Post by : Badri Ariffin

Ninety-seven-year-old Betty Bromage has once again entered the record books after breaking her own Guinness World Record as the oldest female wing walker.

The Cheltenham, England, resident completed the record-breaking flight on Tuesday, August 4, becoming the oldest woman to perform a wing walk. It marked the sixth time Bromage has flown attached to the outside of an aircraft wing, a hobby she first took up when she was 87 years old.

Sixth Wing Walk Extends Her Guinness World Record

Bromage first earned the Guinness World Record four years ago. This latest flight allowed her to surpass her previous achievement and extend the record once again.

During the challenge, she remained attached to the wing of an Aero-Super-Batics biplane while the aircraft completed its flight. To officially reclaim the Guinness World Record, she had to stay in the air for at least five minutes, including both takeoff and landing.

Betty Bromage Says She Enjoys Taking on New Challenges

Explaining why she continues to attempt adventurous activities, Bromage said she enjoys making the most of the things she is still able to do.

"I’d just get bored of life otherwise. I can’t drive, I can’t see very well and I get a bit frustrated. So, I want to do the things I can do," she said.

She also revealed that if she remains fit in the coming years, she would like to try another wing walk.

"If I’m still here in a couple of years time we might have another go," she said.

Record Flight Raises Funds for Cheltenham General Hospital

The latest wing walk was not only about setting another world record. Bromage also used the event to raise money for Cheltenham General Hospital's stroke unit.

She suffered a stroke in August 2025 and said the hospital staff took excellent care of her during her recovery.

"They treated me so well," she said, adding that the stroke affected some of her speech but that "the rest of me is fine."

Advice to Others: Never Say "Can't"

Bromage encouraged people to stay positive and avoid limiting themselves because of age or fear.

"You mustn’t say the word can't, the word can't isn’t right. You say 'I will if I can,' but the word can't is not in my vocabulary, as I’ve said before."

She also reflected on how she first became interested in wing walking.

"People say, 'Oh, I couldn’t do that, I couldn’t do that,' but I never thought I would do. I was 87 when I suddenly thought, 'Well I might, I’ve seen this and I’ve heard of it, let’s go and have a go.'"

Calm Before Takeoff and Thrilling Flight

Shortly before the aircraft took off, Bromage was asked if she felt nervous.

"No, never nervous, I’m not a nervous person... Whatever will be, will be," she replied.

She climbed around 15 feet onto the aircraft wing before being securely strapped in for takeoff.

The flight included impressive aerial manoeuvres, including a loop-the-loop. After returning safely, Bromage described the experience by saying, "Great, bit bumpy, but it was great, yeah."

She also summed up her fearless attitude by asking, "At 97, what have you got to be afraid of?"

Oldest Male Wing Walker Record

The Guinness World Record for the oldest male wing walker is currently held by Harry Heasman, a World War II veteran.

He set the record in May after completing a wing walk at the age of 98. He described the experience as "the most incredible experience of my life" and completed the challenge to raise money for the Lennox Children's Cancer Fund in memory of his wife and son.

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