David Jacka

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{{Infobox person

|name=David Jacka

|image=David Jacka as he lands into Wynyard, first day of the On a Wing and a Chair around Australia flight.jpg

|caption=Jacka lands in Wynyard, Tasmania, on the first day of his 38-day solo flight around Australia. 29 April 2013.

}}

David Brian Jacka OAM (born 14 July 1968) is an aviator and disability advocate.[https://web.archive.org/web/20220206104802/https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/david-jacka/1080/ Australian of the Year Awards, 2014 Honour roll] On 5 June 2013, Jacka became the first person with quadriplegia to fly solo around the coast of Australia.Lucie van den Berg, [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/solo-flight-a-new-high-for-paralympian-athlete-dave-jacka/story-fni0fit3-1226658070997 "Solo flight a new high for Paralympian athlete Dave Jacka"], Herald Sun, 5 June 2013Tiana Richardson (7 June 2013) [http://www.spec.com.au/blog/2013/06/07/on-a-wing-and-a-chair-quadriplegic-makes-history/ "On a wing and a chair, quadriplegic makes history"]{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Portland Observer. Retrieved 28 June 2013. The trip took 38 days. He flew a Jabiru J230 with adaptations that he designed to enable him to fly.Duncan Abey (1 May 2013) [https://archive.today/20130811142421/http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2013/05/01/378187_tasmania-news.html "Flying start to epic journey"] The Mercury (News Limited). Retrieved 28 June 2013.Mark Acheson (29 April 2013) [http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/1466239/quadriplegic-solo-flyer-lands-on-coast/?cs=86 "Quadriplegic solo flyer lands on Coast"] The Advocate. Retrieved 28 June 2013. The purpose of the flight was to spread the message of the charity founded by Jacka, On a Wing and a chair. The charity's mission was to raise the publics' expectations of what people with disabilities can achieve and inspire everyone, with or without a disability, to get out and have a go at their own dreams and goals.{{Cite web |url=http://www.onawingandachair.org.au/ |title=On a Wing and a Chair |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619031952/http://www.onawingandachair.org.au/ |archive-date=19 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In 2006, Jacka became the world's first quadriplegic to fly a powered hang glider (ultralight trike). In order to fly the aircraft, Jacka together with the fabricator, Geoff Higgins, designed the adaptations needed to suit his disability.Chloe Bugelly (25 February 2006) [http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/14896/lofty-dream-takes-flight/ "Lofty dream takes flight"] The Border Mail. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

In 2016, Jacka became the first person with quadriplegia to kayak the length of Australia's longest river, the Murray River. The expedition took 89 days, and covered 2,226 km, from Lake Hume (New South Wales) to the river's outlet, near Goolwa on South Australia's coast. Jacka paddled in a modified sea kayak with his hands taped to the paddle.(21 June 2016) [https://www.murrayvalleystandard.com.au/story/3981715/dave-proves-his-potential-is-unlimited/ "Dave Jacka, quadriplegic River Murray kayaker, proves his potential is unlimited"] The Murray Valley Standard. Retrieved 20 May 2019.Keith Platt (5 September 2016) [http://mpnews.com.au/2016/09/05/solving-a-kayakers-obstacles-on-the-murray/ "Dave Jacka, quadriplegic River Murray kayaker, proves his potential is unlimited"] Mornington Peninsula News Group. Retrieved 20 May 2019.

File:Dave Jacka completes his kayaking expedition down the Murray River.jpg

Jacka represented Australia as part of the Australia national wheelchair rugby team at the 1996 Summer Paralympics.Emily Portelli (29 April 2013) [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/fairfield-man-dave-jacka-has-started-his-quest-to-become-the-first-quadriplegic-to-fly-solo-around-australia/story-e6frf7jo-1226631548419 "Fairfield man Dave Jacka has started his quest to become the first quadriplegic to fly solo around Australia"] Herald Sun (News Limited). Retrieved 28 June 2013.

Dave Jacka became quadriplegic after a motorbike accident in 1988. With C5/6 complete quadriplegia, he was left with 6% physical function.(30 May 2013) [http://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/1538969/inspirational-quadriplegic-sets-down-in-mandurah/?cs=289 "Inspirational quadriplegic sets down in Mandurah"] Mandurah Mail. Retrieved 28 June 2013. He has no movement below his armpits, limited arm function, no finger function, and cannot regulate his body temperature.(4 May 2013) [http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1476990/quadriplegia-cant-keep-dave-from-epic-flight/ "Quadriplegia can't keep Dave from epic flight"] Illawarra Mercury. Retrieved 14 October 2013.

Jacka was also a founding member of the Physically Challenged Shooters Club, based in Springvale, Victoria.{{citation needed|date=August 2013}}