International Wheelchair Aviators

Although the International Wheelchair Aviators (IWA) organization 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 of disabled pilots have been given the opportunity to fly, many to resume flying careers and others to fly for the first time.

Over the part 25 years, several hundred disabled pilots 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.

The majority of members fly primarily for enjoyment, though some utilize their planes for transportation bypassing the regular pinched confines and schedules of the airlines. Several members are professional air show performers.

The worldwide organization also provides a current listing of disabled pilots, their injuries, type of plane flown, hand controls used, telephone and address.

Visit www.InternationalWheelchairAviators.org for more information or send an email to IWAviators@aol.com.

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