UK

041662 - SOLO 2 DARWIN: In The Footsteps of Amy Johnson

By Amanda Harrison

Whilst learning to fly, Amanda Harrison discovered a beautiful vintage Tiger Moth. After researching the amazing pioneers who flew this fragile aircraft, a spark was ignited, and Amanda dreamed of emulating their adventures. On 11th May 2019, she made that dream a reality, taking off from Biggin Hill with the aim of flying to Darwin, Australia in 20 days – just as her idol Amy Johnson had done in 1930. Solo2Darwin documents one woman’s exhilarating journey across the world. Indeed, the launch of her biplane, ‘Solo2Darwin’, received extensive press coverage including print features in The Times and The Telegraph and TV footage broadcasted on ITV and Channel 5 News respectively.

Faced with adversity, navigating through torturous mountain ranges covered in cloud, across seas, dodging thunderstorms and surviving engine failures, Amanda’s route had plenty of highs, lows and drama. Alongside this she also experienced the difficulties of solo-flying a biplane and having to navigate dangerous regions across the world. What makes Amanda’s expedition even more remarkable is that this was all undertaken whilst recovering from cancer.

So strap in and prepare to go on a journey of a lifetime. Twelve countries, 2,600 miles, 46 flying hours, two engine failures, one aeroplane, one female pilot, all equals one amazing adventure!

Amanda Harrison

Amanda Harrison is a commercial pilot with a tremendous sense of adventure. Eighteen months after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she started her journey in a Tiger Moth which led to the publication of Solo2Darwin. Inspired by her father’s remote-controlled aircraft models, she started flying lessons 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 the 75th Anniversary Schneider Trophy Race and being a holder of 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 to the full.