David Jacka
Aviator and advocate who set multiple firsts for quadriplegia.
Last updated
via Wikipedia: David Jacka · see source
David Brian Jacka OAM (born 14 July 1968) is an aviator and disability advocate who has set multiple world firsts for people with quadriplegia. In 2013, he became the first person with quadriplegia to fly solo around the coast of Australia, a 38-day journey in a Jabiru J230 he helped adapt. He also kayaked the entire 2,226 km length of the Murray River in 2016 and represented Australia in wheelchair rugby at the 1996 Summer Paralympics. After a motorbike accident in 1988 left him with C5/6 complete quadriplegia and only 6% physical function, Jacka designed custom modifications for aircraft and kayaks to achieve these feats.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 14 July 1968
- Aircraft used
- Jabiru J230
- Duration of flight
- 38 days
- Murray river kayak expedition
- 2016, 89 days, 2,226 km / 1,383 mi
- Paralympic representation
- 1996 Summer Paralympics, wheelchair rugby
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Jacka designed the adaptations for his Jabiru J230 himself to enable him to fly.
- He is a relation of Albert Jacka, the first Australian awarded the Victoria Cross in World War I.
- Jacka was a founding member of the Physically Challenged Shooters Club in Springvale, Victoria.
More in People with Tetraplegia
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: David Jacka (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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