On a Wing and a Chair: An Epic Solo Flight Around Australia

by Dave Jacka

Overview

On 5 June 2013, Dave Jacka became the first person with quadriplegia to fly solo around Australia, covering a distance of almost 18,000 kilometres, the equivalent of flying from Melbourne to London.

On a Wing and a Chair brings the reader into this thrilling adventure. We experience the highs and lows of six years of preparation; then the trials and rewards of an epic 38-day flight in Dave's custom-adapted aircraft.

Turbulent weather, mechanical problems, sickness and fatigue were just some of the obstacles the team faced as they circumnavigated Australia, hugging the country's majestic coastline. At every stop along the way, the team received overwhelming support from local people who were deeply inspired by the flight's mission and Dave's courage.

After a near-death experience of getting caught in terrifying turbulence that tossed his aircraft around like a cork in a churning ocean, Dave had to overcome immense fear and anxiety in order to continue.

With insight and candour, Dave shares his moments of triumph and of self-doubt. No matter the challenge, Dave will find a way; the book exemplifies his guiding philosophy of setting personal goals, navigating obstacles and stretching his capacity. As Dave asks, "Where do my limits lie? Indeed, where do anyone's limits lie?"

On a Wing and a Chair is an inspiring story of tenacity, perseverance and self-belief. Through his remarkable example, Dave shows us what is possible when we dare to push our limits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780648582632
Publisher:	Dirt Track Publishing
Publication date:	09/15/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	37 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

When Dave Jacka was nineteen, a motorbike accident broke his neck, leaving him with quadriplegia and six percent physical function. For the rest of his life, Dave would be in a wheelchair-paralysed from his armpits down, with limited arm function, no use of his fingers and unable to regulate his body temperature. For the former surfer, snow-skier and carpenter, this was utterly devastating.In his first book, Six Percent, Dave tracks his inspirational journey of rebuilding his life. He relearns how to feed himself, to drive a car and retrains in engineering. He works as a project manager, represents Australia in wheelchair rugby in the 1996 Paralympics, and eventually fulfils his boyhood dream of learning to fly.Dave achieves each milestone by applying his remarkable mindset and philosophy. Instead of viewing obstacles as impenetrable barriers, Dave frames them as opportunities-opportunities to think laterally, devise solutions, overcome frustration-to do it differently.By custom-designing adaptations his recreational aircraft, in 2013 Dave became the first person with quadriplegia to fly solo around Australia. His second book, On A Wing and A Chair, charts this thrilling adventure.In 2014 Dave was a Victorian finalist for the Australian of the Year and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to people with a disability through sport.In 2016, Dave modified a sea kayak, taped his hands to the paddle and paddled the 2226km length of the Murray River-thereby achieving another world first.Dave is married, has a dog and a cat and always has his eye on his next major challenge.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Prologue

1 A New Beginning

2 Out of My Comfort Zone

3 Back to the Drawing Board

4 Modifications

5 Training

6 On a Wing & a Chair

7 A New Direction

8 Out of the Blue

9 Falling into Place

10 The Why

11 Up and Down

12 Thailand

13 The Trial Flight

14 Ramp Up

15 One Week to Go

16 One Day to Go

17 D-Day

18 First Milestone: South East Cape

19 Sick as a Dog

20 The Airlie Beach Incident

21 This is No Paradise

22 Gotta Get Outta This Place

23 Third Down, One to Go

24 Burketown Schoolkids

25 Days 16 and 17 Nhulunbuy NT

26 Darwin Here We Come

27 Stage Two: Kununurra

28 Change of Plan and Happy Birthday

29 Homeward Bound

30 We're Going Coastal

31 The Great Australian Bight

32 Stuck Again

33 Party, Fog and Frustrations

34 Worth the Fish 'n' Chips

35 Welcome Home Dave and Team

36 After the Flight

Epilogue

Acknowledgements