On A Wing And A Chair

[Clare Prop]

Just been reading about Dave Jacka's journey. Wishing him a safe trip!

http://www.facebook.com/OnAWingAndAChair

On a Wing and a Chair ? Achieving the extraordinary (http://www.onawingandachair.org.au/)

[the_rookie]

thats amazing stuff! wonder how he changes radio freqs and reads the maps? Must just rely on the GPS. Very impressive

[VH-XXX]

David has modified his radio to allow him to change frequency with no use in his fingers. He has a small Microair radio and he has essentially glued a piece of plastic around the size of a tooth-pick to the volume and frequency knobs so he can turn them by moving his whole hand versus his fingers.

Much of the gear in the aircraft is pneumatic powered and runs off a compressor and tank in the rear of the aircraft. Throttle is controlled by sucking and blowing on a tube with a solenoid, plus there's an electric trim and break lever. It's well thought out ! When he's with an instructor all air powered controls can be over-ridden by the instructor such as the throttle. Whilst the throttle is air activated, he can still operate it by hand if required. Also, the PTT switch he presses with his elbow.

[Clare Prop]

That's amazing. I hope to meet him when he comes over West.

I am getting learning to fly enquiries from other disabled people who have been inspired by him, I have checked a few people's ability to exit an aircraft without help for the Wheelies with Wings scholarship in the past but never actually trained a paraplegic student before! First one starts Wednesday!

[VH-XXX]

David has an electrically raising platform that runs on 12 volts that lifts his chair up with one wheel taken off it. Once level with the door opening, he is shuffled across by his helpers. It is a moderately complex exercise because he can't keep himself upright as he has no control over that part of his body.

To put it into perspective he is able to push around his own wheelchair but that's about it.