IWA HISTORY
Who is IWA?
Although IWA began in 1972 as just a monthly "fly to
lunch" group of four paraplegic aviators from the
Southern California area, it has developed into a
worldwide group of disabled and able bodied (A/B)
pilots interested in aviation and flying. Members have
many different disabilities including paraplegia,
quadriplegia, amputee, multiple sclerosis, spina
bifida, polio and other problems. Through their hard
work and persistence and with the help of a tolerant
FAA medical system, hundreds have been given the
opportunity to fly, many to resume flying careers and
others to fly for the first time. Over the past 25 years
several hundred IWA members have flown thousands
of hours all over the world and in many different types
of aircraft using hand controls or whatever was
necessary to operate the aircraft as pilot in command.
lunch" group of four paraplegic aviators from the
Southern California area, it has developed into a
worldwide group of disabled and able bodied (A/B)
pilots interested in aviation and flying. Members have
many different disabilities including paraplegia,
quadriplegia, amputee, multiple sclerosis, spina
bifida, polio and other problems. Through their hard
work and persistence and with the help of a tolerant
FAA medical system, hundreds have been given the
opportunity to fly, many to resume flying careers and
others to fly for the first time. Over the past 25 years
several hundred IWA members have flown thousands
of hours all over the world and in many different types
of aircraft using hand controls or whatever was
necessary to operate the aircraft as pilot in command.
International Wheelchair Aviators
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Noteworthy Flights
Some of the more newsworthy flights that have been
flown by IWA members include the 1984 first
round-the-world solo flight by paraplegic "Rode"
Rodewald in his Comanche. This was a remarkable
feat, he encountered all types of weather conditions
and bureaucratic delays in most of the countries
where he landed. In 1995, Antonio Mello became the
second paraplegic person to fly around the world in
his Bonanza. Para Ewald Tritscher came over from
Austria, took instrument flying lessons from Mike
Smith in Big Bear, California, then flew a six month
trip in a Cardinal down to the tip of South America and
return with stops at most of the countries en-route.
Para Lee Hamilton flew his A-36 up over the magnetic
North Pole and back with stops in the far north. Tim
Ellison flew the London To Sydney airrace and came
in 1st in class, 2nd over all, in a Beech Bonanza A-36.
Many members have made flights across the U.S.,
into Mexico, up to Alaska and to the Caribbean
Islands.
flown by IWA members include the 1984 first
round-the-world solo flight by paraplegic "Rode"
Rodewald in his Comanche. This was a remarkable
feat, he encountered all types of weather conditions
and bureaucratic delays in most of the countries
where he landed. In 1995, Antonio Mello became the
second paraplegic person to fly around the world in
his Bonanza. Para Ewald Tritscher came over from
Austria, took instrument flying lessons from Mike
Smith in Big Bear, California, then flew a six month
trip in a Cardinal down to the tip of South America and
return with stops at most of the countries en-route.
Para Lee Hamilton flew his A-36 up over the magnetic
North Pole and back with stops in the far north. Tim
Ellison flew the London To Sydney airrace and came
in 1st in class, 2nd over all, in a Beech Bonanza A-36.
Many members have made flights across the U.S.,
into Mexico, up to Alaska and to the Caribbean
Islands.
Making A Living At It
Although the majority of members fly primarily for enjoyment, many utilize their planes for
transportation bypassing the regular pinched confines and schedules of the airlines. There
are several members who are engaged in flying as a business. Para Mike Smith in Big Bear,
CA used to own and operate a flight school and Air Charter business called Pacific Crest
Aviation. They did and still do training and Government contracts related to fire fighting. Mike
sold the company and is now on his own as an independant flight instructor willing to go any
where to give instruction to disabled pilots and their flight instructors.
transportation bypassing the regular pinched confines and schedules of the airlines. There
are several members who are engaged in flying as a business. Para Mike Smith in Big Bear,
CA used to own and operate a flight school and Air Charter business called Pacific Crest
Aviation. They did and still do training and Government contracts related to fire fighting. Mike
sold the company and is now on his own as an independant flight instructor willing to go any
where to give instruction to disabled pilots and their flight instructors.
Some Of The Good Things IWA Does
Started by quad Rick Amber, "Challenge Air" flies all over the country taking hundreds of
disabled kids up for free rides and getting various corporations and groups to participate.
Several IWA members around the U.S. help out with the flying (Jeff Shaffner, Jack Wallace, and
Theron Wright). S.B. Denny Carney in Pennsylvania., has been active for the past couple of
years flying kids with spina bifida. On the West Coast many of the able bodied and para
members have flown with the annual "Eagle" flight giving thousands of disabled kids rides
over Disneyland. In Oregon A/B Dorothy Schick has formed "TakeWing", Inc." and is flying
some of the disadvantaged in her Cessna 172. Some members belong to "Flying Samaritan"
groups volunteering their planes and time to fly patients who have special needs to treatment
centers where they can receive care.
disabled kids up for free rides and getting various corporations and groups to participate.
Several IWA members around the U.S. help out with the flying (Jeff Shaffner, Jack Wallace, and
Theron Wright). S.B. Denny Carney in Pennsylvania., has been active for the past couple of
years flying kids with spina bifida. On the West Coast many of the able bodied and para
members have flown with the annual "Eagle" flight giving thousands of disabled kids rides
over Disneyland. In Oregon A/B Dorothy Schick has formed "TakeWing", Inc." and is flying
some of the disadvantaged in her Cessna 172. Some members belong to "Flying Samaritan"
groups volunteering their planes and time to fly patients who have special needs to treatment
centers where they can receive care.
Amputees
Former airline captain Mike Penketh recently lost both hands and replaced them with
myoelectric prosthesis's. He has regained his medical and is back in the air flying a G202 in
the air show circuit! Sheri Marshall uses an artificial limb to replace an arm she lost and gives
flight instruction in KY. Jim Finch lost both legs and uses a hand control to fly around the mid
west. There are many other amputees who are enjoying the rewards and challenges of flight
and life.
myoelectric prosthesis's. He has regained his medical and is back in the air flying a G202 in
the air show circuit! Sheri Marshall uses an artificial limb to replace an arm she lost and gives
flight instruction in KY. Jim Finch lost both legs and uses a hand control to fly around the mid
west. There are many other amputees who are enjoying the rewards and challenges of flight
and life.
| International Wheelchair Aviators P.O. Box 4140, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 Phone: 951-529-2644 E-mail: IWAviators@aol.com |
A WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION OF DISABLED AND ABLE BODIED PILOTS |
What Does IWA do?
IWA helps disabled persons in their quest to fly by providing valuable information about FAA
medical requirements, hand control availability and flight schools that work with the disabled.
IWA also provides a current listing of over 200 handicapped pilots, their injury, type of plane
flown, hand control used, telephone and address.
medical requirements, hand control availability and flight schools that work with the disabled.
IWA also provides a current listing of over 200 handicapped pilots, their injury, type of plane
flown, hand control used, telephone and address.
| Certified Flight Instructors Dwight Leiss and Mike Smith pacificcrestaviation.com |
| Airshows and Acrobatics therollingwings.com |
