Mary gets a 'high' out of flying a plane at 95

0 Comments | Birmingham Post (England), The, Sept 10, 2009

A 95-year-old woman whose family pioneered aviation said she was "on a high" after fulfilling a lifetime ambition to fly a plane.

The lesson at Coventry airport was a surprise birthday present from Mary Brancker's godson Paul Nicholson and his wife Penelope, who live with her in her Four Oaks home.

Miss Brancker got behind the controls of a two-seater Cessna 150, during her half-hour lesson.

Describing her trip to the clouds, she said: "It was terrific. I was lucky in that it was a beautiful summer's day, blue sky, sun shining. I'm not sure how much control I had as it was a training plane. I had controls, so had my instructor.

"But it was lovely. It was just as I had imagined it would be. I suppose you might say, 'I was on a high!'" Following her beginners' class the brave adventurer was presented with a certificate saying she was suitable for further training.

Retired veterinary surgeon Mary has never shied away from adventure. As head vet at Twycross Zoo she shared enclosures with lions, tigers and leopards.

Retired administrator Penelope, aged 65, said: "There's only so much soap you can buy a person. For Mary's 105th we're going to buy her a tandem parachute jump!" Mary's grandmother was one of the first people to fly in a plane when she won a lottery prize in 1913.

CAPTION(S):

Ninety-five-year-old Mary Brancker enjoys her flying lesson in the Cessna 150