An evolution of accessible aviation where we don't transport people—we recruit temporary crew for scientific missions.
ENTER THE LABThe commercial aviation experience often falls short for people with disabilities. For those who rely on powered wheelchairs or other mobility aids, flying can mean risking damage to essential equipment, facing undignified boarding processes, or navigating spaces designed without accessibility in mind.
The industry prioritizes "small" and "light," but powered mobility devices are neither. As passenger accommodations shrink, the disconnect grows more apparent.
While passenger aviation faces accessibility challenges, the cargo sector has evolved different priorities. Freighter aircraft are designed around functionality rather than passenger density.
Cargo aircraft offer exactly what powered wheelchairs need: large doors and reinforced floors. These aren't luxury features—they're functional requirements that happen to enable accessibility.
The question becomes: how do we apply cargo aircraft advantages to human transportation?
We've identified three viable approaches to creating truly accessible air travel, each with different advantages and requirements:
The Embraer E-freighter represents the premium approach. With 2,500NM range and modern jetliner amenities, it offers speed, altitude, and comfort.
This is the complete package—everything you'd expect from a modern airline experience, built on a cargo-capable platform from the start.
The ATR series offers something unique: reach. These turboprops can access airports jets can't, serving communities often overlooked by major carriers.
Their lower flight ceiling creates a more connected experience—you see the world like never before. There's genuine magic in watching landscapes unfold beneath you.
The C-130 represents a different philosophy: maximum flexibility. With legendary cargo doors and reinforced floors, it's an empty canvas ready for any mission.
This approach asks: what if accessibility wasn't just about transportation? What if the journey itself became part of the mission?
Imagine a retired NASA C-130, rescued from a desert boneyard and transformed into a flying laboratory for the disability community. This isn't science fiction—it's a tangible possibility.
Skylab 2026 merges Wind Airways' accessibility mission with scientific exploration. We're not creating another airline; we're building a platform where travel and research intersect.
The fundamental shift: passengers become temporary crew. Every flight includes a research component, with participants contributing to data collection and experimentation.
What does "temporary crew" actually mean in practice? Every Skylab flight includes participatory research elements:
Real-time aerodynamic analysis: How long does it take a C-130 to travel between points under current conditions? Predictions provide estimates, but actual flight data tells the true story.
Additional research areas include vibration analysis for medical equipment, cabin environment monitoring, and accessibility equipment testing under actual flight conditions.
This transforms travel from passive transportation to active participation.
Every journey contributes to our collective understanding.
Skylab 2026 represents more than just accessible transportation. It's a statement about how we approach problem-solving in aviation.
The Core Philosophy: We're not trying to fit disability into existing aviation frameworks. We're building new frameworks where accessibility drives the design from the beginning.
The Promise: Large cargo doors accommodate wheelchairs directly. Reinforced floors secure medical equipment safely. And the shared purpose of scientific contribution transforms travel from chore to expedition.
This evolution brings accessibility within reach—not as a distant dream requiring tens of millions, but as a tangible project we can build together.
This isn't about buying tickets. It's about joining a mission.
Help design experiments. Test accessibility solutions in flight conditions.
Be part of proving that aviation can—and should—work for everyone.