Woman, 99, sets out to mark her birthday and ends up breaking a wing walking world record
Helga Duffy, 99, became the oldest wing walker, with Guinness on hand to confirm the record in Gloucestershire.
Helga Duffy set out to mark her 99th birthday with a wing walk, and the attempt turned into a Guinness World Record. The British woman is now the oldest person ever to complete the stunt.
Duffy's record attempt was tied to her birthday on Sept. 23, although the wing walk itself was pushed back to Oct. 16. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was at RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, to verify the achievement and hand over her certificate.
In the clip below, the moment is also part of a fundraiser, with money being raised for Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance. That gave the challenge an extra purpose beyond the record itself, turning a personal milestone into support for a charity.
The record she wanted to beat might not stay hers for long
Duffy said she was inspired after seeing news coverage of Betty Bromage, the previous record-holder, complete a wing walk at the age of 97. That earlier feat appears to have planted the idea that she could take on the same challenge and go even older.
Bromage has already congratulated Duffy on taking the title. She also suggested the story may not be over, telling the BBC: "I can't wait until I'm 100 and I can do it again, I'll beat you again."
So while Duffy has been confirmed as the current world's oldest wing walker, there is already talk of a future comeback attempt from the woman who held the record before her. For now, though, Duffy's birthday plan has put her into the Guinness record books at 99.
What wing walking is
Wing walking is an aviation stunt or experience in which a person is secured to a specially built frame on the outside of an aircraft, usually above the wing. Unlike a passenger inside a cockpit, the rider is fully exposed to wind, noise and changing forces as the plane climbs, turns and descends.
Modern wing walking is usually done with the participant strapped into a fixed seat or platform rather than moving around the aircraft. It is often offered as a charity challenge, bucket list experience or display flying event, and it relies on specialist aircraft, pilots and equipment.
How it is made safer
Because the risks are obvious, wing walking is tightly controlled by the operator. Participants are normally fitted with a harness and given a briefing covering body position, hand placement, signals and what to expect during take-off, manoeuvres and landing.
People are commonly asked about heart conditions, recent surgery, neck or back problems, mobility limits and anxiety around heights or motion. Requirements vary by operator and country, so the practical step is to check the provider's medical guidance in advance and ask for clarification if anything is unclear.
If you are thinking about trying it
Wear close fitting clothes, tie back long hair and avoid loose items, jewellery or anything that could come free in strong wind. Eat lightly, stay hydrated and arrive early enough to listen properly to the safety briefing.
If your goal is a record, record keepers usually require independent proof, clear rules and formal verification. Even without that, many adventure providers can tell you whether an experience is suitable for your age, fitness and confidence level.
