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Solo 2 Darwin: Following in the Footsteps of Amy Johnson
25 March @ 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
On May 11 2019, Amanda Harrison took off in her biplane to honour the amazing Amy Johnson, who was the first woman to fly solo from the UK to Darwin Australia (over 19 days in 1930).
Most adventurers choose a modern aeroplane these days to fly around the world. Not Amanda! She wanted the authentic adventure; being solo, in a vintage biplane with its open cockpit, exposing her to all the elements. Solo 2 Darwin is one woman’s dream that she never gave up on, even through the dark days of cancer. Amanda is the true spirit of adventure, proving an ordinary person can achieve something extraordinary. Flying through spectacular scenery, extreme temperatures, two engine failures, mountains of bureaucracy, finally having to end this attempt with the warning that she could be shot down.
Amanda Harrison is a commercial pilot with a tremendous sense of adventure. Eighteen months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she started her Solo2Darwin journey in a Tiger Moth. Inspired by her father’s remote-controlled aircraft models, she took her first flight at the age of 14 and gained her PPL after attending university. She then trained to be a commercial pilot and flight instructor specialising in vintage aircraft – an incredible feat for someone with severe dyslexia and with only five per cent of commercial pilots being female.
Though the Solo2Darwin flight is her most ambitious to date, Amanda has achieved success in many international aviation competitions including competing in the Pooleys Dawn to Dusk, the 75th Anniversary Schneider Trophy Race and holding four UK speed records for distance over time.
Amanda believes that ordinary people can do extraordinary things and is a living example of this. She is passionate about inspiring others to keep their dreams alive and live them. “Not everyone has to learn to fly, just follow your own dreams”.
