No woman has flown a De Havilland Moth from England to Australia since Amy Johnson’s epic flight in 1930, but this is set to change.
In December Captain Amanda Harrison will lift off from Duxford Imperial War Museum in Cambridgeshire to Darwin, 9,735 miles away! On board her Tiger Moth biplane she will be using a Trig transponder and radio – vital equipment to enable her to attempt her flight.
Amanda said, “Flying an iconic British aircraft like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, I’m pleased to have installed British avionics too. I really like the quality of my Trig Mode S transponder and VHF radio; their simplicity of operation makes communication and accessing airspace easy from inside a tight and cold cockpit.”
“Flying an iconic British aircraft like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, I’m pleased to have installed British avionics.”
This equipment is one of the few concessions Amy Johnson did not have the advantage of in her Moth. Amanda shared, “Amy Johnson remains my inspiration, as a female pilot I want to inspire others to fly. Aviation has genuinely transformed my life. It forces you to face your fears and conquer them in such a positive way.”
Whilst long haul flight to Australia is an everyday reality, flying in a single engine 73 year old aircraft is a unique challenge. Amanda said, “Whilst I’ve been planning this for years I can’t avoid going over inhospitable terrain, long sea crossings and high mountain ranges.” She will make the trip in 25 stages, maintaining and servicing her Gypsy Minor engine alone. “I expect to face many practical issues but like Amy, but I’m determined to make it to Darwin.”
Trig is delighted to support Amanda as she seeks to inspire others to fly. Jon Roper, Marketing Manager at Trig said “Our TT21 transponder and TY91 radio are a great addition in Amanda’s Moth, compact and light weight they are necessary in modern airspace and ideal for any general aviation aircraft owner. We are pleased to support her and wish her all the very best.”
Amanda brings to this challenge a broad aviation expertise – she’s an author and one of only a small number of female commercial Tiger Moth pilots in the world today. She’s successfully competed in UK distance and speed records and has won the 75th Schneider Trophy Women’s Race. She is raising funds to support her flight through crowdsourcing and hopes many fellow pilots will donate and help her on her way. Find out more details at www.amandajharrison.com
UPDATE – 15th December – sadly due to technical issues Amanda has had to delay her departure until early 2016. She is clearly unhappy that this has been forced upon her, we will share more details as soon as they become available.