At RFC Rendcomb Airfield in Cirencester, a small aircraft’s upper wing carried a 99‑year‑old German‑born woman named Helga Duffy as she strapped herself into a harness just before take‑off.
Duffy’s motivation came after seeing 97‑year‑old Betty Bromage’s own wing‑walk last month, a feat that had stunned the aviation community.
The flight, scheduled for Duffy’s 99th birthday but postponed to 16 October, lasted about five minutes and included a loop‑back over the Gloucestershire countryside, during which she maintained contact with pilots via radio.
During the descent, a Guinness adjudicator recorded the height, speed, and duration, confirming Duffy’s accomplishment and awarding her a certificate on the spot.
The stunt also served as a fundraiser; the event’s social media campaign attracted donors across the UK, culminating in over £1,300 pledged to the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance.
Bromage, who reclaimed the title when 97, expressed interest in retaking the record at 100, hinting that the competition may continue.