Sky Boy Ali Asgari Lemjiri: Record-Setting RC Plane Pilot

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 8 Sep 2021 - Updated: 23 Sep 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information profiles Ali Asgari Lemjiri, a teenager from Iran known as Sky Boy, who has made a name for himself flying remote control model aircraft in a style entirely his own. On February 11, 2023, in Isfahan, he earned a place in Guinness World Records for the most remote-controlled fixed-wing aircraft manually flown at the same time, keeping two indoor planes in the air by controlling one with his toes and the other with his fingers. His video demonstrations serve as a practical introduction to RC flying for people with physical disabilities, showing that the hobby can be adapted to the individual rather than the other way around. The story matters to disabled youth, their parents, teachers, and recreation therapists looking for adaptive hobbies that build fine motor control, focus, and confidence, and it offers a clear, documented example of what adaptive technique and determination can achieve.

At a Glance

• 1 - His two record attempts lasted 5 minutes 47 seconds and 5 minutes 51 seconds.
• 2 - The two planes had matching colors on top and underneath, making them hard to tell apart.
• 3 - The flights took place in an indoor hall 40 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 10 meters high.
• 4 - Ali believes people with almost any type of disability can learn RC piloting and even compete at world championship level.

Topic Definition

Adaptive RC Model Aircraft Flying

Adaptive RC model aircraft flying is the practice of piloting remote control airplanes using controls, techniques, or body positions modified to suit a person's physical abilities. Instead of the standard setup of two hands on a transmitter, a pilot might use feet, toes, a single hand, chin or mouth controls, or custom-built switches and gimbals. The core skills stay the same - managing throttle, pitch, roll, and yaw while reading the aircraft's orientation in the air - but the way those inputs are delivered changes. It is enjoyed as both a relaxing hobby and a competitive sport, and it gives people with disabilities a way to take part in aviation, build coordination, and join clubs and competitions alongside other pilots.

Overview

An inspiring activity for people with physical disabilities, Ali shares his video clip as an introduction to the sport, and his unique style of remote control model aircraft flying, to people with disabilities.

Video: Ali Asgari Lemjiri is "Sky Boy"

16-year-old boy Ali Asgari Lemjiri known as "Sky Boy," presents demonstrations of model aircraft flying.

Ali Asgari Lemjiri is listed in the Guinness World Records for the most remote-controlled (RC) fixed-wing aircraft manually flown simultaneously achieved by Asgari Lemjiri Ali (Iran), in Isfahan, Iran, on 11 February 2023.

In the attempt, two indoor planes flew simultaneously, one controlled by toes and the other by fingers, in an indoor hall measuring 40 x 20 meters in length and width and 10 meters in height.

Under and on the planes were the same color, so it was challenging for the pilot to recognize the planes. The attempt to record was made twice, the first attempt was 5 minutes and 47 seconds, and the second was 5 minutes and 51 seconds.

Asgari attempted this record of motivating teenagers who like to make the impossible possible and encouraging parents to view their children's abilities differently.

Ali believes the disabled can learn the hobby, or sport, of Remote Control (RC) model plane piloting with almost any type of disability and even participate in model aircraft flying world championship competitions.

View the YouTube playlist of Ali Asgari Lemjiri flying several remote control planes in various configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can remote control transmitters be modified for people with limited hand movement?

Yes. Transmitters can be fitted with extended sticks, relocated switches, foot pedals, chin or mouth controls, or single stick setups, and some hobbyists build fully custom controllers to match a pilot's abilities.

What type of RC airplane is best for a beginner with a disability?

A slow, stable trainer plane with a high wing is usually the best choice, and many come with gyro stabilization or self leveling modes that make learning easier and reduce crashes.

Are flight simulators useful for learning to fly RC planes?

Yes. RC flight simulators let new pilots practice on a computer using their own transmitter, which builds skills and confidence without the cost of damaged aircraft.

What is a buddy box in RC flying?

A buddy box links a student transmitter to an instructor transmitter so the instructor can take over instantly if something goes wrong, making it a safe way to learn with help.

Do I need a license to fly a model airplane?

Rules depend on the country. In the United States, recreational flyers must pass the free TRUST safety test and register aircraft over a set weight with the FAA, and other countries have their own requirements.

What are the benefits of RC flying for people with disabilities?

RC flying can improve hand eye coordination, fine motor control, concentration, and problem solving, while also offering social connection through clubs and events.

Are there RC flying clubs that welcome pilots with disabilities?

Many local model aircraft clubs welcome pilots of all abilities and offer instruction, and national groups such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics in the U.S. can help you find a club near you.

Why are indoor RC planes different from outdoor models?

Indoor planes are very light and fly slowly, so they are less affected by the lack of space and can be flown safely in gyms and halls where wind is not a factor.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Ali's record is impressive on its own, but his stated reason for going after it says even more - he wanted to show other teenagers that the impossible can be made possible, and to push parents to look at what their children can do rather than what they cannot. That message lands with particular weight in a hobby usually pictured as two hands on a transmitter. Flying two identical-looking planes in a confined hall, each responding to a different set of limbs, takes a level of coordination and spatial awareness that most able-bodied pilots never attempt. For families, schools, and adaptive sports programs, his videos are a useful starting point for conversations about how RC flying, and recreation more broadly, can be reshaped around the person holding the controls.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.