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.
Зміст
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
Про автора
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.
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