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APPI Education System • Handifly Tandem

Handifly Tandem

Train to safely fly passengers with limited mobility — wheelchair takeoffs, specialised tandem techniques, and passenger care.

Course detailsFAQ
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Handifly Tandem
Handifly Tandem
Handifly Tandem pilots master techniques to fly passengers with limited mobility. The course covers equipment, wheelchair takeoffs, passenger care, advanced flight techniques, and safety protocols. Certification is issued by an APPI Handifly master instructor.

Prerequisites

- Empathy & physical readiness to assist passengers.
- Hold a non-commercial tandem qualification.
- Recommended: HandiFriend rating.
- Minimum 100 tandem flights logged.

Training

Typical duration 6 days. Includes theory on disabilities, equipment review, wheelchair-specific piloting, emergency & rescue practice, passenger handling and mental-state awareness.

Certification

Theory exam (online questionnaire), practical exam, written procedures and tandem flights demonstrating take-off/approach/landing mastery and passenger care.

Prerogatives

After initial 'in progress' certification and logging further flights with reports to a master, pilots may be validated to operate handifly tandem with passengers.

Evolution

After completing extra logged flights and documentation, status can be validated; pilots may then operate with handicapped passengers independently (as per APPI rules).

Rules

Must follow APPI rules: report incidents, use certified gear, maintain liability insurance when available, and comply with local aviation and labor laws.

FAI Infos

Where NAC recognizes APPI, the FAI IPPI stamp appears automatically on the pilot’s APPI license (check local authority agreements).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Handifly Tandem course?
A specialized APPI course training pilots to safely fly passengers with limited mobility using wheelchair takeoffs and adapted tandem procedures. Includes theory, equipment, and practical flights.
How long is the course?
Typically 6 days (may vary). The course requires a minimum number of practical flights (example: 2 solo wheelchair flights + 10 handi tandem flights under instructor supervision). If weather prevents required flights, the course is extended.
Who can enroll?
Pilots who hold a non-commercial tandem qualification, a HandiFriend rating (recommended), at least 100 tandem flights logged, and strong empathy and physical readiness to assist passengers.
What certification do I get?
If assessments pass, the participant receives an APPI Handifly Tandem status 'in progress'. After additional logged flights and documentation, status may be validated by a Handifly master.
What are the assessment criteria?
Theory exam (online questionnaire), practical exam: well-documented procedures, safe briefings, take-off/approach/landing mastery with wheelchair, accuracy, passenger care and safety procedures.

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