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80-Year-Old Defies Gravity with Thrilling Wing-Walk
1 May
Summary
- An 80-year-old woman celebrated her birthday by walking on the wing of a biplane.
- She was flown at 80mph over the Gloucestershire countryside.
- The woman described the experience as 'weird' and 'like being tossed around in a tumble dryer'.
Jenny Thurgut, an 80-year-old resident of Newbury, Berkshire, marked her milestone birthday with an exhilarating wing-walk. She was secured to the wing of a Boeing Stearman biplane for a flight that reached speeds of 80mph, soaring above the picturesque Gloucestershire countryside.
Thurgut expressed her enjoyment of activities that challenge her, stating it prevents complacency. This aerial adventure follows her previous feats, including zip-wiring across a Welsh quarry and abseiling down Portsmouth's Spinnaker Tower. The eight-minute flight, conducted at RFC Rendcomb, was described by Thurgut as a 'weird' experience, akin to being tumbled in a dryer.
Professional wing-walker Libby Dover-Smith briefed Thurgut on the sensory intensity of the experience, noting the strong wind and noise. Dover-Smith highlighted Thurgut's presence in a unique group of brave individuals. While Thurgut is unsure of her next adventure, her immediate plan was to enjoy a cup of tea.
