Jennifer Murray
Jennifer Murray | |
---|---|
Born | June 1940 |
Known for | First helicopter circumnavigation of the globe by a woman |
Spouse | Simon Murray |
Children | 3 |
Jennifer Murray (born June 1940 in Providence, Rhode Island) circumnavigated the globe aboard a Robinson R44 helicopter the distance of 36,000 miles in 97 days in 2000, earning her the current Guinness World Record for the first helicopter circumnavigation by a woman.
She is the daughter of Sir William Mather, the British industrialist who was chairman of Mather & Platt.[1]
Awards & Honours
- Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame Inductee 2005
- The Gambia issued a postage stamp in her honour in 2004
- Royal Aero Club - 1997 Silver Medal, 2000 Britannia Trophy
- Brabazon Cup
- Harmon Trophy
- Inducted in Forest of Friendship
Fastest circumnavigation
In August 1997 she flew around the world with Quentin Smith in her Robinson R44.[2] On 6 September 2000, Murray became the first woman to make a solo flight around the world in a helicopter. The journey took 97 days.[3][4]
Pole to pole
In 2007 Murray successfully co-piloted a circumnavigating of the Earth by the north and south poles with pilot Colin Bodill.[5][6] Their first attempt in 2003 ended in a near fatal crash in Antarctica.[7][8]
Racing The Planet Nepal
Jennifer is an entrant for Racing the Planet Nepal, a 250 km Ultramarathon starting on 20 November 2011. If she finishes the race she will set a world record as the oldest female to complete an Ultramarathon. She is running to raise funds for The Friends of The Scott Polar Research Institute.
References
- ^ Fiona MacCarthy Last Curtsey p370
- ^ "FAI Record ID #3891 - Speed around the world, eastbound. Class E-1c (Helicopters: take off weight 1000 to 1750 kg), piston" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 20 September 2014.
- ^ http://www.lady.co.uk/ed_showarticle.cfm?relocated=yes&issue=0104 AROUND THE WORLD IN 99 DAYS
- ^ "FAI Record ID #6703 - Speed around the world, eastbound females. Class E-1 (Helicopters), piston" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 20 September 2014.
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/05/24/ngranny24.xml Grandmother of five sets aviation record
- ^ "FAI Record ID #14671 - Speed around the world over both the Earth's poles. Class E1 Helicopters, turbine" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 20 September 2014.
- ^ http://www.royalhumanesociety.org.uk/awards/winners/bodill.htm
- ^ "FAI Record ID #8286 - Speed over a recognised course, New York, NY (USA) - South Pole. Class E-1d (Helicopters: take off weight 1750 to 3000 kg), turbine" Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Retrieved: 20 September 2014.