At 97, Betty Bromage is showing that age is no barrier to adventure. The British woman has once again broken her own Guinness World Record to become the world's oldest female wing walker after climbing onto the wing of a vintage biplane and taking to the skies in Gloucestershire, UK.
Bromage completed the record-breaking flight on August 4, 2026, just a year after suffering a stroke. Her return to the skies has made the achievement even more remarkable, with the 97-year-old using the flight not only to chase another record but also to raise funds for the hospital that treated her.
What is wing walking?
Wing walking is an aviation adventure in which participants are securely strapped to a specially designed frame mounted on the upper wing of a vintage aircraft. An experienced pilot then takes the aircraft into the skies while the participant remains secured in position.
The experience is different from the aerobatic wing walking performed during airshows, where professional performers move around the aircraft while it is in flight.
Even recreational wing walkers experience powerful winds and the intense sensation of being outside an aircraft thousands of feet above the ground. The activity is carefully regulated in the UK, with professional pilots, specially modified aircraft and strict safety procedures.
Bromage discovered wing walking at 87
Bromage first took up wing walking at the age of 87 after watching others take part. What began as a one-time adventure quickly became a passion.
She has now completed the experience six times and has repeatedly demonstrated her willingness to take on challenges that many would consider daunting even at a much younger age.
Speaking about her approach to life, Bromage has said that she simply did not want life to become boring. She has often said that the word "can't" isn't part of her vocabulary.
A flight with a purpose
Bromage's latest wing walk was about more than setting another record.
She suffered a stroke in 2025 and received medical care at a hospital. After making her recovery, she decided to use her return to wing walking as an opportunity to raise money for the hospital that treated her.
The stroke affected parts of her speech, but Bromage recovered sufficiently to take on the demanding aerial challenge again.
Her story also reflects a wider trend of older travellers seeking meaningful and adventurous experiences. Seniors are increasingly choosing activities suited to their abilities, from wildlife safaris and scenic helicopter rides to glacier walks and heritage train journeys.
Can tourists try wing walking?
Wing walking is available to tourists in the UK, but only through professional operators and subject to medical and safety requirements.
Participants are secured to the aircraft and accompanied by qualified pilots. The flight itself typically lasts only a few minutes, but the experience can provide an unforgettable adventure.
At 97, Bromage's latest record is a reminder that for some people, the search for adventure does not stop with age.
