't hire me, you'll never know what I could do for this firm." Apparently, it worked.
It was not till the third year as a stockbroker, after struggling to establish a clientele list, that Stephen Hopson broke through and started earning a six-figure income. He worked there for a total of five years. But by this time, he came to realize that although he had "everything," he was spiritually bankrupt.
While on a vacation at a Florida beach, Hopson had a sudden inspiration to become a motivational speaker. He quit his prestigious stockbroker job, to everyone's dismay, especially his family's. For the next few years Stephen lived practically on peanut butter sandwiches, pasta, and cereal to save money.
He took writing courses and read various books on spiritual issues, such as books by Neale Donald Walsh and Brian L. Weiss, M.D. He then developed his own philosophy for overcoming adversity and reaching one's goals. What he teaches is universal: no one is immune to life's adversity. Now, Hopson has made a career of his national speaking tours, delivered to mostly hearing audiences.
In relation to becoming a pilot, Hopson says he was lucky to find the "right" instructor to teach him to fly before 9/11; otherwise it would have been quite difficult due to his deafness. It took perseverance to find an instructor who was willing to be patient in communicating with him and provide instructions, which finally led to getting his pilot license.
The difference between regular pilot and instrument-rated pilot is that the latter is certified to fly in an inclement weather using instrument panel as a guide. Stephen says even so, he prefers to check the weather ahead of time prior to flying. As for having to use the radio, Stephen mentioned this not-well-known fact that out of 12,000 airports in the U.S., only 700 have control towers. Hence, he is able to fly to those airports with no tower, as radio communication is not needed.
"Deaf pilots navigate through the use of an aviation map (called aeronautical chart) coupled with visual ground checkpoints and, if the pilot has one, a GPS," Hopson states. In addition, deaf pilots have been flying since 1948 largely because radio use is not required in airspaces/airports without air traffic control.
Stephen's future plans include publishing his first book, speaking overseas, flying a small jet (which is a large dream), and creating audiovisual products for sale for clients.
Hopson has established his own business, Obstacle Illusions, with a website at Professional Speaker, deaf, author, consultant, Cleveland, Ohio.
Stephen Hopson currently lives in Akron, Ohio.
