Career
On 5 June 2013, Jacka became the first person with quadriplegia to fly solo around the coast of Australia. The trip took 38 days. He flew a Jabiru J230 with adaptations that he designed to enable him to fly.
The purpose of the flight was to spread the message of the charity founded by Jacka, On a Wing and a Chair.
In 1988, as a 19-year-old, Jacka had a motorbike accident which resulted in C5/C6 quadriplegia. He was left with 6% physical function.
He has no movement below his armpits, limited arm function, no finger function, and cannot regulate his body temperature. Jacka is a former Paralympian, representing Australia as part of the Australia national wheelchair rugby team at the 1996 Summer Paralympics.
In 2006, Jacka became the world"s first quadriplegic to fly a powered hang glider (ultralight trike).
In order to fly the aircraft, Jacka designed the adaptations needed to suit his disability.