Matt Pirrello, an ROTC cadet at Ohio University, lost his right leg mid-thigh in a parachuting accident at the US Air Force Academy 18 months ago.

He still wants to be a pilot, but he understands the hurdles in his way.

“If you’re in the Air Force when you’re hurt, it’s a matter of retention,” he said. “If you’re not in the Air Force, it’s a matter of whether they will accept you despite your injuries.”

Others have flown with prosthetic legs after they were in the service, but most have been below-the-knee amputees who can push the rudder pedal on a plane more or less normally and reposition their feet to get to the brake without too much trouble.

Last May, Lt Ryan McGuire became the first amputee to complete pilot training.  He lost part of his leg below the knee while he was in training, but he managed to obtain waivers allowing him to re-enter training.  He went on to fly the C-17.

Pirrello hasn’t yet been commissioned, never mind entered training, and his injury is different.  He seems to be keeping an open mind, even as he plans to continue his efforts toward pilot training:

If he can’t be a pilot, Pirrello said he would like to command unoccupied aircraft or do intelligence work.

He jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (twice), so he’s definitely demonstrated some degree of motivation toward his goals.  It will be interesting to see if the Air Force — especially in an era of draw down — will be able to reward that motivation and let him in the cockpit, as opposed to the jump door.