Helga Duffy, 99, has become the world's oldest wing-walker after flying while securely attached to the top of a small plane. The flight took place at Rendcomb Airfield in Gloucestershire, England. Guinness World Records recognized her achievement just three months after 97-year-old Betty Bromage earned the title.
Duffy's niece, Jackie Rose, saw news reports about Bromage and realized her aunt could try it too. Staff at Duffy's care home also encouraged her. Although Duffy did not know what wing-walking was at first, she became determined to try something different. She worried about getting onto the plane because she had arthritis, a condition that causes joint pain, and a bad right knee. However, she spent more than five minutes in the air and said she felt very safe.
After landing, Duffy received an official certificate from Guinness World Records representative Will Munford. The certificate is now displayed at her care home. Her flight also raised more than £1,600, or $2,000, for a regional air ambulance charity, which helps people through emergency medical flights.
