A pilot’s account of her around-the-world adventure, including color photos. On May 6, 2003, Polly Vacher, a fifty-nine-year-old mother of three, took off from an airport in Birmingham, England, seeking to become the first pilot to complete a solo flight around the world, via both Poles, in a single-engine aircraft. Despite having only a few years of flying experience, Polly had already completed a lateral solo circumnavigation of the world in 2001 for the charity Flying Scholarships for the Disabled. This second challenge, for the same charity, would make that achievement look like a casual jaunt. There would be no margin for error. Her voyage to the ice was a thirty-five thousand–mile adventure in her Piper Dakota that would take her to at least thirty different countries on every single continent. She had prepared meticulously for two years, was fully insured, and had all the requisite permits and visas. With her kinetic enthusiasm, charm, and persistence, she had already garnered numerous sponsors. However, as she took off on that blustery spring day—flanked by a Hurricane and a Spitfire and waved off by her family and the Prince of Wales—she suddenly felt so alone. She had begun a remarkable expedition that would gain her three world records—but would also encounter extremes of weather and emotion, much kindness and obstruction, and a little political intrigue. This is the story of that adventure. “Truly inspirational.” —Aviation News
Inspired by past aviation pioneers, Amanda Harrison flew her vintage Tiger Moth from Biggin Hill to Darwin, Australia in 20 days, overcoming weather challenges, engine failures, and dangerous terrains all while recovering from cancer. Whilst learning to fly, Amanda Harrison discovered a beautiful vintage Tiger Moth. After researching the amazing pioneers who flew this fragile aircraft, a spark was ignited, and Amanda dreamed of emulating their adventures. On 11th May 2019, she made that dream a reality, taking off from Biggin Hill with the aim of flying to Darwin, Australia in 20 days – just as her idol Amy Johnson had done in 1930. Solo2Darwin documents one woman’s exhilarating journey across the world. Indeed, the launch of her biplane, ‘Solo2Darwin’, received extensive press coverage including print features in The Times and The Telegraph and TV footage broadcasted on ITV and Channel 5 News respectively. Faced with adversity, navigating through torturous mountain ranges covered in cloud, across seas, dodging thunderstorms and surviving engine failures, Amanda’s route had plenty of highs, lows and drama. Alongside this she also experienced the difficulties of solo-flying a biplane and having to navigate dangerous regions across the world. What makes Amanda’s expedition even more remarkable is that this was all undertaken whilst recovering from cancer. So strap in and prepare to go on a journey of a lifetime. Twelve countries, 2,600 miles, 46 flying hours, two engine failures, one airplane, one female pilot, all equals one amazing adventure!
A pilot’s account of her around-the-world adventure, including color photos. On May 6, 2003, Polly Vacher, a fifty-nine-year-old mother of three, took off from an airport in Birmingham, England, seeking to become the first pilot to complete a solo flight around the world, via both Poles, in a single-engine aircraft. Despite having only a few years of flying experience, Polly had already completed a lateral solo circumnavigation of the world in 2001 for the charity Flying Scholarships for the Disabled. This second challenge, for the same charity, would make that achievement look like a casual jaunt. There would be no margin for error. Her voyage to the ice was a thirty-five thousand–mile adventure in her Piper Dakota that would take her to at least thirty different countries on every single continent. She had prepared meticulously for two years, was fully insured, and had all the requisite permits and visas. With her kinetic enthusiasm, charm, and persistence, she had already garnered numerous sponsors. However, as she took off on that blustery spring day—flanked by a Hurricane and a Spitfire and waved off by her family and the Prince of Wales—she suddenly felt so alone. She had begun a remarkable expedition that would gain her three world records—but would also encounter extremes of weather and emotion, much kindness and obstruction, and a little political intrigue. This is the story of that adventure. “Truly inspirational.” —Aviation News
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