Barry Hyde

On May 7, 2007, Barry Hyde graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach campus, with a Master of Science in Aeronautics degree with specializations in Aviation Safety and Aviation Operations. Barry is the first blind student to ever attend Embry-Riddle since it first opened in 1925. He graduated “With Distinction” – Embry-Riddle’s highest academic level – to acknowledge his perfect 4.0 GPA. He was selected as a recipient of the “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” award both at Embry-Riddle as well as a national award winner. In June 2007, Barry began his Doctoral studies to obtain a Ph.D. in Business Administration with Aeronautical Specializations via online with Northcentral University in Prescott, Arizona, while still residing in Daytona Beach. As of November 2008 Hyde’s GPA is 3.93 and is currently 9 classes away from completing his Ph.D. degree.

From an early age, this North Carolina native has always loved aviation. Barry logged over 1,600 flight hours, was a flight instructor, was flying everyday and was one week away from interviewing for a pilots’ position with a major airline in Charlotte, North Carolina when tragedy struck. On June 1, 1998 while flying as a passenger, Barry was involved in a horrific aircraft accident and was pronounced dead-on-arrival when airlifted from the crash site to the hospital. Barry’s life and the future he dreamed of in aviation were over. Thanks to modern medicine and an overwhelming will to live, Barry emerged from a 20-day coma, blind, and with a multitude of injuries. After more than 2 years of recovery and rehabilitation Barry was determined to continue with life.

In 2000, Barry attended the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina and learned mobility, orientation, and independent living skills for a blind person, learned Braille, and learned the audible screen-reading software, JAWS (Job Access With Speech) so that he could use his computer. Barry met and trained with his new best friend from Southeastern Guide Dogs: his guide dog, Lincoln, a black Labrador retriever. Also in 2000, Barry became the FAA’s first and only blind Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) and Instrument Ground Instructor (IGI) in the world, as confirmed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA had never administered these tests to a blind person prior.

In 2001, Barry began his undergraduate studies at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and in December 2004 he and Lincoln graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in History. In August of 2005, Barry and Lincoln moved to Daytona Beach, Florida to begin his graduate studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. During his time at Embry-Riddle, Barry worked part-time in the Flight Training Laboratory working with pilots to mentor them as they studied for their tests to obtain flight certifications.

In May 2008 the Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA) awarded Hyde a scholarship for the third year in a row. They have been a great help in Hyde’s educational endeavors and he values their belief and support very much. Living on $567 per month Social Security Disability income, Hyde could not continue his education without the assistance of scholarships.

Lincoln will be retiring and his replacement will be arriving just after the first of 2009. Lincoln and Hyde have spent over 8 years together and they have flown together 40 times. The new dog is coming from Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind and he will be another male black Labrador retriever who will be approximately 2 years old.

In early November, Daniel Webster College (an aviation college in Nashua, NH) contacted Hyde with an offer to be an Adjunct Professor teaching an Aviation Safety and Security class online. Hyde has accepted and he will begin teaching in the summer of ‘09. He will continue his studies on the doctorate degree and he plans to graduate in December of 2010.

Hyde is achieving great things! In the words of Embry-Riddle’s first President, Jack R. Hunt, “For most people, the sky is the limit. For those who love aviation, the sky is home.” Hyde says he want to inspire people to keep reaching for the sky!

It is Barry’s hope that he will be able to open avenues for blind individuals in the aviation industry that have never been pursued before. It’s his goal to prevent an accident like what he was involved in from ever happening again to another pilot. Barry’s dream was to become an airline pilot and enjoy the lifestyle that comes with that privilege. But now he has the opportunity to once again be an instructor to future pilots and have them gain insight and knowledge by his experiences in aviation and aeronautics. Barry hopes to obtain a professional position in aeronautical management, research, development, or education that will utilize his certifications and experience in flight instruction, aviation safety, aviation operations, and human factors.